Ok I'll be the very first contest submission. Don't laugh. We've worked very hard for this.
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I went head over heels in love with a Desert Rose seen at the South Texas Botanical Gardens, Corpus Christi, Texas this past August. Looking back, it wasn't a perfect specimen. The caudex wasn't all that to look at, it was leggy, and sparse with a few blooms. It was sitting in a large black nursery pot. The single red flowers were not numerous, yet the gray branches against the dark green leaves and bright red flowers called out to me. Me, the one with the shady garden, wanted that sun-seeking plant!
I had to know the name of it. I put out my pictures on a local plant exchange site and got my answer right away. By the time I had seen them on Google, I knew I had to have 1-2 or 3 of these gorgeous plants. Not knowing a thing about them, I started reading up on them. This was about the time I discovered ATP site and it's wonderful helpful members. What a goldmine of information on adenium and all things plants! Adenuium-Lovers and Experts helped me to learn about my new love.
In a very short time, I felt confident that I could grow a Desert Rose. I had a sunny place all picked out. It would get nice hot sun but guarded by trees should there be a downpour Houston is so well-known for. The spot would be visible from the street and from many of my windows. Everyone would be able to enjoy the blooms should I be so lucky to have them. Through ATP Members, I not only adopted an awesome mature adenium that thrives to this day, but also 30 bitty seeds.
If you follow me at ATP all on here, you ought to know I am totally challenged when it comes to growing anything from seed. "Challenge" being the operative word here. I gladly accepted the challenge to grow the 30 seeds so that my lovely mature plant would have some company some day. One...I got one sprout. Apparently, Mother Nature saw it fit to bless me for my efforts. And I am the happiest adenium Mommy on Earth!!
My submission is the most beautiful, spoiled rotten, baby adenium in all of the U.S. or at least in Texas, or Harris County, or Kingwood, or on Shady Maple Drive. She sits in a biodegradable newspaper pot filled with half soil and half course, black volcanic sand brought in directly for her from Hawaii, a bit of perlite all surrounded in warmth by a plastic cup. Our cooler Fall temps brought her to an indoor sunny windowsill which will also serve as her winter home. Ladies and Gentleman. May I present to you, my Baby Addie (says proudly)
