How to care for the newly bought Desert Rose?

Desert rose is a very beautiful flower plant, especially when it blooms, the flowers are particularly gorgeous. There are many varieties of desert rose , so it is normal for the flowers to have many colors. In the past two years, desert rose has become a new favorite among flower lovers. So how do you care for a newly purchased desert rose? Let’s take a look below.

1. Sunlight

Desert rose needs to be grown in an environment with plenty of sunlight to grow well, and it is best to keep it in full sun. In a high temperature environment of 40 degrees, you can also get more sun exposure. Of course, if you have just bought it, or just repotted it, be sure to provide adequate shade in the afternoon for the first two or three weeks.

It is best to have more than 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Desert rose cannot be grown well due to lack of light. If it is a grafted Desert Rose variety, it is best to shelter from the rain during the summer rainy season, especially in areas with particularly heavy rainfall such as South China.

2. Potting soil

Desert rose likes a dry environment like a desert and is very afraid of having moisture in the soil all the time. The soil must be well drained and breathable. Try to choose sandy soil and can be cultivated with succulent soil. You can add more coarse sand , perlite, volcanic stone, planting stone or light stone to the soil. These coarse-grained substrates account for 40%~60% of the potting soil. Then add appropriate peat soil, fine coconut coir or coarse coconut shell.

3. Watering

The desert rose has different water requirements in different seasons. In late spring, summer and autumn, it has a greater demand for water. You can water it thoroughly after the soil is dry.

In the low temperature season, you must pay attention to water control. Every long period of time (15 to 30 days, depending on the degree of shriveling of the fleshy stems, wrinkles indicate lack of water), water the soil around the pot a little to keep it alive. If the plant is in a warm place in winter, especially if the temperature remains stable above 15 degrees, you can water it normally.

Desert rose is very afraid of cold, so the maintenance temperature should be kept above 10 degrees. It is best to stop watering when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. When the temperature is low, the water temperature must be controlled between 18 and 35 degrees for the fastest growth.

4. Fertilizer

If you want the desert rose to bloom more, you can add flower-promoting fertilizer every month during the growing season, especially in summer and autumn. This is fertilizer with more phosphorus and potassium elements, and the concentration is reduced to half of the usual level, including potassium dihydrogen phosphate or other flower-promoting fertilizers. During the dormant season, especially when the temperature is low, below 15 degrees, stop fertilizing.

5. Pruning and propagation

Desert roses can also be pruned during the growing season. Some branches that grow too long can be shortened, and new branches can grow below the pruned branches. After pruning, be sure to avoid getting the wounds wet. The wounds of the cut branches can be dried first. After the wounds heal, they can be propagated in a smaller pot. The soil should be clean, sandy soil with little fertilizer and good drainage and ventilation.

After planting, place it in a well-ventilated and lighted place with a little soft scattered light. After two or three days, water the soil thoroughly. Later, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. After three or four weeks, it will slowly take root.

It is worth noting that Desert Rose is a poisonous plant and should be avoided from accidental ingestion. Also, after pruning it, the juice flowing out of the wound should be avoided from accidental ingestion and should not get into the eyes.