{"product_id":"adenium-obesum-black-fire-velvet-black-to-crimson-desert-rose-seeds","title":"Adenium obesum 'Black Fire' — Velvet Black to Crimson Desert Rose Seeds","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdenium obesum 'Black Fire'\u003c\/strong\u003e is the highest-contrast obesum I offer seed for — near-black velvet outer petal margins burning inward through fire-engine crimson-red, with a bright golden-yellow star throat at the core. It photographs like an ember caught mid-burn, and it holds that contrast in person better than most \"black\" adenium claims do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Form\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSingle-to-multi-petal star-shaped blooms. Petal count runs some natural variation across a seed batch, same as any hybrid line — most seedlings hold the dark-rimmed, fiery-red pattern true, with individual plants varying slightly in petal layering and how deep the black-purple edge runs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMidnight-black to deep velvet purple at the outer margins, bleeding into a rich fire-engine red through the mid-petal, opening to a sharp golden-yellow throat at the center. Full, intense sun is what pulls the deepest charcoal and black tones out of the petal edge — this is not a variety to grow in partial shade if you want the dramatic contrast the name promises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaudex \u0026amp; Growth Habit\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFast-growing obesum habit. Builds a classic thick, swollen basal caudex without the slow, deliberate pace some of the specialty arabicum lines carry — a good pick if you want visible caudex development in a shorter window, whether you're training it as a sculptural bonsai subject or growing it out as a straightforward swollen-base specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Seed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThese come from hand-pollinated mother plants through my top Thai breeder network. Hand-pollinated seed inherits strong parent traits, and a high percentage of this batch's seedlings will show the distinctive dark-rimmed, fiery-red flower. You'll still see natural genetic variation plant to plant — some individuals running slightly lighter on the black edge or carrying a different petal count. That range is normal for hybrid obesum and part of what makes growing from seed worth the wait over buying a grafted plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eZone 6 Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI run obesum outdoors in Northern Kentucky from late May through early September, then bring everything in before overnight lows approach 50°F. Full sun is non-negotiable with this one if you want the black-edge contrast to actually show — indoors under lights over winter, expect the dark tones to soften some until the plant is back under real intensity next season. That seasonal shift in color depth is normal, not a sign anything's wrong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWHAT'S INCLUDED\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh hand-harvested Adenium obesum 'Black Fire' seed (select quantity above)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermination and seedling care instructions with every order\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGROWING BASICS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoak:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm water soak, 2–4 hours before sowing, to hydrate the seed coat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast-draining, highly inorganic mix — 50\/50 pumice and coco coir works well. Cover lightly with a thin layer of medium or fine grit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination temp:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80–90°F, with high humidity under a dome or baggie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination time:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3–7 days typical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright indirect immediately after sprouting, gradually acclimating to full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bring indoors before temps drop below 50°F\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat We're Growing With\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeeds are only half the equation — germination success comes down to the setup. Here's what I use:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ∙ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.americanadenium.com\/products\/desert-oasis-potting-media-2qt-resealable-bag\"\u003eDesert Oasis Potting Media\u003c\/a\u003e — the fast-draining inorganic mix built for Adenium, Plumeria, and caudex seedlings once they're up and potted on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ∙ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.americanadenium.com\/products\/luxbird-seed-germinator-propagation-kit\"\u003eLuxbird Seed Germinator \u0026amp; Propagation Kit\u003c\/a\u003e — bottom heat and a humidity dome, the two things that push obesum germination toward the 90%+ range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ∙ \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.americanadenium.com\/products\/5x5-germination-tray\"\u003e5×5 Germination Tray\u003c\/a\u003e — sized for clean single-variety sowing so nothing gets crossed up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee the full Desert Oasis media range at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.americanadenium.com\/pages\/desert-oasis-products\"\u003eamericanadenium.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMichael White — ISA Certified Arborist (KY-0847A), Kentucky Master Gardener. Growing Adenium in Zone 6 since 1994.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"American Adenium","offers":[{"title":"10 seeds","offer_id":51411629211684,"sku":"AA-OBE-BLKFIRE-10","price":10.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 seeds","offer_id":51411629244452,"sku":"AA-OBE-BLKFIRE-05","price":6.83,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0742\/9655\/7604\/files\/BlackFire.png?v=1788826078","url":"https:\/\/www.americanadenium.com\/products\/adenium-obesum-black-fire-velvet-black-to-crimson-desert-rose-seeds","provider":"American Adenium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}