Caring for your Desert Rose (Adenium spp.).mp4

Garden volunteer Tom Gatz discusses the care of Adenium spp. or desert roses. For more gardening tips and information, visit http://www.dbg.org/gardening-horticul....

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  Education

[Jennifer Weber]

I live in Utah, zone 6. I have a desert rose that was thriving until I brought it inside for the winter when the temperatures started dipping below 40. My son pulled all the leaves off. There weren't any flowers yet. The branches are squishy, which I assumed meant it wasn't getting enough water. But now there are fungus gnats all over it. Does this mean it's dead? Please help. I plan on taking it outside again when the temps are consistently over 40 at night.

[DBGVision]

We're checking with Tom and will let you know what he thinks.

[DBGVision]

Part 1: According to Tom soft branches can be a sign of either lack of water (address with a light watering once a month until it warms up) or it can be a sign of rotting (usually the skin of the plant splits if you press it). Either way, a little water won't make it any worse, since if it is rot it can't be reversed. If just the branches are soft but the main trunk is still firm, it may just be lack of water.

[DBGVision]

Part 2: Also, it is not unusual to have some branch tip die-back during the winter dormancy. Trim them back to green wood in the spring. Good luck!

[Denise Garcia]

hi i was just wondering when is the best time to plant a desert rose. starting from seed..

[DBGVision]

Hi Denise - check our gardening resources page on our website or try calling our Desert Plant Hotline at 480 481.8120 Monday - Friday, 10 - 11:30 a.m. Or, email your questions to planthotline@dbg.org. Good luck!

[funnyfarm2000]

I have used liquid Miracle Grow and then Osmocoat as a time release fertilizer.