Adenia lindenii Photo by: © Plantemania
Origin and Habitat: Tanzania, Morogoro Province.
Synonyms:
Description: Adenia lindenii is a nomen nudun (an avowed new name unaccompanied by a description or diagnosis) used to indicate a nice caudiciform with beautiful variegated leaves. The origin and appearance suggests it should be Adenia lindiensis, but then again it might be a new and interesting species. The leaves are cut into three or five parts with several different shades of green.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Bihrmann's Caudiciforms contributors “Adenia lindenii” <http://www.bihrmann.com/caudiciforms/subs/ade-lin-sub.asp> Web. 17 January 2017
Cultivation and Propagation: Adenia kirkiiSN|33614]]SN|33614]] is an interesting addition to a collection, but rarely seen in cultivation. It can be grown outdoors in topical climates and forms an impenetrable shrub if not manicured.
Growth rate: It grows well, though very slowly, but it possible to increase the speed of growth to some extent by providing adequate amount of water, warmth, and fertilizer during the active growing season, but it’s susceptible to rotting if too wet.
Exposure: It needs light shade, but the caudex should be in the shade, while the leaves prefer some sun. Avoid direct blasting sun in summer. Bright light if grown indoors.
Soil: In pots it needs a very porous potting medium (add pumice, vulcanite, and perlite). It does better in a rather acidic soil.
Waterings: Water frequently while plant is in full growth, but keep dry during the winter after the branches have died back. It rot easily and do NOT like a lot of water when it has no leaves.
Fertilizer: Benefits from moderate doses of a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
Frost tolerance: Due to its African origin keep warm in winter, the minimum safe average temperature is 15°C, although it can go lower for short periods. It can be grown outdoors in frost-free climates, need anyway to kept above 10°C and dry in winter. It is very prone to rot in cool, wet conditions. USDA Zone 10-12, but does very well in containers.
Manteinance: Repot every two years. It like pots with generous drain holes. In the winter, the vining branches die back and should be cut back to encourage branching, to maintain an attractive shape and to ensure caudex habit.
Propagation: The species can be propagated by both seeds and cuttings. Sow seed at 19-24° C, as soon as ripe; take cuttings from non flowering stems in summer.
Warning: As with all adenias, all parts of this plant are very toxic, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.
