- What is essential when watering?
- How often and with what should you fertilize the desert rose?
- Why does the desert rose need overwintering?
- Does the desert rose need pruning?
- How often and when does it need to be repotted?
It is a steppe plant that, thanks to its water storage, shrugs off long dry periods. The desert rose looks great both in its homeland in Africa and in pots on the balcony, terrace and in the living room. On the one hand rustic and on the other hand delicate…
During the "rainy season" the desert rose has to be watered a lot
What is essential when watering?
The desert rose needs plenty of water, especially in spring and summer. At this time, she creates a water supply in her tribe. In the fall and winter, watering more sparingly mimics a dry spell that the plant needs.
Note the following aspects:
- allow the substrate to dry before the next watering
- never keep wet for a long time (ungrafted specimens in particular do not tolerate waterlogging)
- Trunk is firm and plump: enough water available
- Trunk is soft and slack: Plant draws on its own reserves (lack of water)
How often and with what should you fertilize the desert rose?
Fertilize the desert rose from April and into September! The interval between fertilizer applications should be 2 weeks. Cactus fertilizer is well suited for fertilizing. You should be careful with flower fertilizer (1.95€)! Dose such fertilizers more sparingly or dilute them heavily!
Why does the desert rose need overwintering?
In winter, the light conditions in this country are insufficient for the desert rose. So you should keep them cooler. A cool hibernation causes the plant to go into a dormant phase. This is important so that the desert rose can bloom vigorously again in the coming season.
How to take care of the plant during its dry phase?
Winter time is dry time:
- water less from September
- keep cooler from November
- well suited: semi-shady locations with temperatures between 10 and 15 °C
- don't fertilize anymore
- set warmer and brighter from April
Does the desert rose need pruning?
A cut is only necessary if your desert rose has become too large for you. Pruning can be done either between February and March or in July. The shoots can be cut back by half. Make sure to start 3 to 5 mm above an outward-facing bud!
How often and when does it need to be repotted?
Due to the slow growth of this plant, which is preferably cultivated in pots, repotting is rarely necessary. Repotting makes sense about every 3 to 5 years. Choose a container that is about 5 to 10 cm wider than the old one.
You should note that:
- repot in the spring before the new shoots
- or repot after the first flowering in early summer
- Cut off old, rotten pieces of root with a knife
- do not water after repotting
- wait at least 4 weeks before cutting
tips
Don't worry if the desert rose loses some of its leaves in winter. This is a completely normal process.