Siam Adenium Blog

Adenium Bonsai Seedlings : How to organize the roots from PVC pipe

2008-08-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Adenium-Bonsai Lovers;

Today I would like to share another technique about the root organization. This is good to do with brown root or older seedlings. Most of young seedling root is white. The seedling cut the primary root and grown in media mixed from Coconut Powder, Rice Husks and Sand will give root become brown faster. Brown root is stronger than white root which make this is easier for us to organize than doing with white root. Unfortunately, brown root is hard and always spring back to original not in our organized position.

From this reason, we solved this problem by using PVC techniques. Here are the steps:
1. Cut the 1-inch diameter PVC pipe with 1.5 cm height.

2. Prepare the plastic bag and put the media inside it about ¾ heights.

3. Make the media float in the center and slope like “Mountain”

4. Put the PVC cover on this mountain area

5. Plant the stick in the center of PVC pipe and make it higher than plastic bag’s border

6. Put down the seedling in the center of pipe and lean with the stick. Use the rope tie her up with stick.

7. Now it’s time for organizing the roots as your imagination. Next, make the roots spread around her caudex and lean her across with the pipe. The end of roots should be made with slope and point down to media.

8. Now it’s time for Toothpick’s Power.. ha ha ha.. Use the toothpicks to settle roots down as your decided positions. It will be great to make roots spread out of caudex in circular shape.

9. Covering the roots up with same media again. Push the media around plastic border and make sure it‘s tight enough and watering. That’s all.

These two techniques will be the guide to apply with the root organization to make normal Adenium to Bonsai seedlings. I believe you will get the nice root base and raise the quality of Adenium form up. I recommend to use these techniques with Adenium: Thai Socotranum or Arabicum: Lop Bu Ri.

The another technique is not related with root organization like these, is nature thing. You have gotta know which hybrid can perform nice root base and which one can give nice multi-branch or bush form. Then you cross them together and grow their seedlings. This would take time, but it’s worth to wait. That’s why I really have fun with Adenium’s growing.

More idea, please watch the VDO from youtube :
"VDO : Adenium-Bonsai Collections from Contest'08" http://www.youtube.com/v/a00y0cms4SY&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&hl=en

"VDO Clip of Adenium ContestAyutthaya, Thailand on Apr 2008Focusing on Bonsai Class"
http://www.youtube.com/v/vuOejhm2Dqo

New Arabicum 2008 : Siam White Pearl

2008-07-11T01:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum Lovers;

Today I would like to introduce you new Arabicum hybrid. I gave her a name as "Siam White Pearl". She is originally come from Petch Na Wang (PNW). I have another last generation of Black Arabicum well known as "Black Pearl" come from PNW as well.
The most interesting in this hybrid is that can provide Multi-Branch seedlings ' form and nice branch internodes great for making Adenium-Bonsai seedling. Multi-branch form now is more popular than Muscular from for this time.

Siam White Pearl - The First Original Mother Plant, aged 7 yrs.

Leaves fold up, soft green and clear backbone

White Pearl - Flower with yellow inside and white sparkle in the throat

Let's talk about her characters: 1. Caudex : Caudex skin color is almost like cream color, clean and no button. Branch internodes is very clear and more distant. 2. Flowers: Bigger than normal PNW especially with big yellow throat and surrounded with inside white star, pink petal, and fresh pink border. 3. Leaves : Leaves are thicker, more hairy, fold up, special notice with nice white backbone leaves. 4. Roots : Nice root base almost the same with Yal Lop Bu Ri.

White Pearl Seedling with clear branch internodes

White Pearl Seedling with white caudex and branch skin

White Pearl Seedlings can also perform waterfall caudex skin

White Pearl Seedling with mulit-branch style

The exciting thing is not only hybrid's characters but only with making new mixed hybrid style following with Bonsai Seedling Class. I like to use this hybrid to cross with Thai Soco because she can perform multi-branch style even not perfect as RCN but skin caudex color is more attractive.

Here is seedling comes up with mixed hybrid crossed between White Pearl and Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown. Some of them have hairy leaves and I select the shiny ones to maintain the form. The another simple technique to make root growing faster, spread, and bigger caudex base is to cover the root with media, put the organic fertilizer around the pot border, and keep lifting up the caudex every month.

Finally, I really hope you guys will enjoy growing Adeniums. I think there are also much more hidden things with Adeniums for me to explore and I really want you to do so.

Take care and enjoy growing Adeniums.

Treasures of Siam Adenium

2008-07-02T01:10:00.000-07:00

Our RCN Mother Plant won the best Arabicum
of the year of 2007 at Suan Liang Contest

This is the Best Selling Thai Flower Magazine publish our Nursery, hybrid, characters, contest form, mother plants' introduction, tips & techniques and market trends. On the Right Corner Photo is another magazine mostly shown many popular adenium hybrids especially winning contest form. Our Mother Plants are published as Original Hybrids here. From this magazine, you will know more about Adenium Hybrids or Characters. If you are Adenium Lover with Form, you should not miss it. Unfortunately, it was written in Thai but I think many photos in this can tell.

How to Organize the roots to make Bonsai Seedlings (Part I)

2008-06-12T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Adenium-Bonsai Lovers;

Last time, I talked about how to create more roots. This time I would like to continue talking about the next step. There are 2 ways I use for organizing the roots. Mostly roots are white because they are from baby seedlings. 1. Orgainizing the root on the rounded clay2. Organizing the root in the PVC pipe

Mr. Piya (Arabicum: Lop Bu Ri's hybrid owner) and I,

with my "Golden Crown", 3 times of 1st winning award

This is new technique for seedling' cuttings (primary roots) and have more secondary root come out. These cuttings should be grown at least 2-3 months. After that pulling them out from media and see how many roots you've got. If this's not enough, you cut the rootsagain. For me, 6-7 roots are fine. The selected seedlings will also be separated in 2 groups.

1. Secondary roots are not enough as you want. You can take them to cut the roots again. (Following with the last steps again)

2. Enough roots as you wish, then start the next step with root's organization.

Now I will start talking how to organize the roots. White secondary root is very sensitive whicheasy to break or tear. You must be careful and pay much more attention otherwise roots might be ripped and then they will get rotten. We must open root wide with 45 degree around the caudex. We always face the problem with ripped root when we start doing this. Here is the tips...

Normally when we remove the seedlings from media, seedlings will be wrinkle because they are too young. We need to dip them in the water first but their roots still binding. If you swipe their roots, they might be ripped as well. The technique is to organize or swipe their root in the water. Here below are steps:

1. Make the clay with half-round and use the toothpick line around it equal to the amount of roots as your imagine what root model you like them to be with equal angles. (Fig no.1)

2. Put that rounded clay in the water with half of it. Put the seedling on the top of it and use the cord to tie up this seedling caudex with toothpick. (Fig no.2)

3. Use the toothpick to make lines on top of rounded clay through half of it and order the roots following with the lines you make before. (Fig no.3)

4. After that, lift this up from the water, put it in the pot and cover all again with the loose media. Make sure seedling is straight up with tootpick, not bend. That's all.

How to make Adenium-Bonsai from Arabicum and Thai Socotranum seedlings? Part III

2008-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hi Adenium Lovers;

Last time, I shared my idea about "How to make Arabicum-Bonsai from seedlings Part 2". Now I would like to continue the part 3. From this process, the baby seedlings will produce more and more secondary roots replaced with primary root. There will be 7-8 fibrous roots . If you are not satisfy with amount of fibrous roots, you can cut the -

Our Arabicum-Bonsai compared with Original Bonsai.

secondary branch again near to stem base.(Please see the photo below). According to 2nd root cutting, there are 3 ways (more secondary roots, same amount of secondary roots, or die.
I know you do not want your seedlings to be dead including myself because we are all adenium lovers. Mostly they die from fungi infection after cutting their roots. If you make sure that you give them fungicide chemical and diluted root hormone after cutting and putting them in media again so you will be fine.

Please do not put any fertilizer for this time. After that making holes and put these cut-root seedlings in this media. Put them in the shade (60% slant) about 2 weeks. When these seedlings recover and get more healthy, you can take them to outdoor with full sunlight. Now you can put the fertilizer and watering as usual. After 2-3 months, you can select the good seedling form to prepare with the next step"Root Organization or Order". I will share this idea later in part 4. Take care.

Our new mixed hybrid crossed between Thai Soco:
Golden Crown and Arabicum: RCN can organize
with Bonsai Class.

Thai Socotranum | Ride for Adeniums

2008-04-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to show you more Thai Socotranum characters and varieties via VDO Clip. The easy thing to select or notice them is to check the middle main stem and side branchesaround it. The best Thai Socotranum in my opinion is "Golden Crown". Below is many forms of Golden Crown, mostly different on rootbase styles. I also added some of RCN Air-Layering from my original Mother Plant. Players here like to collect this to maintain as bonzai. Now Bonzai is very popular including Adenium with Bonzai style. Please enjoy...

The 1st Winning Award of Thai Socotranum Contest, Ayutthaya, Dec 07. This is Thai Socotranum Golden Crown, age 3 yrs, 14" caudex

Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown with Banyan Tree Root style. This is rare form and nice to collect. She is 4 yrs, 16" caudex.

Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown with crab crawl style. This is also hard to find this form. Nice form with shallow pot. She is 3.5 yrs, 17" caudex

Original Mother Plants for Hybrid Lovers...

2008-04-21T00:44:00.000-07:00

Hi Adenium Lovers;

Today I would like to share my original mother plant collection which I use them to develop new hybrids and maintain their seedling' stability. New Arabicum trend now is followed with Multi-Branch style because this style can be maintained as "Bonsai" Class. Muscular form is dropping because they are harder to control the form or lose form especially side and top branches when they are over one year.

We do not like to dose baby seedlings with higher fertilizer to make seedlings -

grow and getting chubby faster. This seem like Fat seedling but weak. My concept is to let baby seedling grow naturally with natural organic fertilizer, vitamin and nutrients. Be patient, you will see the difference. Your plants will get not only stronger but also better form and nice fresh juicy caudex skin. Seedling grown from fertilizer dosing, caudex skin will be rough and dark brown spot around caudex when age is over one year.

Let get back to new trend Arabicum 2008 with multi-branch style. You do not need to worry with lose branch form much because you can prune or trim the lengthy branches. The great multi-branch style should come from mixed hybrid with RCN lead. The magic thing of RCN when you cut the branch, more cut more new coming branch. Here is sample, cutting one branch will make 2 new branches putting out, cutting 2 branches will make 4 branches coming out. This is like Bacteria growing or it means "The more you cut, the more you got new coming branches. If you keep doing this you can have busy branch at the top caudex area.

The next thing to do is how to make larger or wider rootbase flat. This is also another concern with Bonsai class. I will discuss this next time. Please feel free to ask me anytime via my email. Have fun with Adeniums.

How to make Adenium-Bonsai from seedlings? Part II

2008-03-27T03:06:00.000-07:00

From last article, I have already introduced you about Arabicum Bonsai. This time I would like to start discussing about “How to make Arabicum Bonsai from seeds”. Here below are steps:
Our Best Thai Socotranum-Bonsai form with great multi-branch
form and perfect root base.

1. Seed Sowing: The Bonsai basic that you need to know is how to create the branch and root. These are 2 main things that you should focus in.

For Branch, you need to know what kind of Arabicum seed hybrids that can perform the Bonsai characters. From my experiences, I like to select hybrid come from Ra Chi Nee Pan Dok (RCN), mixed RCN hybrid, or RCN mixed with Thai Socotranum (especially with Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown or GC. Golden Crown is the most popular of Thai Socotranum with the best branch styles and nice root base.

Why so I use RCN as hybrid leader to make Bonsai? The reason is that RCN can give tiny & multi-branches and more branch internodes or joints. RCN itself cannot give root base well as Bonsai trend so this root base must come from root creation yourself following with Bonsai Methodology. This is why I focus on RCN as hybrid lead and seed harvested from Mother Plant can give more multi-branches than F1, F2, and F3… etc.

For root, you need to create or make yourself based on Bonsai knowledge. You will see how to create root below. From my experiences, not all of seedlings can give grade “A” seedlings. You can get Grade A seedling depending on amount of your growing seedlings. When you harvest seeds, you should put them in the shade and make sure they are dry, not get any moisture.
Seed sowing following with Bonsai style is different from normal seed growing. We need to select the baby seedlings have perfect and healthy forms to do this. For media, I used Sand, Coconut powder and rice husk powder mixed together in order to easier pull baby seedlings up from this media to do the root creation for next step.

2. Root Creation: This is the next step after selecting baby seedling come from seed hybrids can perform multi-branches style. Naturally, taproot (middle main root) will start coming out from seedlings first and go down to the media which help stem get straight up to retrieve the sun light. After that seedlings will create the branch roots periodically also help stem hold with media when getting larger and better absorbs water and food from media.
For Bonsai, this is totally different. The great thing for Bonsai making is focused on how to change from single main root to become with branch roots instead. You have to make at least 7-8 branch roots around the caudex in horizontal level mostly start working with seedlings come up with 2-3 young leaves.

New trend 2008 of Arabicum-Thai Socotranum, we like to focus
more on multi-branches, not muscular form, with many
shorten branch internodes, tiny branches, short caudex and
spread root base.

How to make Arabicum-Bonsai from Seeds? (PART 1)

2008-02-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hi Arabicum Fans;

Most Arabicum growers are pretty worried about how they could start growing Arabicums like bonsai form from seeds.This way could take time but we will be prouder of making this ourselves. You can save time by getting ready Arabicums as bonsai form and maintain them later but this will be expensive way. TodayI would like to share the idea how to create Arabicum followed with Bonsai class. It’s not similar to 100% Bonsai form just look like.

Our Arabicum: RCN X Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown Collection

Arabicum-Bonsai grown from seedsThis way is appropriate with the beginner because they will notice how the plant developing from baby to young seedlings and Giant size. You also understand the arabicum nature, natural growing and the arabicum methodologies. I guarantee this will be more fun.

Unfortunately, growing Arabicum following with Bonsai development takes longer time, you must be patient and mentally calm. This could help growers know how to plan growing and maintaining the Arabicums each step based on what the plant form should be on that time. You also have to know what tools or equipments you need to use for each step. You can also use bonsai experiences with Air-Layering and rootstock to apply with Arabicum-Bonsai seedling growing.

The Arabicum hybrids we can mostly use for Bonsai sowing are Arabicum: Ra Chi Nee Pan Dok and mixed hybrid but need to have RCN as leader like RCN X Petch Na Wang, RCN X Lop Bu Ri (LBR). For this time, I do the handed cross pollination between RCN and Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown (GC) by using RCN as pollen. As we knew, GC is the best Thai Socotranum hybrid with nice root base and paralleled branch form.

Here below are the Arabicum-Bonsai processes:
1. Seed sowing focused on hybrid usuage2. How to create root around bottom caudex3. How to organize the root with bonsai discipline (angle technique)4. How to raise the caudex size as we need5. How to maintain shape or form as Bonsai class

I will talk about these things later. You can share the idea to me via my email.
Thanks a lot and have fun with Arabicum growing.

Suan Luang, The Biggest Adenium Contest in Thailand 2007

2008-02-12T01:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Adenium Lovers;

Today I would like to present the "Suan Luang" 2007 Adenium Contest (The Biggest Adenium Contest in Thailand dedicated to our Majesty King Phumibol). Suan Luang Rama IX Park , a new and sizable metropolitan public park, was born out of the aspirations and fervent desire
of a group of His Majesty the King'loyal subjects to create and dedicate a park as a token of homage and honour to His Majesty on the occasion of His Sixtieth Birthday Anniversary in the year B.C. 2530 (A.D.1987), with the fullest co-operation of the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority. There are 3 main contest classes categorized by hybrids (Obesum, Arabicum and Thai Socotranum) and plant height (30cms, 50 cms and over 50 cms or Giant

The Grand Champion and the 1st and winning
award at Suan Luang contest with our RCN Mother plant.

Size). There is only one biggest award
"The Best Show award" means the Grand Champion plant selected and judged from each of 1st ranking from each contest class.
There are over 100 Adenium plants to join this contest.

We won the Grand Champion (The Best Show) with our Arabicum : Ra Chi Nee Pan Dok (RCN) or "Queen of Thousand Flowers" aged 35 years and also won the 1st winning award of RCN contest class.

The 1st Winning Award of Thai Socotranum with
30 height contest class, we use Golden Crown to join this contest

Here, only RCN is seperated from other
Adenium Arabicum Contest Class. The most exciting contest class is Adenium Arabicum contest with 25 cm height because many adenium players can bring them easily and not long maintaining. We also got the 1st and 2nd winning award with Thai Socotranum 30 cm height contest class. We took the best of Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown to join this contest.

Our Golden Crown has been maintained since baby seedling harvested from NSD Nursery (The owner of Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown and great partner) and for 3 years.

They also have the over 50 cm height-Thai Socotranum contest class. We took our Petch Ban Na (PBN) mother plant to join and won the 3rd winning award. She is 15 years old. We have trained her for 5 years especially with her roots like "Anacondra".

The 2nd Winning Award of Thai Socotranum
with 30 cm hieght Contest class

For the Arabicum with over 50 cm height class, we won the 2nd and 3rd winning award. We took the Arabicum: Petch Na Wang (PNW) and Petch Muang Kong (PMK) motherplants to join this contest. Both of them are over 15 years.

For the Arabicum with over 50 cm height class, we won the 2nd and 3rd winning award. We took the Arabicum: Petch Na Wang (PNW) and Petch Muang Kong (PMK) motherplants to join this contest. Both of them are over 15 years.

This is the most honour reward to usDon't worry if you did not come to this contest because I made the VDO for you to watch, please enjoy and hope you to visit 2008 Suan Luang Contest. Take care... Adenium Lovers

Another Factor to grow with nice seedlings

2008-01-29T07:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Arabicum Lovers;

Growing up seedlings with nice form is not difficult anymore. I told you that the controlled factors are Media, Minerals, Fertilizer, watering and uncontrolled ones are climate, moisture, diseases.

There is another important thing : Mother plant sources. We don't wanna waste time without knowing what seed resource is come from. Mostly I can get about 70% seedlings look stable with mother plant hybrid.

Siam Black Pearl Mother Plant, the newest generation of
Black Arabicum (More)

Our Winning Arabicums and Thai Socotranums Collection at backyard

Actually I also like the weird or strange seedlings look different from mother plant. Few can be new hybrid as well. Another thing to think about is the age of mother plant.
From my experiences, I have found that seedlings come from mother plant's age over 7-10 years can represent more beautiful form and stronger seedlings from young mother.

I like to grow seedling with natural thing, not like to boost up with chemical fertilizer. Yes, baby seedlings can grow bigger but they would be lost form, longer branch and hard to maintain the form especially in the rainy season.

Some of our selected form prepared and maintained for incoming
contest form

Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown

2007-12-25T22:50:00.000-08:00

Hi Thai Socotranum lovers;

Today I would like to show many forms of Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown. Golden crown or GC is one of the most popular and best form in Thai Soco group. The special characters is middle main stem around with parallel side branches. This look like King Crown.

We have developed new style with shorter neck caudex and wider root base. We called this as "Dwarf GC". Please click the right photo to watch them.

Here on the left photo is our Golden Crown with 1.5-2" caudex, aged 7 months. Normally, Thai Soco seedlings are pretty hard to define with hybrid because the form will show up distinctively when they are about 6 months up.

GC form always change in a better shape every 2-3 months. Sometimes, bad form of young seedlings can perform better form than nice seedling form. This is very challenge to grow them.

Arabicum : RCN Air Layering

2007-12-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

Air-Layering propagation is most likely to be useful for perennial herbaceous plants and shrubs. Growing a plant from a cutting produces a clone of the parent plant or mother plant. For revegetation, plants already growing successfully in an area can be replicated.

These are the reasons for loving RCN Air-Layering.
* As you know RCN is the most popular in Arabicum in term of productive flowers
,especially hybrids, this method can reproduce true to parents unlike sowing
from seeds.
* Plants mature in a shorter time
* New plants are the same as the parent plant

With this method, roots can be produced on stems above the soil. Layering is basically a method of getting a branch or stem to produce roots while still being attached to the parent plant. When the roots are established, the branch is cut and the new plant is potted or planted into the ground where it starts growing as a new plant. This is a method of propagation that is asexual, or vegetative rather than sexual, as is the case when propagating from seed. Two main benefits of asexual or vegetative propagation are: New plants are capable of reaching maturity much faster than when propagated from seed. When layering though, it may take a long time for roots to start growing in some species. Some plants such as hybrids will not reproduce true to parent stock when propagated from seed, in fact, some of these kinds of plants will not even produce viable seed. Asexual propagation in such cases is the only way to get new plant starts. After the new roots are well formed, cut just below the area to sever from the parent plant. This is a great way to obtain bonsai specimens. Plant in pot or in the ground. Layering is an easy way to create "perfect rootage" on a tree with a one-sided or unattractive root system.

So...if you are real fan of Arabicum: RCN and love to have TRUE blood or hybrid from mother plant so you should not miss it coz all of our RCN Air-Layering are made from my first original Mother Plant. That means you can get 100% TRUE hybrid RCN.

Ah!!! Dwarfs

2007-11-27T01:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Arabicum lovers;

Today I would like to show you some of my Dwarf varieties. I pretty believe that the best factor very important to help seedlings become with the nice form is HYBRID from Mother plant you sow.

There are 2 kinds of seedlings:
1. Seedling followed as Mother Plant Form As we know. some seedlings can be mutant from sowing. If you would like to get this kind of seedling, you should know the mother plant form and source.

Form means "what you want your seedling will be look like". Source means "how much true hybrid you get". This can help you save sowing time and better than sowing seeds without knowing hybrid you get.

2. Mixed Seedling HybridThis kind of seedling can make by hand crossed pollination. You can imagine what new seedling form would be like. The best thing is to know what mother plants you wanna cross.

Two Crossed Hybrids should come from each nice motherplants. Not only crossing with Arabicum x Arabicum, but now we can cross Arabicum x Thai Socotranum.

For this time, I would like to talk about Arabicum x Arabicum first. Mostly I would like to use Arabicum:RCN (The best Arabicum as most productive form) as male and use Arabicum:PNW as female because RCN stamen is very strong and faster move into pistil than

other Arabicum stamen. RCN herself is hard to perform Dwarf or chubby form but RCN is good for productive flowers and especially with branch internodes. Most popular form of PNW are Multi-Branch and Muscular Branches but few flowers.
Below photos are what we crossed 1. RCN X PNW (Multi-Branch) - we have new F1 charactered like Bamboo or Medusa style with many internodes

around branches and shiny leaves with red border. 2. RCN X PNW (Muscular) - We have new F1 charactered like Rhinozaur, shiny and thicker leaves. 3. RCN X Black Giant - This is our sucess because F1 is pretty stable now. We named this as "Siam Majestic" or Black RCN. OK, I think this is enough for sharing idea. Have a great day,, my adenium friends in this planet.

Getting know better with Arabicum hybrid, Plant Form and Structure

2007-10-22T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum lovers;

Today I would like to show you more about hybrid identification including plant form and structure. You can read the hybrid basis from this website (under top menu above). This could help you to make decision to get the nice plant and true hybrid.

I have posted some VDO clips for you to watch some of my nice Dwarf styles and also rate with plant character items (Please see below).

The most important thing to make the characters of seedlings :

Muscular, Multi-branches, Pagoda, etc. is mother plant selection. It could waste time if you sow seeds without knowing what seed sources come from what mother plant is.

For instances, I would like to make Dwarf seedling form with multi-branches, big root base, more branch- internodes and shiny leaves. Then I will choose the mother plant look like photo no.1 above.

If I would like to make Dwarf with seedling form with Multi-Branches, Shiny & long sharp leaves, and
chubby caudex, I will select plant no. 2 to be mother plant. Last sample, if I also would like to make Dwarf form with Muscular Style, Soft caudex color, Clear bone leaves, and flat caudex, I will use the plant no. 3.

The next step is how to maintain baby seedlings to become Dwarf. Please remember making contest form begins from better Dwarf maintaining. Next please enjoy the VDO clip by clicking images below.

Cheers,
Choochart S

How to notice Siam Majestic (Black RCN) and Black Giant

2007-10-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hi Adenium Friends;

Today I would like to explain how to differentiate between Arabicum: "Black Giant" and Arabicum: "Siam Majestic" (SM or Black RCN). As I told you last time, we know that Black Giant was originated from Yak Lop Bu Ri or we can call "Black Lop Bu Ri". The owner of this Mother Plant is Liutenant Piya. He is my really closed friend. I will show you his photo soon. The Siam Majestic is mixed hybrid between RCN and BG.

Mr. Piya and his Yak Lop Bu Ri and also he was the
owner of Black Giant Mother Plant - The grand
champion 1998 Contest at Lop Bu Ri Province.
He is my best friend.

The easy thing to notice the difference is the internodes around branches. BG consists of many internodes and clearer than SM. BG caudex color is like dark brown. SM skin color is pretty red brown.

SM leave is shiny, some can have red middle line bone. It's also thicker than normal RCN. Some might have a little bit hairy coz of more BG mixing up.

How to make Dwarfs? Part II

2007-10-08T03:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum Lovers; Today I would like to suggest more how to make Dwarf Form and Contest Form. Actually developing the Dwarf Form, the most important thing is to notice the mother plant form. For example, if you have tall mother plant, it's hard for you to get seedling as Dwarf Form. In the opposite side, if your mother plant is like tower style so it's pretty hard to maintain as Dwarf Form.

minerals, rock, water, air, organic matter (plant and animal residue), microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and protozoa and a variety of insects and worms. In healthy soil this intricate web carries out a process that continually replenishes the soil and maintains long-term soil fertility. I use the fermented soil (with EM and Molass) mixed with cow manure and rice husk. Normally I ferment soild for 3 months before using. This soil is mostly lack of Minerals necessary for the plants. Most people think only fertilizer (Main N, P, and K) is enough, but exactly not. We also need more mineral to be another factor build up more root and expand caudex.

For sustained growth plants require 16-17 elements generally referred to as macro-nutrients and trace elements. Macro-nutrients include, nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). Trace elements include, iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn). For optimum plant growth, the soil must be capable of storing these nutrients and transferring them to the root surface for uptake by plants.

For Fertilizer use, I recommend to use Natural Organic Microorganics with Minerals instead of normal fertilizer with main N, P, and K. This fertilizer give benefit to special fungi name "Mycorrhizal". Normal fungi help decompose the organic matter in litter and soil but play less of an overall role.
Mycorrhizal fungi help develop healthy root systems by growing on plant roots. The fungus is actually a network of filaments that grow in and around the plant root cells, forming a mass that extends considerably beyond the plant’s root system. This essentially extends the plant’s reach to water and
nutrients, allowing it to utilize more of the soil’s resources. Best caudex development also needs the full sun and enough watering are the keys to this. ok, if you have more questions, please email me. Thanks friends..

How to categorize PNW based on Forms?

2007-09-26T02:58:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum Lovers,Arabicum-Petch Na Wang (PNW) is one of my favorite Arabicum. I mostly use this hybrid to be maintained as Dwarf or Contest Form. From my experiences, I can categorize PNW into 5 popular styles. Please see below..

1. PNW-Multi Branches : This is very attractive style mixed with RCN blood. Leaves are almost shiny and some can have a little bit hairy. There are many internodes on the top branches. Branches are not big but too many.

2. PNW-Peacock Style : Almost the same as item 1. but more branches spread parallel to the ground. This form is pretty hard to find and I really love it.
3. PNW Muscular Style : Branches are not too many like item 1 and 2 but they are kind of big. Internodes are also less than item 1 and 2. Caudex is also big and great for Dwarf Form. Mostly I like to use this form to join in the contest. I called this form as "Muscular".
4. PNW White Ivory: Almost the same as item 3 but skin is white. Internodes are distant and not too many. Caudex skin is wrinkle like elephant skin so I called her as "White Elephant".
5. PNW Flamable Style : This style is also consist of RCN blood. Many branches are spread into the top. Internodes are not too many. Leaves are pretty shiny like RCN.

Next time, I will show you another great PNW mixed with Petch Muang Kong. Have a nice day.

The 4 th thai Ornamental Plants Exhibition & Contest Year 2007

2007-09-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is the 4 th thai Ornamental Plants Exhibition & Contest Year 2007 to celebrate themost auspricious occasion of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 80 th Birthday Anniversary . Here are photos of our plants joining this contest. Please enjoy ...


Arabicums in Contest	The greatest PBN in Thailand	1st winning prize of PBN

Golden Crown : 1st Generation from mother plant	PNW Multi-Branch and Symatric Form	PNW+PMK : Nice root base and bushy form

PNW Mult-Branch with symatric form	PNW Multi-Branch with nice root base	PNW - Tank Form, my favorite one

The difference of Black Knight and Black Giant

2007-08-30T03:38:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum Fans;

I have many questions about what difference between "Black Knight" (BK) and "Black Giant" (BG) so I will explain you following with their characters. Black Giant is the first generation of Black Arabicum here and Black Knight (Named by us) is the second generation.

You can find out more about Black Knight from "The Legend of Siam Black Knight" as below. I seperate the difference for each categorized by flower, leaves, caudex, seed pod, and seed.

1. Flowers
BK: Flower is softer pink, one tone petal and special with red stripe in the yellow throat.

BG: Flower is darker pink to almost red. Flower's petal background is pink and also has deep pink border around.

2. Leaves

BK: Leaves are fresh green, long, wider, thicker, hairy and some might have the red middle line.

BG: Leaves are smaller and curve at the end. Leave line is very clear with red middle line or bone. Leave color is soft green.

3. Caudex

BK: Caudex skin is almost black from top branch to caudex base.

BG: Caudex skin is brown or some can be black all caudex as well.

4. Branch

BK: Branch is more black and consist of few internodes.

BG: Branch is black and consists of many distinctive internodes.

5. Seedpod

BK: Bigger and close together.

BG: Smaller and more distant like V-Shape

6. Seed

BK: Seed is longer and bigger size and also the biggest size compared with other Arabicum seeds.

BG: Seed is smaller and round like rugby ball. Some seeds can have hairy at skin.

The Black Giant was developed from Yak Lop Bu Ri. The owner of Lop Bu Ri's Mother plant is Luetenant Piya and he is the one who named this hybrid. He is my close friend and we have studied and worked together on this hybrid for 3 years. He told me that his uncle recieved 2 youngseedlings about 15 years ago from Saudi Arabia. Both of them were grown for 1 years and Mr Piya noticed that one of them got black skin on top branches so he gave this plant as a name of "Yak Dam" as Thai people called til now.

The English name "Yak Dam" is "Black Giant" and use as marketing term. "Yak" means "Giant" and "Dam" means "Black".

Mr Piya simply said "Black Giant" is just Yak Lop Bu Ri which just has black branch skin. Some Yak Bu Ri can have brack branch almost same as Black Giant (Please see the left photo). You can notice all branches are almost the same as Black Giant but flowers are like Yak Lop Bu Ri. I think this could be clear what difference between Black Giant and Black Knight.

The Legend of real Master of Black Knight

2007-08-30T03:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Arabicum Lover;

I have got many questions about the Legend of Black Knight. Today I would like to tell you the story. The Black Knight motherplant was grown from villager at Korat city 20 years ago. After that she has been taken by the owner nursery there. Two years later she got severely rotten at caudex so that owner of nursery was afraid of her dying then he cut her into 3 big branches. One year later, he closed his nursery and sold all plants including 2 Black Knight' branches, one of them was rotten and died with him, to two guys. One branch was sold to Mr. Tawee, owner of nusery located at Nakorn-Sawan city. Another one was sold to somebodyelse and he forgot who sold to.

Three years later, I was so lucky that I have a chance to meet Mr. Tawee and bought this mother plant which he also guarranteed that this was the 1st generation of Black Knight (or Mother Plant). I am Arabicum lover and really like develop the Arabicum hybrid from real blood Mother Plant.

I also got many questions what difference between Black Giant and Black Knight. Many years ago, we called Black Knight as same as Black Giant as well. After I found her and see she got many differences with Black Giant such as form, flowers, leaves, seeds, caudex and seedpods so I gave her a name as "SIAM BLACK KNIGHT".

You can easily notice the real Black Knight from her flowers and leaves. Her flowers are softer pink and only one tone, no pink petal border. Leaves are longer and more hairy on both sides.

New Thai Socotranum: Petch Ban Na (Tower Style)

2007-08-07T07:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Thai Socotranum Lovers:

Today I would like to talk about Thai Socotranum: Petch Ban Na (PBN). PBN is one of our popular Thai Socotranum. This PBN is very unique unlike other Thaisocotranums. The easy part you can see is that flower because her flower is the most soft pink compared with other Thai Socotranums.

As of today, we have developed our new style of PBN seedlings which all of them are grown from seeds harvested from the 1st original mother plant. We are pretty believe and trust in TRUE hybrid especially with Thai Socotranum. The reason is that Thai Socotranum is very slow growing and the best form will represent at least 1-2 years so we would not like to waste our time, wouldn't we?

Here are some of our seedlings with NEW tower style and have shubby on the top of branches surrounded with side branches. We have tried to develop form like real Socotranum from Socotra Island. We totally guarranteed that all of them are 100% TRUE seedlings almost the same as Mother Plant so you will be happy and sure that you get the TRUE ones. Now 1st seedling lot is released now!

How to identify the TRUE Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown?

2007-08-01T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Socotranum Lovers;
I have got many questions on how to notice the TRUE Thai Socotranum : Golden Crown seedlings. As you know, Thai Socotranum: Golden Crown is the most popular and rarely hard to find. The mother plant can give seeds only 2 times a year.

Here below are some points you can make decision to get the real Golden Crown.

1. Big caudex base, grey brown for 2 yrs up and for 1-2 yrs caudex might be soft white to grey white.

2. Branch Joints (Inter-Node) are very clear and some on the top might be black.

3. Flowers are rounded shape with pink curly border. The petals are soft pink. some flowers are also fresh deep pink border like Diamond Crown.

4. Leaves are shiny, fold up and some can have red under leaves. Old leaves might have red bone. Top leave is dark green but bottom one is soft green.

5. Here is the most important thing to classify: branches are almost parallel with the earth and consist of 2 layers. The branches on top layer or main middle stem will span like finger spread. Middle main stem is special character for this Thai Socotranum

Unfotunately, most of Thai Socotranum seedlings are almost similar or hard to identify when their age are 6-7 months or 2-3" caudex. Golden Crown seedlings will mostly represent the distinctive form when seedling age is over 7 months.

It's hard to identify if they are 100% Golden Crown with baby seedlings. Mostly identified as Golden Crown distinctively when their ages are over 8-9 months.

We can guarrantee that you will get the TRUE hybrid coz our seedlings are from the 1st mother plant and we do hybrid zoning distinctively, not mixed with other hybrid. our true Golden Crown seedlings with 1-1.5" will be available on ending of Aug.

For more information about Golden Crown , please visit this link.

Why do we need to cut the leaves?

2007-07-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

I have got many questions why we have to cut the leaves on Arabicums. Here below are the benefit from my experiences:
1. Protecting the diseases mostly come from insects but not get over with them. If you like to get rid of insects you can use the insecticide chemical.

2. Help maintaining the better form especially with the branches. The reason is that more leaves, the branches will bend down and look not so good.

3. Help making more joints coming up, not lengthy. The reason is that branches will recieve more sunlight and make branches stronger which you can notice that branch color will change from green to brown.

4. You can see the plant very clear with every angle clearly so we can maintain the form as direction we decide easier.

5. Good for moving plant to new pot because this will help root decrease pulling the water from media which also helps root spread and recover faster.

6. This can help stopping the longest branch growing and make the side or rest branches growing faster until they are in good form balance.

Cutting leaves also have disadvantage too..
1. You can face the rotten from cutting if you use dirty knife or scissor so you should clean them up first before cutting. It could be risky if you do it during rainy season.

2. Top Branch might get "Sun Burn" if you made a mistake on cutting young branch instead of leave during heavy sunlight. This can make more new unwanted branches coming up and make plant form lose.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) From Arabicum Lovers:

1. How often has we cut leaves?
- I will cut the leaves when 5th-8th leaves not fall from the top. Normally leaves will fall by natural but if plants grow very healthy and strong leaves won't fall but might make branch bend down.

2. How deep can we cut?
- It depends on your consideration. You should let the young leaves grow and cut the mature leave instead. Young leave is too short and easier mistaken if you accidentally cut to branch instead which might make branch get rotten.

3. Should we move them to the shade after cutting leaves?
- No, please leave them with the sunlight because sunlight can help leaves dry faster but if raining you can move them to the shade and take them out when sunlight comes up again.

4. Can we watering as usual?
- yes. No problem. It will be better if you are more careful not to watering to cut leaves.

5. Should we smear with the Red lime?
- No need. Normally we use red lime for cutting branch for grafting case.

How to prepare and maintain plants before joining the contest?

2007-05-22T00:33:00.001-07:00

How to prepare and maintain plants before joining the contest?

Usually we prepare and maintain plants at least 3-4 months before contest begin. Here below are things we have to focus based on my experiences.

1. Flower preparation, (20% points)

- Flowers have to be bloom all as much as they can. The trick I did is to reduce watering for a week and then use the flower liquid fertilizer watering instead. One more thing, flowers should be fresh and not yellow or almost fall down. Flowers should fully bloom in bunch forms on the top of each branch or also bloom circularly balance all of trunk (This depend on hybrid bloom characters). The advantaged plant for this item is RCN, you know well.

2. Caudex, Trunk and Branch (30%)

This part is pretty higher score especially with symmetrically balance.
- The main middle stem is to be short and bigger than other sided branches. The main stem is also surrounded with the side branches like Crown and Pagoda (Depending on natural plant form or hybrid). For example, PMK is monument or tower style and consist of many bunches of flowers on the top. PNW is muscular form with distributed flowers around branch. RCN, ha ha ha, flowers bloom every branch even around stems come from buds.
For Thai Socotranum will treated differently eg; Golden Crown: Big base root and caudex, short trunk, 2 branch layers from main stems and also many branches paralleled with the earth; Petch Ban Na: Higher trunk with big main stem decorated with side branches.
- Branches must not be cut or trained to make them differently from natural form but it’s fine if the wound is dry for long or almost the same as their mother skin.
- Branch joints are also important, more joints more score. Mostly from RCN or Black Arabicum especially RCN plant sown from seeds harvested from mother plant will be clearly seen.

3. Leaves (10%)

- The color of leaves should be healthy, fresh green, no yellow and no burnt from disease or insecticide. The leaves can also represent the hybrid origination. More TRUE hybrid close to mother plant you will be get more score. Some mixed hybrid is good as well especially PNW mixed with RCN or RCN+PMK. Mostly I like to use PNW or mixed PNW to put in the contest because she is very easy to maintain the Dwarf and Contest form: Muscular branch and big flat caudex.

4. Root Section (10%)

- Caudex skin should be bright or shining , no wound, scratch or sun burnt. Putting more chemical fertilizer can make the caudex skin not fresh, please be careful using it.
- The condition of caudex and root must be healthy and succulent, not wrinkle or soft .
- Root should be spread out like spider, flat base style and strong. This different between Thai Socotranum and Arabicum because Thai Socotranum we like to show the root and caudex so mostly contest players like to lift it up as much as they can from the media and make it looks like “Mountain” style unlike Arabicums.

5. Misc part (5%)

- Pot (pot should be matched with plant style), for instance, chubby and short plant should be used shallow and wide pot.
- Plant should be positioned in the center of pot
- Media should be clean and no grass covered with media.

Please kindly share your comment

Cheers,
Choochart S
www.siamadenium.com