Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum) - UPDATE

 excerpt from latest entry to the Desert Rose Photo/History or access the full history of this plant from the menu on every page. 

July 30, 2026

1st bloom opened today..he has multiple buds, so I expect we will see more over the next few days.

I've never seen one in bloom before & I understand more now why people talk about this plant & regard it so highly. I posted one of the photos (above) to a bulletin board (do they still call them that?) that I frequent & an individual from New Zealand commented that he still remembered seeing his first Desert Rose 35 years ago & never forgot it.

I will post more photos as the blooms progress, over the next few days, I expect. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a vibrant red...

                             

Fremont Cottonwood (Populis Fremontii) - UPDATE

 this excerpt taken from most recent entry on the Fremont Cottonwood Photo/History page.

Sometimes it's the most basic things that matter..I've had 'the Fremont' for almost 18 months & his development has not been particularly noteworthy. About the time of the last update,in June, looking for a place to get him out of the wind, I found a spot that seems to agree with him.

This photo was taken today after I pruned the 'leggy' shoots & evened-out the two sides, as best I could. In his new spot, he gets morning-sun instead of afternoon & has protection from the hot, dry W winds we get every afternoon, this time of year.

I'm feeling really positive about this little tree, right now & if he starts showing us growth similar to the past month, all the better. 

Dwarf Pomegranate (Punica Granatum 'Nana') - UPDATE

 excerpt from Photo/History page for Dwarf Pomegranate Click-0n to see full history of this tree.

July 2026

Repotted him into a full-size tray (6.5" X 8.5") as he was outgrowing the smaller container. He was not completely root-bound, but root ball/potting mix lifted out in 1-piece..I did no root pruning, but transferred directly to the new tray, backfill & done.

I have been pruning his foliage every couple of days, or at least the "leggy" shoots that rise above the perimeter of the main canopy or extend beyond the edge of the container. The backside of the canopy is now 'rounding' as it fills out, as the goal is to compensate for the majority of the foliage being situated on the front-side of the tree.   

I have been feeding him on liquid seaweed & a high-nitrogen fertilizer, specifically for acid-loving plants like azealea, Flowering Dogwood & the Pomengranate..it seems to agree with him.

'a Rose by any other name..'

 experpted from Desert Rose Photo/History page

  

Our Desert Rose has had an uneventful year, compared to last year when he was re-potted multiple times, endured a chemical spill & root reduction surgery, so this year, he has been very quiet & gone about his business without much fanfare. So, you can imagine the surprise when I watered him yesterday & discovered that he is about to bloom!

I am told, that it is somewhat unusual & rare for this plant to bloom 'in captivity'. So far, I can see 2 blossoms & possibly a 3rd. I'll keep this page up to date on his progress & am looking forward to seeing him in full bloom.

Koala Blooms Banksia (Banksia spinulosa 'Schnapper Point') - UPDATE

exerpt from Banksia (Schnapper Point) Photo/History page, where you can access the full history of this plant

The Banksia, 30 days later, is doing fine & is apparently happy with his "new home" & the potting mix, water & food. I've found that if new plants can quickly adjust to new surroundings, they will be able to handle almost anything you throw at them "down the road". Not only is he adjusting, he's putting out what I'm assuming will become what passes for flowers for this cultivar.

According to the literature , this little tree will produce "blooms" in (our)Late summer through (our) Fall-Winter..coming from the southern hemisphere, his seasons are reversed. Below is a photo of the "flowers" the Banksia produces.

courtesy San Marcos Growers