Hello, thoughtful caretaker. I am your Adenium obesum, often called the Desert Rose. I feel the seasons changing, and the snugness of my current pot tells me it might be time for a new home. This process can be stressful for me, but with your gentle, knowledgeable hands, it can be a refreshing new beginning. Let me guide you through what I need, step by step, from my perspective.
I will give you signs. Look for my roots peeking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot; they are searching for more space. You might also notice that I am drinking water much faster than before, and the soil dries out almost immediately. My growth may have slowed significantly, even during my active growing season. These are my quiet pleas for a larger home. Please choose to do this in my active season, late spring or early summer, when I am full of energy and can recover quickly from the move.
Before we begin, please prepare everything I need. My new pot should be only one size larger than my current one—a pot that is too large will hold excess moisture that my thick, water-storing caudex (my swollen trunk) cannot handle and may cause my roots to rot. It must have excellent drainage holes. The most critical item is my soil. I crave a sharply draining mix. A combination designed for cacti and succulents is perfect, or you can make one with equal parts potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand. This mix will allow water to flow through quickly, giving me a drink without letting my feet sit in water.
Please be patient and gentle. Do not water me for a few days before the repotting; slightly dry soil will hold my root ball together better. Tip my current pot on its side and tap the sides and bottom firmly but kindly. You can gently squeeze the flexible pot if you have one. The goal is to coax me out, not to pull me by my stem, which could damage me. If I am stubborn, you can carefully run a blunt knife around the inside edge of the pot to loosen the soil's grip.
Once I am free, look closely at my root system. Gently loosen the old soil with your fingers. I am not afraid of having my roots touched, but please be delicate. Look for any roots that are dark, mushy, or smell unpleasant—these are rotten and must be trimmed away with a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears. You can also trim any excessively long, circling roots. This pruning might seem harsh, but it encourages me to grow new, healthy roots that will spread happily in my fresh soil. If you make any cuts, let my roots air dry for a few hours before potting me up; this helps the wounds callus over and prevents rot.
Now, place a layer of my new, well-draining soil mix at the bottom of the new pot. Position me in the center, making sure I am sitting at the same depth as before—burying my beautiful caudex too deep can lead to rot. Then, gently fill in the space around my roots with the fresh soil mix, tapping the pot occasionally to settle the soil and eliminate large air pockets. Do not press the soil down too firmly; I need it to remain airy.
This is a crucial step. Do not water me immediately after repotting! My roots have tiny abrasions from the move and need a few days to a week to heal. Watering too soon could invite rot. Place me in a bright, warm spot with indirect light for the first week. After this recovery period, you can give me a thorough watering, allowing the excess to drain freely from the holes. Then, return to your normal watering routine, always waiting until my soil is completely dry between drinks.
