Wonderful article Wilfred. So easy to follow and understand. It's obvious you love what you do and are very good at it. Can't wait to see more articles from you.
Your friend
Lynn

So happy to see this on Cubits, believe it or not I was going on DG at least once a week just to re-read your instructions, so, now I can clost the D.G.chapter of my life and come back to your new post. Thank you so much my friend and teacher.

Wilfred, Melissa you have certainly done a clear and precise article, first rate.

Whoa, I didn't do much! Just a very rough first draft of the bio.

Wilfred, you did all the tedious work here, and we all thank you so much!!

Thank you both for such a clear, concise, easy to understand article. Your knowledge has helped so many of us and we are so very greatful. Words cannot express how much not only your sharing of your knowledge but your friendship has meant to so many of us. You are truly a wonderful, amazing, selfless man with a heart of gold. Thank you so much for everything you have done for us Wilfred. And Melissa, your are a wonderful, lovely woman who has also given us all so much. Without the two of you, I truly do not think that any of us would be so knowledgeable or addictted to these amazing plants. Thank you both for everything! I only hope that some how, some day we can find a way to show our appreciation for all you two have done.

Friends Always,
Michelle

Holy Smoke Michelle, what a great group of plants, tell me you started them from seed, then PLEASE tell me how the heck you did it if your so new to Desert Rose, I'm green with envy, I'm all ears waiting to hear what you did to those guys.

Thank you, Wilfred and Melissa, for just a wonderful, inspiring article. Your expertise has been invaluable to all of us, especially me. If it wasn't for you and your pictures and encouragement, I would never have gotten into growing DRs. Keep up the good work so that others can benefit!

Sorry Jim, wish those were from seed, the two on the left of the picture are from JT(the back is an A. Obesum the left front is a fuzzy leafed A. Arabicum) the one in the center back in the black pot is a variegated A. Obesum from Chris and the other three are ones I ordered off ebay(Front right and center are A. Obesum and back right is A. Somalense) sorry. I have three batches of the ones I have grown from seed, the oldest are between 3 and 4 months the second set is about 2 months old and the last set is just about 2 weeks old. I also have one more older one that isnt in the picture because its very pathetic looking has no leaves and no blooms. There has been alot of growth on the ones in the pic since I have gotten them so I guess I am doing something right. I do have a few more that stay over at my moms house 3 older ones(including one from JT) some from the 3-4 month old set and some from the 2 month old set. All from JT are approximately 7-9 months old the rest is anyones guess. What I have done, is the planting mix(which I am told is totally wrong) is 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 vermiculite, and 1/3 compost. I water when needed, fertilize with miracle grow about twice a month, have recently started to make a compost tea for them on occasion when I remember, give them lots of sunlight or I keep them under a grow lite and keep them either on top of or right next to my heater since its so cold where I live. Still learning alot from Wilfred, JT, Chris, and Melissa and figuring out things as I go along. I can say that the seedlings under the grow lite are as tall or taller than the oldest seedlings I have and I the only variable is who I got the seeds from and using the grow lite. Ok getting way too longwinded sorry all.

Hi - can I ask how long the seedpod takes to ripen?

LOL, the seed pod takes something like five months to grow and ripen. I think I'm wrong with how many days, but close enough.

Feed Mama plant a balanced fert weakly weekly all along, to nourish the developing seeds.