Plant with caudex - Plant Encyclopedia Results

The first double flowered variety of Adenium that we obtained was bright red color. After growing simple pink varieties, it seemed the most exotic flower. Soon enough other colors were hybridized and white and pink double flowers came to the market. Within just a year or two after that, all the sudden all kinds of colors appeared, including striped, dotted, spotted... The rainbow of hybrid adeniums nowadays is unbelievable!

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. Fertilizer requirement for swelling up trunks is also used to increase flowering. It shouldn't be too high 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.

See Photo gallery of exotic varieties and Thai Adeniums - milti-colored, multi-grafted.

See article about Adenium.

Xerosicyos pubescens is a dioecious perennial, caudiciform plant, forming a large caudex from which creeper deciduous vines characterized by tendrils emerge. The leaves are lobed, finely hairy, and semi-succulent and die back in the dry season and during prolonged periods of drought.

In cooler climates, Brachychiton rupestris can be grown in a pot if it is kept in a sunny position and watered regularly. The soil should be well drained and a slow release fertilizer applied in spring. If the temperature drops below zero, the pot can be moved to a sheltered area or moved indoors. The plant should be kept in a bright and sunny location, but sheltered from the wind. The pot should be watered regularly during the growing season and fertilized every few months. In winter, the plant should be kept dry and only watered occasionally. Pruning can be done to shape and maintain the size of the plant and to remove any dead or damaged branches. With careful attention, the bottle tree can be used as a Bonsai specimen. The bottle shaped trunk may start to be noticeable at around 5-8 years of age. The bell-shaped flowers are yellowish in clusters at the ends of the branches but are not especially conspicuous. The flowers are followed by seed capsules which contain many large seeds.

Overall, the Queensland Bottle Tree is an attractive, unusual and easy to grow plant.

It is a small shrub with a caudex, native to Ecuador, typically growing 2 to 5 feet tall. It's an exceptional small evergreen shrub for semi-shade to full sun areas. It can adapt to a wide range of soil types.

Monolena sp. prefers moderate water and does best when it gets regular moisture, although it can survive in drought conditions. It should be pruned to keep the size manageable.

The flowers of Monolena sp. are pink and white or off-white. They bloom throughout the year and they last for up to six weeks. Its ornamental foliage is evergreen, with a waxy surface that reflects the sun.

Monolena sp is usually grown in USDA Zone 9 to 11.

It prefers a well-drained soil, plenty of water in growth and some sun. The caudex will grow to 30 centimetres in diameter.

Fouquieria columnaris, or Boojum Tree, is a small tree that is native to the Baja California Peninsula. It does best in a full sun location and moderate water. For colder regions, or regions with dry conditions, it is best to grow this plant in a pot. It is a deciduous species, so it sheds its leaves during the winter season, and grows new leaves during the summer rainy season.

The Boojum Tree can reach a height of 10-20 feet, with a spiny trunk that can reach up to 12 inches in diameter. Its branches are covered with many thorns, making it a great choice for security purposes. The leaves are small, with a silvery-green color, and a feather-like texture. In the spring and summer, clusters of yellow and orange flowers appear, which attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

This plant is well suited to USDA Zones 9-11. It will require more water in the summer, but can tolerate dry conditions in the winter. Pruning should be done in the late winter to remove the dead branches and flowers. This will help it maintain its shape and encourage new growth.

Overall, the Boojum Tree is a unique and attractive plant that is quite easy to grow in the right conditions. It requires minimal maintenance, and its thorns make it an ideal choice for security purposes. Whether you are growing this plant outdoors or in a pot, it can provide your garden with plenty of beauty, color and charm.