Adenia GLOBOSA

Adenia GLOBOSA - Adenia globosa, Globe adenia.

Adenia is a genus of perennial succulent plants in the passionflower family (Passifloraceae), numbering about 100 species. In the wild, it grows in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Madagascar, Asia, and Australia. Under natural conditions, the plant can inhabit semi-deserts, tropical forests, as well as open rocky terrain.

Plants of the genus are distinguished by the formation of a massive globose caudex or underground tuber of grayish-green color, capable of reaching 100 cm (39.4 in) in diameter. In natural conditions, the smooth cone-shaped gray trunk can reach 3 m (9.8 ft) in height. Long shoots extending from the trunk can be scrambling, sometimes with tendrils. Leaves are entire or lobed, often with stipules, alternate, or arranged oppositely. The plant has fairly dense, stiff, interlacing spines.

The flowering period of the plant falls in July. Fragrant flowers in most species are small, unisexual, clustered in axillary umbellate inflorescences. Petal coloration is yellow, yellow-green, and white-yellow. The fruit is a cone-shaped, obovoid capsule or berry, often inflated, of yellow, green, or red color, containing rounded seeds.

It is an undemanding plant in care, growing rather slowly indoors. Many species demonstrate exceptional drought tolerance thanks to the massive caudex where moisture is accumulated. It can be trained wonderfully as a bonsai. It looks great in a grouping of succulent plants, including flowering ornamentals.

Adenia globosa is a succulent growing in the deserts of East Africa. The stem represents a huge green globose "bulb" up to 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) in diameter, from the top of which radiate numerous whip-like shoots studded with modified leaf-spines.

Seeds are soaked for 6-12 hours in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or fungicide with added stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then sown on the surface into a moist loose substrate consisting of sand, peat, and perlite, and covered with a layer of soil. The sowing is moistened with a spray bottle, placed in a propagator or covered with plastic wrap, and germinated in the light but out of direct sun at a temperature of 22-28 °C (72-82 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and complete desiccation of sowings must be avoided.

Under favorable conditions, initial sprouts emerge in 15-25 days. The maximum germination period can exceed 40 days. Pricking out is conducted upon the appearance of 2-3 true leaves into individual pots with light substrate and drainage.