How to Grow Fat Trunks in Desert Roses (Adenium) - The Bonsai Supply

[@amiekyte44]

Is there an update on this plant? I would love to see it. I just got 2 of these yesterday.

[@TheBonsaiZone]

Awesome Jerome!

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Nigel Saunders, The Bonsai Zone thank you Nigel 🙏🌳 We hope you are well.

[@jersonhilario6379]

I spent a lot of time looking for a sensible and practical bonsai tutorials...and i found only mr nigel saunders and mr. jerome...although you guys have different approach (esp. in terms of using wires), both are useful here in our country- Philippines 🇵🇭

[@JonGarrood]

After repotting, would trimming the branch help thicken the caudex?

[@zoutewand]

I reccomend using a grit based for the top since the parts exposed to air will rot quicker if they sre reburied. I do it too, but i add aquarium gravel (non porous, holds no water) to the top layer :)

[@melissacanfield6570]

Hi Jerome, I enjoy your videos much. I have been wondering also about just letting the adeniums dry out during the winter months rather than keeping them in soil. I have about 8 alive now but lost a few (several actually) last winter from root rot -- I did lightly water them about once a month, they were kept in warm greenhouse in soil. Would it be safer to let them dry out/go dormant during the winter months in the warm shade of the greenhouse? You thoughts ~ Thank you!

[@brucetominello7440]

I grow all of my Adeniums in your Bonsai mix and they love it. I water twice daily in the high summer here in Scottsdale Arizona and they are healthy and blooming profusely. I use Peter’s 20-20-20 every 2 weeks alternating with Super Thrive and Epsom Salts.

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Awesome! Thank you for the feedback!

[@mokajones74]

So happy i found this video, i was just about to repot my addenium with the roots and trunk slightly elevated from the soil

[@moya23]

Can you repot with moist soil?

[@wadechampion4008]

Is there any particular time of year to repot like this as I’m in SW Florida?

[@22knowing]

Ok. Perfecct I have four small to medium plants that have been hanging for 3 to 4 months. What do I do with all the tiny roots do I just cut the majority of them off, apply, cinnamon, and then pot it the way you suggested above. I had cut the tiny roots by half before I hung them.

[@smithy-p6o]

mine grew its leaves back before it even started to shrivel up idk if i should water it or let it fully dry out first

[@muchacho19886]

Thanks for the video, Jerome. I have a question though, why didnt you also chop down this leggy growth while you repot?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hey, I want the tree to continue to thicken so the longer the main trunk branch grows up vertically, the faster the tree will thicken up.

[@clydenethomas59]

Watch Sony Le’s videos

[@carolficorilli9768]

do you do videos for the Adenium Arabicum?

[@gianisaerialuniverse-jn2np]

Hair dryer and or electric fan. Dries super fast. Did with Cacti cutting years.

[@thugiangvu1]

Thank You very much for Showing us From US and Canada

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Thank you!

[@user-od2tg5nr5h]

Hello, is there a way to make the desert rose more branchy without cutting it?

[@magentamagenta1274]

@user-od2tg5nr5h You can prune and also graft. Look up flat grafting or grafting desert rose, lots of info. You can graft three or four stems to produce lots of branches.

[@maryoverton1126]

When should I repot? I'm in south alabama and I have three desert rose that I want to thicken.

[@PlantCraftDIY]

hi Jerome.. the knowledge is very useful 😍 I want to ask, how to make a new branch on this Adenium plant how?

[@chariotwofilthy8374]

Hi edagdwg thanks for sharing this story of what happens when you enjoy what you do I'm just meeting you but I love this plant so when I see your video I stop to watch Linda j peace stay prayed up and safe 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@chariotwofilthy8374]

Were are you working from I'm in south Carolina I have two not flowing ☮️💯 Linda j peace

[@kennethkirova4232]

Cut one two will grow, hail hydra!!!!

[@kuyagalvlog.5725]

Nice and good job bro

[@michaelwhyte8529]

Very helpful i might try the drying technique w mine. I have a jade hanging up at the moment cos i did some big root cuts and i thought i should let them seal up before i repot- is that correct? If so how long till i should pot it up and when should i start watering, its mid spring here in Queensland

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

michael whyte hey Michael, good thought process on letting the jade dry out a bit before potting. You can pot it right away in a good course bonsai soil mix and keep the tree warm. Start to water when the tree starts to grow on its own. This technique only applies to jades

[@michaelwhyte8529]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply cheers jerome

[@michaelwhyte8529]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply i hung it laundry for 5 days, it looked really wilted, planted and watered it bout 3 days ago, hasn't sucked up the water and still looks/feels pretty flacid. If it was anything but a jade i reckon it would be dead. I wont water it now till it starts growing which is what u said, i know.

[@carolficorilli9768]

What about seedling?How can you get the caudex to grow big? What do you do with them for that?

[@diliaur]

Would love an update video as it’s been 2 years!

[@mirandusings]

Does the dry out technique work on other succulent species to dramatically increase trunk thickness?

[@B-hm7rg]

Yeah the plant he is using is from the succulent family

[@davidsauma2574]

Awesome Video Jerome Thanks I live in South Florida like you whats the best time or widow of time ( from what month to what month is best to repot a Desert Rose since we are entering October and they are about to go dormit and stop drinking water I also best time of year to cut stems I heard that if you cut the stems it will slow down the getting thicker of the cortex thanks for all your informative videos!

[@bonsai-loveandpassion7695]

So GREAT AND interesting video. I also HAVE some of this style of TREE

[@jayscore7182]

These are indestructible

[@bhaviksolanki7113]

how to save flower buds and what is the best age or time for grafting adenium ?

[@paulk5054]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

[@JamesEndoSanJoseCARealEstate1]

Thanks Jerome. So it is better to submerge the caudex then to raise to grow fatter caudex? Cool! What about cutting all the branches down to the base, does that help too? What do you use for fertilizer and how frequently? Be cool to see this caudex since it's been two years since you made this video. Thanks.

[@onetry7406]

Is there any technique that will encourage a caudex to form on a plant started from a cutting?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hi, cuttings unfortunately don't form a thick caudex. They will only grow lateral roots.

[@meherprasad7422]

Hi kindly share me what fertilizer to use frequently to adeniums to grow fast and heathly

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hi Mehr, this is the fertilizer we use: www.amazon.com/Bonsai-Fertilizer-Tons-Nutrients-Health/dp/B07K3RV66F/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=bonsai+fertilizer&qid=1601484742&sr=8-9

[@SalimAnsari-qu3ig]

Sir please make a video of its update.

[@sleshanigam]

Please update a video on pruning and regrowing these in pots. I have a Desert Rose(remind me of singer Sting) Adenium since 2008 and now it is 2025 so I think I did an ok job since it has survived under my wing. Proud . But now want to prune and multiply it. Pl guide. I am from India.

[@laflorpreferida]

Thank you for sharing your expertise with us. 🙏

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Thank you for watching Dulce!

[@laflorpreferida]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply 😊

[@Easywayfirst]

Hi, Jerome If I plant the desert rose into ground, will it grow faster and give bigger roots? Thanks

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Wu Jackson you can absolutely grow it in the ground.it I prefer to grow in a container as I can control the growth more. Growing plants in the ground can be difficult as you might get root rot and also collecting is always tricky.

[@JonGarrood]

thanks mate subscribed

[@munkey32507]

Thank you for the video! I just got your soil that I ordered, it literally came in two days! I am repotting all my desert roses for winter (Tampa, FL) I also bought the fertilizer you put in one of the other videos from your store, can I use the fertilizer on my DR that aren't dropping leaves and going dormant, or should I wait for spring to fertilize? This is my first winter with a real collection. Most are obesum. Also, with your soil, do I still withhold watering here in Tampa? Or reduce to 1 x a month? Thanks!

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Michelle Lorenzen hi Michelle, thank you very much for your orders, I’m glad they arrived so quickly. Yes you can continue to fertilize the ones that keep growing throughout the winter. I water all dormant desert roses about once a month, and the active growing ones I continue to water.

[@samueldcostawardenfromthed6855]

Hi . Hope you are great. How to get fat trunk in twin trunk adenium. It seven years old. Please help me out. Good video. 👍 Great work. I am inspired to start a shefferla(virgated)bonsai from your videos.

[@matthewhornby6065]

Your a legend

[@karinpetersen8330]

Wonderful tutorials

[@fucious70]

Thank you for the advice. Dry out for 5-6 months? Wow. How often can we cycle this? Once a year, 2-3 years?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hey Andrew, you should only do this once. it is extremely stressful for the plant. Only do 5-6 months in the tropics.

[@Eddie_freeflow504]

I did the hang dry method early spring and it is definitely rewarding. Check out his other video on it and just follow his direction.

[@fucious70]

@@Eddie_freeflow504 thank you. I'm going to try it and see how it will supersize

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

andrew nguyen Andrew I’m sorry I didn’t respond correctly to your question. The drying time really depends on a lot of things such as age of Adeniums, size and specie. In Florida we get away with drying for 1-2 month but in a cooler climate you might have to wait longer and if it is a big guy than 5-6 might be necessary. However, you should only apply this technique once.

[@misstrixie8744]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply Thanks Jerome. I have a defoliated DR with major amputation of roots and caudex hanging upside down in a dark closet. Does the drying time frame change if you have cut the caudex?

[@nguvu_za_ndani]

Great video mine looks just like this. Now that the weather is cooler where I reside do you recommend waiting for spring for this transition?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Paula Martell if it is just a slip potting, meaning you just move it from one pot to a bigger one without disturbing the root system then yes.

[@bethdietz7559]

Hi Jerome, I just repotted a small desert rose a couple weeks ago. How long should I wait to try this technique? Thanks for all the great info

[@sandiago7564]

How's the Progress of your plant?

[@pn3940]

poking like that isn't going to damage the roots? I would just shake it as I fill, and spray water.

[@rbadilloart8496]

How long can you leave a desert rose out of the soil? I have a huge one that developed some root rot. I cleaned it up and put fungicide like you said and have had it out of the soil for weeks. I am afraid to pot it and it get rot again. Also I am an artist and would love to do a painting for you and your beautiful wife 😊 look me up and let me know🙂

[@mungs1104]

Now it's been two years... Where's the update?

[@jersonhilario6379]

5-6 months hanging in the shade?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Yes, the length of drying depends on caudex size and out come preference. The smaller the caudex and the smaller the desired outcome, the less amount of drying time is required.:)

[@jersonhilario6379]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply thank you so much Sir Jerome...i have not missed any of your weekly videos.

[@jersonhilario6379]

@@WeareTheBonsaiSupply mr jerome and mr nigel are the most practical and sensible bonsai artist i really admire...thanks for every bit of knowledge in every videos...

[@jetlaggedchef6806]

Hi Jerome! Thanks for the video. I'm a bit confused... I've seen a few videos of people who seem to be experts with adeniums and they say to get a thick trunk, you do the exact opposite.... every 3 or so months, you repot and move the bonsai up a half inch. Can you explain the difference in methodology?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hey Christopher, there are so many techniques, and they all work well. This technique is pretty much the same. I will repot or up pot in about a year.

[@dawsonparadise7132]

New tree every 3 months for sure, raising about two inches each time, tress two years and older can be moved up once a year. I find a lot of benefit in using shallow wide bonsai pots to spread the roots wide. Pruning branches down to two inch increments will also radically increase the caudex size as well as branch and flower production.

[@erikwoods1425]

@@dawsonparadise7132how long do the branches have to be in order to cut back to 2 inches?

[@99dlavall]

What do you use for fertilizer and how often do you fertilize?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

This is the fertilizer we use. We apply it every 30 days. Check out this list Bonsai Fertilizer from The Bonsai Supply www.amazon.com/shop/wearethebonsaisupply?listId=3Q6U804X6C0SV&ref=inf_list_own_wearethebonsaisupply

[@chandansaha9472]

Plant distributer in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh.please send me details of rates,size etc

[@michaelbahr7267]

what would you use for soil for 'Swaziland Princess' Sabi Star Gemini Desert Rose SEEDS left a like

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Michael Bahr hey Michael, this is the soil I would use Bonsai Soil All Purpose Mix | Fast Draining Pre Blend Plant | Pumice, Lava, Calcined Clay and Pine Bark ● Potting Pre Mixed Bonsai Plant Soil Mixture by The Bonsai Supply (2 Quart Bag) www.amazon.com/dp/B07M68B4JG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-MuDFbY6FDMWZ

[@gazepskotzs4]

No need to put the caudex in the earth, only thing that makes caudex really expand fast is to use a huge pot so their roots can grow freely. I grow them since 2001.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Excuse me, I have to go out an unpot my seedlings and pot them way deeper. Good thing the video was short. 😉 What is your opinion on cutting an Adenium down near the caudex? I've got three seedlings that just have a single trunk, I'd like them to develop several off the caudex. I assume this is something that should be done in spring in south Florida?

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hey Michael, wait until the seedlings have lignified before you go ahead and unpot them. You want to do this in the summertime when it is hottest. When you cut your adenium down, you will slow down growth and thickening. The more you let them grow, the more they will thicken up.

[@nc8414]

This guy never turned his plant to make it grow straight. Plants grow towards the sun.

[@AcuyNursery]

👍👍👍

[@judypolstra]

I thought almost never watering it was the key???

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Hey Judy, quite the opposite. Check out my crash course on Adenium, I talk quite a bit about watering in the course. onlinebonsai.teachable.com/p/adeniumbootcamp

[@troytorman1131]

Did you say 5-6 MONTHS?!

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

Troy Torman hey Troy, I sure did but that’s on the long end of drying. In Florida we can let them dry for 1-2 month to get the same effect but if you are in a cooler climate than 5-6 month might be necessary but that all depends on size of the caudex and what type of Adenium it is.

[@sarrakitty]

They are desert plants. They survive months and months without water in their native environment. I'm not to surprised they can withstand that, being without water or soil.

[@Aoedeth]

First!

[@WeareTheBonsaiSupply]

???

[@happyhappycatus]

COMPLICATED!!!! LOL.