Adenium sp. 'Iron Man' (Iron Man Desert Rose)

These adenium hybrids are quite unnique as they have unusual color for Adenium - yellow. Original species of Adenium were limited by pink, white, and red colors and shades. Just a few years ago, yellow hybrids were selected in Thailand and at first were considered a myth. Now we have them, and every year more and more yellow hybrids appear on the market.

Adeniums have many spectacular hybrids. The basic culture is very similar to orchids. A small pot with excellent drainage is a must. Adeniums do not like both over-watering or drying-out. There is a little secret of how to create a weird shape of the base: lift the plant a bit every time you re-pot the plant, so that the upper part of roots will be a little exposed. The plant will form more roots that will go down. To make your plant develop a large swollen base/trunk, you'll need a good quality fertilizer. Fetilizer requirement for swelling up trunks is also used to increase flowering. It shouldnt be too hight in nitrogen, the middle number should be the highest. Never apply fertilizer directly on roots and do not liquid feed when a plant is thirsty: always water first slightly to avoid root burn and leaf drop. Do not wet leaves. Adeniums need lots of light for heavy flowering. Most hybrids and species start blooming in the spring when the conditions are warm and days get longer, and continue blooming through the fall and winter in warmer climates. Adeniums like a neutral to hard water. Acidic water tends to sour the soil too fast and may cause root rot. Water plants preferably in the early morning, and allow them to drink up throughout the day. Watering can be done daily to every few days. Never allow your plants to sit in a saucer of water, but don't let them to dry out too often - this causes adeniums to go into early dormancy.

Adenium 'Iron Man' is a cultivated adenium hybrid noted for its strong visual contrast and clearly defined flower pattern. Plants form a sturdy caudex with a compact to moderately vigorous crown that retains a balanced structure with minimal shaping. Flowers are medium to large, usually single to semi-double, opening with a dominant warm yellow to yellow-orange base that fills most of the petal surface. As the bloom matures, deep red to burgundy edging and veins gradually develop along the petal margins.