How to grow some flowering plants – Adenium, Bougainvillea, Euphorbia, Hibiscus, Lantana and Table Rose
Adenium (Desert Rose)
Adenium obesum, also called Desert Rose, is a slow-growing plant native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. It is an easy-to-grow plant, and resistant to most pests and diseases.
Like all succulent plants, Adenium needs careful water management and lots of sunlight. The soil should be sandy and well-draining. If planted in a container, the water should drain out fully. Water the plant only when the soil dries up completely. The biggest problem affecting this plant is overwatering. The desert rose can be susceptible to rot if the soil remains too moist.
For full blooming, the plant needs full sunlight for at least six hours a day. Along with organic fertilisers, Adenium can be given a NPK fertiliser such as 18:18:18 once a month during the spring and summer months. Do not fertilise the plant during its dormant period.
Desert rose can be propagated from branch cuttings and seeds. However, the plants grown from branch cuttings lack the characteristic bulbous trunk of Adeniums.
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea is a tropical vining shrub that blooms in many beautiful colours. However, Bougainvillea blooms are not actually flowers, but modified leaves, called ‘bracts’.
Bougainvillea plants need full sun for at least six hours daily. They grow and bloom better when they are ‘water-stressed’. The soil must be well-draining, and watered only when the top inch of the soil is completely dry. Too much water will produce leafy growth, but fewer flowers, and also may lead to root rot. Infrequent deep watering is better than frequent shallow watering.
Bougainvillea can be pruned any time of the year, especially during December – January before the new growth cycle. Bougainvillea blooms on new growth, so it can be pruned after each bloom cycle. Pinching off the ends of vines, that are about to bloom, will produce dense bracts. After flowering, bougainvillea plants go into a light dormancy and drop their leaves. Pruning can be done at this time, as it encourages new growth. This is a good time to do heavy pruning, if needed.
Bougainvillea in pots is a heavy feeder. An NPK fertilizer that has high proportion of Phosphorus and Potassium, and low Nitrogen can be given every two weeks during the blooming season. Too much fertilizer may promote vegetative growth and inhibit blooming.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia milii, also known as Crown of Thorns, is a species of flowering plant in the Spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) that is native to Madagascar.
Euphorbia is an easy to grow plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It grows best in well-draining soil and ample sunlight. If indoors, grow the plant in soil-based potting mix and place it in a sunny location. If outside, Euphorbia grows best in full sun to partial shade. Direct sun will result in intense and colourful foliage. Too much sunlight (more than eight hours) may scald the leaves, so provide the plant with mid-day shade in hot summer. The flowers bloom throughout the year.
Euphorbia does not like too much water. Water the plant only when the top layer of soil is completely dry to the touch.
Though Euphorbia is a relatively low maintenance plant, it requires regular pruning. Cut damaged stems, if any. Also trim the stems at the base after they bloom, so as to encourage continued blooming.
The plant can be propagated from cuttings. The plant excretes a milky sap when broken. Let the sap dry before planting the cutting in the growing medium.
Euphorbia sap is toxic to humans with latex allergies. Even for those without a latex allergy, the sap can be an irritant. Wear gloves whenever handling Euphorbia plants. Should the sap fall on the skin, wash it off immediately. Avoid touching the eyes. The sap can cause severe irritation and, in rare cases, even blindness, if it falls in the eyes. If ingested, Euphorbia sap can cause digestive issues, so keep these plants away from children and pets.
Hibiscus (Shoe Flower)
Hibiscus plants are tropical shrubs with large, colourful flowers. Hibiscus can be grown in pots and also on ground. In both cases, the soil should drain out water well. For potted plants, garden soil, cow dung compost and sand mixed in equal proportion will be a good potting medium. The plant requires several hours of direct sunlight for good blooming. Hibiscus plants need regular watering, especially when they are blooming. Make sure that the water drains out fully from the pot, or else it will cause root rot.
The flowers and other parts of Hibiscus are used for medicinal purposes in traditional medicine, such as for reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, to increase the production of breast milk, as a laxative and as hair tonic, to treat skin related problems, and many other conditions. However, there are no scientific research results that recommend these usages.
Lantana
Lantana plants are thorny shrubs that look like vines. They can be upright, half-climbing or sometimes hanging. Lantanas bloom rounded clusters of small, brightly coloured flowers year-round in tropical climates.
For healthy growth, Lantana requires well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. The plant needs 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight during morning and afternoon, and shade from the midday heat. Regular watering and fertilisation are necessary for profuse blooming.
Lantana can be harmful to children, pets and livestock. Their leaves are poisonous to most animals and are avoided by herbivores. The berries are the most toxic, and can be fatal if ingested. However, the berries are a delicacy for many birds.
Portulaca (Table Rose)
Portulaca grandiflora (Moss rose, Table rose) plants are hardy flowering annuals native to South America. The flowers bloom in spectacular colours with single petals, or multi petals that look very similar to miniature roses.
Moss rose plants can be grown in flower beds, containers or in hanging baskets. The soil should be loose, loamy and airy with excellent drainage. The plants need at least six hours of sunlight, preferably full sunlight throughout the day, to grow and bloom their best.
Moss rose plants have low water needs, though they are not quite as drought-tolerant as cacti. They tolerate periods of dryness, but flowering is usually better with some soil moisture. As a general rule of thumb, one deep watering per week during the hot summer months should suffice.
Moss roses are not affected by any notable pest or disease problems, though aphids might occasionally bother the plants. All parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats.