Desert Rose www.crapbomb

[rollwithak]

Evening All,

I ordered this desert rose from a guy on eBay, and tried telling him I’d pay more to ship it faster since I live in a very hot climate and it’s dead of summer. He declined and said it can take hot weather. Needless to say, it arrived ans the roots are completely dry.

Anyway, this is how it arrived, no moist medium wrapped over roots. I’m new to succulents, and am wondering if I should soak these bare roots in water?

 

[Potawatomi13]

He is basically correct(but lazy). Plant in DRY Cactus substrate just cover roots(not too deep), partial sun, allow about 6-7 days for callusing on damaged roots. Then H2O until runs out bottom of pot. Allow to mostly dry out before H2O again. After about 1 month keep soil DAMP/never wet and full Sun. As long as roots not allowed to rot from wetness very fine you will be.

 

[rollwithak]

He is basically correct(but lazy). Plant in DRY Cactus substrate just cover roots(not too deep), partial sun, allow about 6-7 days for callusing on damaged roots. Then H2O until runs out bottom of pot. Allow to mostly dry out before H2O again. After about 1 month keep soil DAMP/never wet and full Sun. As long as roots not allowed to rot from wetness very fine you will be.

Yeah, I was able to find some stuff online after posting on here last night. I thought I needed to do something quickly but soon realized that it would more than likely be OK. Quickly realized this title was a bit overkill

I realize I can look a lot of this up but I enjoy engaging with the B-Nutters every chance I can!

Thank you tor the help

 

[rollwithak]

He is basically correct(but lazy). Plant in DRY Cactus substrate just cover roots(not too deep), partial sun, allow about 6-7 days for callusing on damaged roots. Then H2O until runs out bottom of pot. Allow to mostly dry out before H2O again. After about 1 month keep soil DAMP/never wet and full Sun. As long as roots not allowed to rot from wetness very fine you will be.

So last night, I did just that, used a cactus potting mix, added some extra pumice too it to make it even more porous and planted it in a little pot (hopefully not too deep).

it is currently in my humid plant room as I didn’t put it outside last night when I did this at 9pm. You’re suggesting I put it outdoors in full sun? Mind you, I’m in Clovis, CA where out summers are on average 105 degrees.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rodeolthr]

I ordered some from Thailand, on ebay, that took quite a while to arrive. They were just packed in a box with some loose paper. They didn't seem to mind at all.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

If the desert rose came from a commercial grower, it was probably growing under 30% or 40% shade cloth. If it came from a hobby grower, who knows?

I would start it out with shade outdoors for most of the day. Leave it in shade until a week or so after you start watering it. Then every 5 days move it to a site where it gets more sun. By the 3rd move it should be in full sun. It's okay if leaves get sunburned, but try not to give the trunk sunburn. The stepping into full sun should protect from sun scald.

Though I think desert rose outside will be fine with direct sun only before noon, bright shade for the afternoon. People get them to bloom indoors after all.

 

[rollwithak]

Yeah, I was able to find some stuff online after posting on here last night. I thought I needed to do something quickly but soon realized that it would more than likely be OK. Quickly realized this title was a bit overkill

I realize I can look a lot of this up but I enjoy engaging with the B-Nutters every chance I can!

Thank you tor the help

 

[hinmo24t]

I like it. Keep away from kids and pets lol the only thing that sketches me out about it. Dipped arrow spear dart tips w it for taking down elephants, sadly. I'm cautious to when mine drop a leaf but dog doesn't generally eat my plants

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

I like it. Keep away from kids and pets lol the only thing that sketches me out about it. Dipped arrow spear dart tips w it for taking down elephants, sadly. I'm cautious to when mine drop a leaf but dog doesn't generally eat my plants

I don't think desert rose was the only ingredient in the dart poison. To kill an elephant with just a dart, it would have to be more poisonous than cyanide, and from my reading, it is not that poisonous. It can put a hurt on you, but even several leaves won't kill a human. But yes, it is somewhat toxic, don't let pets or people you like eat the leaves or chew the trunk.

Now the question is, do you like them?

 

[hinmo24t]

I don't think desert rose was the only ingredient in the dart poison. To kill an elephant with just a dart, it would have to be more poisonous than cyanide, and from my reading, it is not that poisonous. It can put a hurt on you, but even several leaves won't kill a human. But yes, it is somewhat toxic, don't let pets or people you like eat the leaves or chew the trunk.

Now the question is, do you like them?

I like them a lot. From my research I had thought they were damn poisonous. They say to handle them with gloves ive seen. I hope you're right and good chance you are w what you know. I am going to hardcut my branches next season. They prop easy as well but Idk long term w pup and kids around

 

[leatherback]

do you like them

I like them a lot. From my research I had thought they were damn poisonous.

I would have sworn the question was whether you like your kids and dogs.

 

[Potawatomi13]

So last night, I did just that, used a cactus potting mix, added some extra pumice too it to make it even more porous and planted it in a little pot (hopefully not too deep).

it is currently in my humid plant room as I didn’t put it outside last night when I did this at 9pm. You’re suggesting I put it outdoors in full sun? Mind you, I’m in Clovis, CA where out summers are on average 105 degrees.

Thanks in advance!

Are these from Africa or similar really hot place? If so full sun R US. After established.

 

[leatherback]

Are these from Africa or similar really hot place? If so full sun R US. After established.

Well.. The name gives it away a little doesn't it? It is native to semi- arid, sub-Saharan regions of eastern and southwestern Africa plus the Arabian peninsula.

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

About desert plants. I am familiar with USA deserts only, so I can not speak to how desert rose grows in the Arabian and African deserts. I've never been there.

In Nevada, Arizona, & Texas, I've looked for and found cactus such as Mammillaria, Theocactus, Lophophora, Ariocarpus and others. Often they are found growing under shrubs, scrub, or in the shade of rocks and such that they DO NOT get full sun all day. They usually have some shade part of the day. It is true, I do not find these in full shade, but it's common to find these and other cacti in a spot that has shade for some part of the day. Some, like Opuntia seem to always be in full sun. Some of the ones I listed are occasionally in full sun. Some like Ferocactus seem to be in spots where when small, they get some shade, then as they get large, they become big enough that they are taller than their shade, ending up in full sun as they mature.

And just knowing that desert rose is a "common" or "standard" greenhouse crop for the potted plant trade, I suspect they in practice can be grown with less than full sun.

Also, the fact they are common as a greenhouse crop leads me to believe their toxicity does not pose unusual problems for greenhouse workers. With the "closing" of the southern border, illegal migrant greenhouse workers are not available as a disposable commodity. Hence I believe there are not many workers getting harmed by desert rose.

But I have not fully researched the toxicity issues. So you might be right.

 

[Carol 83]

I have mine in full sun all day, it does fine. Indoors in winter, it loses it's leaves and annoys me. I kind of hate it, takes up too much winter real estate. I only let it live, because it blooms.

 

[Arizona bonsai]

Mine are in full AZ sun, watered once a day.

 

[Arizona bonsai]

no pics yet

 

[rollwithak]

I have mine in full sun all day, it does fine. Indoors in winter, it loses it's leaves and annoys me. I kind of hate it, takes up too much winter real estate. I only let it live, because it blooms.

Picture ??

 

[Carol 83]

Picture ??

 

[lehigh4me]

I have about 15 desert roses. Mine are in full sun all day and the hotter the better. I water about once a week when not blooming and everyday or every other day when they bloom. Water every 3 weeks in winter time. Use 10-10-10 granular once a month in summer and 20-20-20 water soluble about half strength in the middle of the month.