SANDYS GUIDE …..FOR THOSE NEEDS ON GROWING YOUR ADENIUM WITHOUT TO MUCH FUSS TO ENJOY.

Hi my name is Sandy and I have an addiction of Adeniums other known as Desert Rose. I have been collecting different Adenium Hybrids for a about 23 yrs and obtained my first Pinks 26 years ago. My aim was to obtain every colour. Adenium Hybrid colours are never ending which has just kept me collecting for so many years.
We have gone from Common Pink Adenium to different variations of Pink, then came along Reds and Whites Adenium  for many years. From there the Adenium colours now are vibrant with purples, yellows, blacks and now orange.
Yellows Adeniums  has been a much wanted colour for many years by Collectors even though they are not stable as yet but in the future should progress further. Blacks is a want for every Collector they are glorious on opening but fade very quick sometimes a matter of 12hrs they will fade down to a Dark Purple then a maroon or down to red. There are some that will keep there colour a good time but few and far between. Most times these will be purchased by Seedling and Graft Form to reproduce many .
Doubles, Triples and Quad + Adeniums are the next generation Need of a collector which I have had much joy of achieving and producing my own colours.
The growth of an Adenium over years is very rewarding watching the shape of the caudex twist platt and twist. Every Adenium has its own characteristic.
Over the years I have gone through many thousands of Pink Adeniums to achieve the extrordinary colours.
I DO NOT SELL ANY ADENIUM  UNTIL FLOWERED TRUE TO COLOUR, that is my motto .I sift and you get what you pay for. GRAFTING is some way of guaranteeing the same as the mother plant , I do not sell 2 inch grafts like others I like to give a descent grafted Adenium for customer even if a  fraction dearer than the 2 inch grafts. I do not sell till very stable for customers and transit aprox 2mths after grafted
Be aware of ADENIUM FAKE SELLERS selling SEEDS, Many send pink seeds as colours and 12mths go by before you know the what it is.
Adeniums crosspollinate and carry the natural pink gene so there is no guarantee till flowered. Handpollinating is a better percentage but still no guarantee.
Grafting is a pleasure for me like a relaxation, I graft rare hybrids from my own stock that is limited to share with other collectors. I do take orders on many  and do have some grafted stock on hand, also multigrafts gives me a challenge I enjoy.
Adeniums are known to many to need very little attention, I think you only get out what you put in. Even though they are known as a drought plant they still need water as now we have so many hybrids they are not what have been growing in the desert for years.
In hot summer days you can water twice a week in small pots if they have dried out, in larger pots will need less water. Older Adeniums with large caudex needs less watering in longer intervals.

SEEDS. — Many ask about planting their seeds and it is up to each individual . I myself use Searles Seed Raising Mix I had 1/3 Coarse River Sand to it . I would put 3/4 of the container you wish to use with many holes in bottom for drainage .You can soak your seeds for 3 hrs previous which can help the time of popping their heads up. I would then spray the mix with a spray bottle of water then lay the seeds Horizontal then 1 to 2MLof mix on top and spray again. For good germination temperature should be no less than 26 degress . I keep mine out of the sun in a area with good sunlight and keep moist till all have popped their heads up. I usually would spray 3  times a day in hot summer

 MEDIUM MIX I USE and love it — 60LT ROCKY POINT PREMIUM MIX , 3/4 BUCKET COARSE RIVER SAND, 1 BUCKET JUMBO PERLITE ,  1 BUCKET SMALL COCO CHIP,   BLOOD AND BONE PREMIUM 2 HANDFULLS.

Every person may not use exactly the same mix as you if something works for you continue using it DONT change as many have their own beliefs on what Adeniums should be planted in.

Every climate is different growing conditions and different Media needs  .It is important not to purchase a potting mix with wetting agent, Cactus and Succulent Mix is a good mix but I still would add  5ml Quincan and Coarse River Sand as it is more richer than many years ago , this will help with reducing rot in wet months as we have in my Area.
Fertiliser is I believe  to obtain the best out of your Adenium, there are many that can be used keeping in mind the Nitrogeon Level is not high. A balance is required NPK. Some products I like to use is Seasol, Powerfeed ,  Organic Life ,Nitrophoska, Osmocote, Orchid Booster, Potash, 5 in 1,Thrive and Flourish. This is just a guide I have suggested if you have something that works for you keep using. Each Individual has there own ways of raising.

I hope you enjoy my collection and the Adeniums for Sale.
WATCHOUT FOR NEW HYBRIDS OFFERING  ON MY “FOR SALE , GRAFTS AND SEEDLINGS”. MANY COLOURS MAYBE  OUT OF STOCK AND MANY TIMES OFFER SMALLER AMOUNTS  OF EACH DEPENDING ON MOTHER PLANT SIZE.

BLACKS AND PURPLES – These are very exciting colours and are far and few between most times i only will offer grafts, these colours vary in winter and do not show the true beauty of there colour. Blacks in particular will be sometimes just the red and in the high humidity and summer show the true black . Some purples also vary and will look a pinky purple but it is out of the growers control. Purple by seed is a low percentage even lower than the yellow percentage rate.

MULTI PETAL – Multi petals are confusing for many people as they can flower first time Double and other times will flower Single, Multi petals can even be Quads or Triples and flower Single or Double at times even with many different Layers of Petals on one time on each flower. It is a problem all over the world that Growers face, I suggest Fertilise every Fortnight to get the best out of the Multi petals.

WINTER WATERING – Through winter watering is dropped back as it becomes cooler the Adeniums absorbs the due off the foliage and many Adeniums will go Dormant which water  is not needed , Adeniums with foliage just a  light spray every couple of weeks Depending on size of plant and pot and  depending on the climate you live in. In August late our Adeniums decide to go in grow mode again and water can be increased.

PESTS —  Spidermite — I myself find Stealth the best remedy to remove them many others like Killamite it is your choice what works for you..

                    Mealy Bug , Aphids  — Confidor , Maverick, Rosegun are a few i recommend on the everyday small Collector .

Sandy Mathews

email : sandysadeniums@bigpond.com

Ph. 0400575681

Cairns. Far North Queensland

SANDYSADENIUMS HAS THE COPYWRIGHT OF ALL PHOTOS .  MAY NOT BE USED OTHER THAN PERSONAL USE WITH PERMISSION

SORRY THERE ARE QUARRANTINE RESTRICTIONS ON SOME INTERSTATES . CERTIFICATES ARE NEEDED FOR NT AND W.A  SPRAYED BY QUARRANTINE BEFORE THEY LEAVE AND AT A COST TO BUYER WHICH IS VERY AFFORDABLE AS I SEND MULTIPLE ORDERS AT ONCE , EMAIL ME IF YOU ARE WISHING TO GO THROUGH WITH THE PROCEDURE FOR THE SMALL COSTS FOR AS MANY PLANTS AS YOU WISH FOR .