Even if I don't lift it, will these roots find their way into the soil?

Thanks,
Gail

I'd definitely do some lifting. You can trim those minor roots off (or not). Some more experienced growers than I am cut the major roots, too. I'd say 1/2, or if you're feeling adventurous, a whole inch of height gained isn't too much, as long as your major roots are well-situated in your mix. Speaking of your mix, it looks awfully peaty - you'd want to not duplicate that.

Would you still raise it up only an inch? I'm surprised that those spindly roots were actually hitting the soil.

This cavern has the potential for rot, if it's not already occuring. Any suggestions for treatment?

As always thanks for your input.
Gail

I'd force a rock (or rocks, depending on what you have and how flexible those roots are) into the root mass, effectively making the caudex sit on a rock/rocks, forcing it to grow over the rocks and out. I'd also trim most of the minor roots off. I think you're right - raise it up at least 5cm / 2" - just make sure that (1) not too much of the caudex is exposed and (2) what is newly exposed doesn't get full sun for a while - it needs to acclimate. It looks healthy and I'm sure you'll stage it most delightfully.

You can also leave it as it is - many folks here like the 'non-interfering with the root ball' approach that I eschew for caudex/pachycaul-having (caudiciform) plants, but I like to make the roots work and grow over rocks, thus forcing them out and in more convoluted shapes than Nature sometimes takes. Many Adenium in their natural habitats are growing in rock / growing in a rock, and I try to emulate that sometimes.

I believe the link shows Mr. Gary James and one of the finest Adenium I've ever seen.

http://www.adeniumsindia.com/home.php