desert rose

I Know these are not bonsai in a true sence...I do have one and have 2 questions...what fertilizer do you use for flowers and how do you prune them to keep it sort of compact ??? thank you very much take care john

Any fertilizer with a high middle number should work.

I prune mine as needed, avoid the sap, as it is poisonous. Wounds should be sealed or you will get rot into your plant.

Thank you Billy,, i want to prune this back,,not have a bush.. the trunk really don,t look that bad...take care john

Billy,

What do you seal with, cut paste or that booger-in-a-tube stuff? Also, can you wire or at least tie branches down, or do they break off? If you cut back past foliage, will they back bud?

Thanks!

R

Russell Coker wrote:Billy,

What do you seal with, cut paste or that booger-in-a-tube stuff? Also, can you wire or at least tie branches down, or do they break off? If you cut back past foliage, will they back bud?

Thanks!

R

I think the tube stuff is easier to use in this case, but white glue will also work.

I have never tried wiring.

I usually cut past foliage and they bud back.

Thank you Russell for asking about cutting past foliage...thanks Billy for the answer..i also wanted to know what to seal with..i don,t have cut paste.. thanks take care john

John, if you're going to use the glue, go to Home Depot and get "Titebond" glue. There are 2, and I think the exterior one is actually "Titebond II" with a blue lable - but doublecheck that.

Oh, and thanks Billy. Don't ask me why, but I'm thinking of trying one for myself!

R

Thank you,, Russell,, for the name of the glue,,,try to find this pretty quick... take care john

I have been developing my desert rose for the last year or so (so early in the process) potted it in a wide container with a tile under it to get a nicer spread on the lovely roots these produce, as well as positioning some of the arial roots, or roots developing higher above the soil line. I have not tired wire yet myself and would love to know how well it worked for anyone who has, I have had a few branches tied down for a few weeks now so we will see how well they hold the angle I wanted.

Hi John.
Billy's right on the fertilzer.wen i cut i dont put anything just dont water it for a week,it will dry up and can tolerate long drought.plant it deep if you want to develope big caudex form body.wiring can be done but loosely coz you dont want to peel the skin to create rot again,specially if your not like us tropical zone.take a look at my thread " Is it bonsai? " sorry couldnt guide you.i posted over there
Regards,
Alex

http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu/News%20columns/Desert.Rose.htm


Try this link whoever is thinking about trying a desert rose in a pot.
Scroll half way down the page and look at something you can aspire to. I hope its real, it looks unbelievable. It has University of Florida name on it so it should be real.

Thank you for all the information on the desert rose. I've had one in a pot for the last 3 years and not real sure what to do with it.

I have a little hint for those who just can't seem to remember what to use for fertilizer (I was one for a while), Just remember UP, DOWN, and ALL AROUND. In that order its the numbers for the fertilizer, the first number is good for the top of the tree and growth. The second number is good for the roots, flowers and fruit. the last number is basically a maintenance thing, and good for the whole plant.