"Cereus-validus..." wrote in message
om...
How can you read your beloved RHS encyclopedia with your head up your ass,
Franzy?

You obviously don't have enough sense to check things out for yourself
rather than depend on the second hand lame opinions in some hack picture
book.


"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Cereus-validus..." wrote in message
. ..
"Franz Heymann" wrote in message
...

"Stewart Robert Hinsley" wrote in
message
news In article , Franz Heymann
writes

"Matthew J.E. Durkin" wrote in
message
...
Hi All,
I have just germinated a desert rose seed, the seedling is
about
3"
tall now
with 2 leaves on top. I still have it in my propagator.

I am totally ignorant about this. What is a desert rose? I
know it
only as a mineral. See for example the Hamlyn Guide to
Minerals,
rocks and fossils.

It's a name for Alygoyne hakeifolia, and also Aeonium obesum.
And
(with
Sturt's name in front) Gossypium sturtianum. I guess it's the
Aeonium
which is meant.

According to the RHS encyclopedia it is Adenium obesum which is
the
desert rose.
According to the same book, the only Aeoniums listed are
arboretum,
haworthii and tubuliforme

You better get rid of that RHS encyclopedia of yours, Franz. Its
loaded with
mistakes.

Thanks for the advice, but I'll stick to the RHS book.

That's Aeonium arboreum and Aeonium tabuliforme not the gogglty gook
you
wrote. There are many more species in the genus than just the three
you
mention.

Google on the combination containing both phrases "Adenium obesum"
"Desert rose"
and you will find 3,800 reasons why I will stick to the RHS book
rather than your flawed opinions.

Franz





Let me clarify!

Desert Rose = Adenium Obesum
no questions or further discussion on that point required!!!
It is nothing to do with Aeonium.

As it turns out there are now lots of varieties and cultivars of the Adenium
as it is a popular houseplant in Asia. Why it hasn't caught on here I'm not
sure, but I bought some seeds to see if I could find out!
The reason I mentioned bonsai, is that when grown indoors in a small pot, it
grows as a miniature - i.e. a small plant rather than a very large bush
which is how it is formed in the wild. They keep a nice compant shape and
cover themselves in pretty 2" flowers twice a year. I have always been
interested in more unusual plants, and in the adenium, I think I have found
one of my favourites (though so far I only have a seedling!).
I'll try to remember to let everyone know how it's looking in a years time.
For now, rather astonishingly, after 1 week the seedling is about 3" tall
and about ¼ (one quarter) of an inch wide. Apparently it is a very fast
grower for the first couple of years, after which it slows down.

The previous comment about rot is mostly correct. The plant grows in very
well drained and dry conditoins (desert) ... It stores water in its
trunk/stem. Therefore it must be grown in a well drained mix, and kept
fairly dry. However to germinate it needs quite damp conditions. Hence my
original question about when to reduce the moisture!

If anyone out there has one growing I'd be intrigued to find out how well it
grows here indoors in the UK...

Thanks all,
Matt