Contents
Today we will look into the top 5 Adenium Care Tips and Hacks to apply during the rainy season to protect it from rot and fungus. You might also be interested in reading my Complete Guide on Adenium Care, covering all important topics related to growing the desert rose.
Short Summary:
Rainwater for Plants
Rainwater is nature’s best gift for plants, it’s more nourishing than bore or tap water. Full of essential nutrients and free of harsh chemicals found in treated water, rainwater helps plants grow faster and look more vibrant. During the rainy season plants flourish, looking lusher, greener and cleaner. The pure unadulterated moisture allows them to absorb minerals better, resulting in healthier and more robust foliage. Collecting rainwater benefits the environment and your plants grow in the most natural way possible.
Scientific Reasons Rainwater is Better
Chlorine and Fluoride Free
Gentle on Plants: Rainwater is naturally chlorine and fluoride-free, unlike most tap water which has these chemicals. Chlorine and fluoride are added to tap water to make it safe for human consumption but are toxic to plants.
Prevents Leaf Burn: These chemicals especially chlorine can cause leaf burn, especially at the edges where the damage is most visible. Rainwater eliminates this risk, making it a safer and more plant-friendly option.
Extra Oxygen
Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂): Rainwater contains a trace amount of hydrogen peroxide, a compound that adds extra oxygen to the plant’s root system.
Root Health: The extra oxygen from H₂O₂ supports healthier root growth, allowing the plant to absorb nutrients and water better.
Disease Resistance: The presence of hydrogen peroxide also helps prevent certain plant diseases and overall plant health.
Nitrogen Availability
Natural Nitrogen Infusion: The atmosphere is 78% nitrogen and during rainfall, this nitrogen is captured in a form that plants can absorb.
- Greener, Lusher Plants: As rainwater falls, it adds nitrogen to the soil which is immediately absorbed by plant leaves and roots. This results in greener, more vibrant foliage.
- Boosts Chlorophyll Production: The nitrogen absorbed during rainfall enhances chlorophyll production, resulting in
healthier and more robust plant growth.
Special Care for Adeniums and Succulent Plants During Rainy Season
The bad news is that adeniums and succulent plants need protection during the rainy season to prevent rotting. Adeniums can still benefit from rain, but precautions are necessary to protect them from rot.
Adeniums are loved for their stunning flowers and quirky, swollen trunks. These hardy plants can thrive in dry conditions but need special care during the rainy season. Excess moisture can cause root rot and other problems so you need to protect your Adeniums from the elements.
Here are the Top 5 Adenium care tips and hacks to keep your Desert Roses healthy and blooming during the rainy season.
1. Moving Adeniums to Shelter
Protect from Heavy Rains: Adeniums are not designed for heavy, continuous rains. To protect them, move your plants to a sheltered area, like under a covered porch or inside a greenhouse. This will shield them from the excess water that can cause root rot and other moisture-related problems.
Temporary Shelters: If moving your plants isn’t possible, you can create a temporary shelter using a waterproof plastic sheet. This can be as simple as draping the sheet over a frame or stakes placed around the plant. But make sure the structure is sturdy enough to withstand strong winds which can cause the shelter to collapse or blow away and damage your Adeniums.
Consideration of Light: While sheltering your plants, make sure they still get enough light. Adeniums need bright, indirect light even during the rainy season. Position your shelter so light can still get in while keeping the rain out.
2. Soil Check for Drainage
Drainage Holes: Good drainage is key to Adeniums, especially during the rainy season. Check the drainage holes in your pots to make sure they are not clogged. Clogged drainage can cause water to accumulate at the roots and rot.
Well-Draining Potting Mix: Use a potting mix for succulents or create your own by mixing equal parts of perlite, pine bark, sand, or pebbles with regular potting soil. This combination will allow water to drain quickly and reduce waterlogging.
No Fertilizing: During the rainy season, It’s best to hold off on fertilizing your Adeniums. The extra nitrogen in the air combined with the higher moisture can cause leaf growth at the expense of the plant’s overall health. Over-fertilizing during this period can also cause root rot.
- The information below is per-pack only
- Control and prevent common garden diseases with Sulfur Plant Fungicide Micronized Spray or Dust from Bonide!
3. Fungicide for Disease Prevention
Start Early: Prevention is key when it comes to fungal diseases in Adeniums. Start applying fungicides at the start of the rainy season to protect your plants from potential infections.
Frequency of Application: During heavy rains, spray your plants with fungicide every 3-5 days. Once the weather stabilizes, you can reduce the frequency to once a week. Consistency is key to keeping the plant healthy.
Recommended Fungicide: A good fungicide for Adeniums is SAAF (Carbendazim 12% + Mancozeb 63% WP). This fungicide provides both systemic and contact protection meaning it prevents fungal spores from infecting the plant and also treats existing infections. Mix 1/4 teaspoon of the fungicide per liter of water for spraying. For watering the plants, you can dilute the solution further so the fungicide reaches the roots without harming the plant.
Combination with Other Treatments: Fungicide application can be combined with other treatments like neem oil or a mild insecticide to provide total protection against fungal infections and pests.
- Use Scotts DiseaseEx Lawn Fungicide on home lawns to prevent disease before it appears and control disease at the first sign of symptoms
- Controls 26 listed lawn diseases, including brown patch, stem & stripe rust, red thread, powdery mildew, necrotic ring spot, and pink patch
4. Baby Adeniums
Shelter for Young Plants: Young Adeniums or seedlings are most vulnerable during the rainy season because of their underdeveloped root system. Baby plants should be kept under shelter to prevent excessive moisture from causing root rot.
Customized Care: Consider keeping young Adeniums indoors or in a controlled environment where you can monitor their exposure to moisture. If you keep them outdoors, make sure they are under a cover that allows air circulation but keeps rainwater out.
Check Soil Moisture: Regularly check the soil moisture of young Adeniums. The soil should be moist but not water-logged. If necessary, reduce watering frequency to prevent the roots from staying wet for too long.
5. Adenium Hack for Rain Protection
Polythene Sheet Cover: A simple hack to protect your Adeniums from the rain is to use a polythene sheet. Cover the plant and the pot with the sheet and secure it around the stem with a twist tie or wire. This will create a barrier that prevents rainwater from seeping into the soil and roots.
Weekly Fungicide Sprays: Combine this hack with weekly fungicide sprays for maximum protection. The polythene cover will keep excess moisture out, the fungicide will protect the plant from any residual moisture that can cause fungal growth.
Air Circulation: Make sure the cover allows for air circulation to prevent humidity build up that can cause fungal diseases. You can do this by removing the cover during dry periods or lifting it slightly to allow air to enter.
Conclusion
Follow these 5 Adenium care tips and hacks and your Desert Roses will be healthy and beautiful during the rainy season. Just remember to prevent excessive moisture while still giving your plants light and nutrients to grow. With a little extra care, your Adeniums will not only survive the rainy season but may even bloom!
RELATED VIDEOS:
1. ADENIUM HACKS TO MAKE FAT CAUDEX
2. COMPLETE GUIDE ON HOW TO GROW AND CARE ADENIUM PLANT
Please Watch this video showing How to Care For Desert Roses in the Rainy Season.
Last update on 2024-09-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4 comments
Good reviews.
It’s definitely worth a shot Elyssa! Good luck to you!
VERY USEFUL INFORMATION.
Recently a month back i purchased a adenium. I stay in western part of maharashtra and there is lot oF rains. I have kept this adenium in office. Since i wont bE office for 2 days i kept in window. So after 5 days when i came i saw that i lot of rain water is there in pOt. So i didnt water the plant and kept it inside office only. In btw i spRayed once. Now the leaves are getting brown in edges aNd are fallinf off.. no new leaves alSo coming. Pls guide me
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