I love sharing my experiences. And if people disagree with my input, I hope they speak up. It really is okay to agree on disagreeing.

We all like to learn. So sharing and perhaps disagree is a good thing. We can learn from that.

@Adeniumgirl
Good morning, Willeke! Was missing you. How are your crib babies this morning?

Good morning Kadie. Got just out of bed. So I must admit that I did not look at my crib babies yet. I guess they are just fine.

Jen, just a quick question, what kind of medium did you use to germinate your seeds?

Deebie said:Jen, just a quick question, what kind of medium did you use to germinate your seeds?

I used the vermastile only in a few and cactus soil mixed with vermastile in some . I didn't do anything fancy except my seeds are fresh .

Sphagnum/peat moss retains moisture...but they take a long time to rehydrate if allowed to dry out. So if the media is allowed to dry out, then it is best to place the adenium "crib" in a pan of water for several minutes to rehydrate the moss.

I have said so many times...do not allow seedling media to dry out! I water mine every other day (in my climate) if no rain. My seedling cribs are 8" wide, 3" deep panterra bowls...the media doesn't get a chance to dry out completely.

My 18 plants were potted up when they were about 4 weeks old and from what I read, I did everything wrong. I put them in 3-4" clay pots and used pretty much a "cactus/succulent" mix, heavy in sand and gravel. I just thought they were typical succulents. They all seemed to grow well though. Beginner's luck I guess.

I recently re-potted them all and now they are in 4" plastic, cone-type pots. My mix is more like the mix I use to grow my terrestrial orchids: 1/4 milled sphagnum, 1/4 Black Kow, 1/4 extra-coarse perlite, and 1/4 cypress mulch (washed). I guess most folks that are serious about growing/propagating plants has their favorite media mix. I wanted a well-draining mix yet one that retained some moisture.

I see absolutely no sign of any budding. Is that bad? They are all about 7 months old.

No, not bad not to see budding at 7 months. I have several more plants that are nearing 8 months old that are not showing any buds. Some trees are pre-programmed/predisposed to flower earlier than others.

OK, that sounds good to me. I always hoped that I would see some flowers this summer, so there's still lots of time.

I keep my fingers crossed for you Ken. I know I will not have buds ofcourse this summer. Just started to late ofcourse. So I have to wait I am afraid.

Maybe so, maybe not. I see that some have 8 month old plants that bloom.

I guess it also has to do with the climate a bit, and with the taproots I think.

One day my "experiment" will show results. I will know more then what to expect when doing different techniques.

That is the good thing about experimenting. I will also do some with taproot, and some cut taproot. Just to see.

We can compare notes, Willeke.

Yes, but I am not transplanting right now. I first have to get my heater in my greenhouse. So I have space to put them all. Also I think it might be better till spring when they are more active.

Yes, I can understand that, Willeke. I control my climate and can sort of fool Mother Nature. My plumeria are starting to put on fresh leaves. I have one that has the beginning of an inflo stalk. I guess they think it is spring.

That is always nice. I really do need heating there. Otherwise it is to cold in winter and to moist ofcourse. With all that rain that is falling. The heating will keep that out.

The blooming of the Adeniums is hit and miss as to the age. I figure they will bloom when they are ready. The age can be as early as 5 months or up to years.
Not going to get into reasons for this as they are too vast, environment, climate, etc......

It's good that you are testing the waters with yours seedlings with doing different cultural practices.

Rick