Adenium Arabicum – PNB Plant

PNB

Family

Apocynaceae

Origin

Saudi Arabia and Yemen

Description

Adenium arabicum ia a remarkable succulent plant with a grotesquely swollen trunk which resembles a miniature baobab tree. It is a local or morphological form of Adenium obesum, but commonly used to be known as a separate species and very popular with ‘fat plant‘ collectors. Adenium arabicum is similar in appearance to Adenium obesum, but creates a massive, more squat and fat caudex without much differentiation between trunk and branches and is the most succulent and “desert like” species. The fleshy trunks and short naked branches are also somewhat more coloured in purple to dark brown. It also has larger thick fleshy leaves shiny on the upper and lower surface, unlike Adenium obesum and is an extremely drought tolerant plant. Flowers, similar in many ways to those of Frangipani, range from pink to red and sparkles when sunlight shines on them.

Watering

Adeniums do not like both over-watering and drying-out. They like a neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must.

Water plants preferably in the early morning, and allow them to drink up throughout the day. Watering can be done daily to every few days. Never allow your plants to sit in a saucer of water, neither allow them to dry out too often – this causes adeniums to go into early dormancy. Add stones to the pot s bottom to ensure comparatively better drainage.

Light

Adeniums, also known as Bangkok kalachuchi , plants require bright sunlight for proper development. If they are growing in cloudy locations, they become spindly and develop less vibrant blooms. Some species can withstand 30-50% shade and the sun can burn their foliage.

Potting Mix

A mix of course sand, coco-peat amended with perlite (3 parts mix to 1 part perlite) is adequate under most conditions to improve aeration and drainage

Fertilizer

To make your plant develop a large swollen base/ trunk, you need a good quality fertilizer. Fertilizer requirement for swelling up trunks is also used to increase flowering. It shouldn’t be too high in nitrogen, the middle number should be the highest. Never apply fertilizer directly on roots and do not liquid feed when a plant is thirsty: always water first slightly to avoid root burn and leaf drop.

Landscape Uses

Bosai, Container Plant