Adenium Desert Rose Plant Seed Pod Collection and Usage

2 comments by Sadabahar Greens Pvt. Ltd.

If you relish the bulbous, above ground caudex of the Adenium desert rose seeds (Adenium obesum) and want to add more plants to your collection, then harvesting desert rose seed pods is the way to go. While these African desert dwellers can be propagated by cuttings, starting seeds from Adenium desert rose plants is the only way to guarantee the new plants will develop the enlarged stem-like structure. Knowing when to pick seed Adenium seed pod is the key to success though.

Collection of Adenium Desert Rose Seeds

Adenium-Desert-Rose-Plant-Seed-Pod-Collection-and-Usage-Urban-PlantsHarvesting desert rose Adenium seed pods takes patience. These slow-maturing plants can take many months to blooming flowers and several years to produce seed pods. Plants as young as four may form seed pods, but obtaining viable Adenium desert rose seeds often requires a plant at least eight years old. 

The first step for seed production is encouraging a mature desert rose plant to flower. In hot climates, outdoor desert rose plants bloom twice per year. Potted Adenium plants will follow this same schedule if provided with plenty of sunshine. Too much shade or an oversized planter can reduce flowering production of desert rose plants. Environmental factors can also influence the formation of Adenium desert rose seeds. 

Right Time to Pick Desert Rose Seed Pods

Adenium-Desert-Rose-Plant-Seed-Pod-Collection-and-Usage-Urban-PlantsWith a lot of patience and a little luck, mature Adenium desert rose plants will produce Adenium seeds. These form inside a bean-like Adenium seed pod. The desert rose seeds are quite small and are attached to fluffy pappus, much like dandelions. When the pods burst open, the Adenium Desert rose seeds from these plants can float away with the wind. 

Gardeners interested in harvesting seed pods for propagation are advised to leave the pods on the plants until they reach maturity. Rather than picking the Adenium pods, wrap them with wire or secure the pod inside a net bag. 
The Adenium Desert rose pods usually appear in pairs and will begin to swell as the seeds ripen. Patience requires, as it can take several months for the pods to open.

Uses of Desert Rose Seed Pods

Adenium-Desert-Rose-Plant-Seed-Pod-Collection-and-Usage-Urban-PlantsIf your Adenium desert rose plant is in reproductive mode, you might be wondering what to do with Adenium desert rose seed pods once they’ve busted open. Now is the time to remove the seed pods from the plant. Untwist the wire or untie the net bag in order to remove the seed pods. This should be done indoors to prevent the lightweight seeds from parachuting away. 

If you’re harvesting adenium desert rose seed pods to grow more plants, use fresh seed for the highest germination rates. The seeds can be planted with the fluff attached, but you’ll find the seed pods easier to work with if it’s removed. 
Sow the seeds from the desert on top of the soil and cover very lightly. Choose a peat moss fertilizer and perlite mixture, or use a seed starting mix with vermiculite for best results. Keep the starting tray in a warm area or use a heating mat. A temperature between 80 and 85 degrees F about 26-29 C is ideal. Germination of Adenium takes three to seven days.


2 comments


  • Diana Soliz

    My desert rose is a year old and a few months and bloomed the 1st at 1 year! It’s been blooming nonstop ever since and it just dropped seed pods!!! I’m so in love with my Rosie ❤️


  • Ruma

    Give more relevant information about Adenium seed. Please. Thank you 😊


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