To successfully cultivate me indoors, you must first understand and respect my distinct growth and dormancy cycle. I am not a typical houseplant that grows continuously. My year is divided into two key phases. From late summer through autumn, I flower and grow vegetatively. After my blooms fade and throughout the winter, my foliage continues to photosynthesize and gather energy. Come late spring, my leaves will begin to yellow and die back. This signals the start of my crucial summer dormancy period. During this rest, I require a warm, dry period to initiate flower bud formation. Attempting to keep me moist and growing year-round will result in a lack of blooms and eventual bulb rot.
I am a bulbous plant and I demand excellent drainage above all else. Plant my bulb in a pot that is only slightly larger than the bulb itself, with about an inch of space around it. A pot that is too large will hold excess moisture, which is detrimental to my health. Ensure the pot has ample drainage holes. Use a very well-draining potting mix; a blend formulated for cacti and succulents is ideal. Alternatively, you can create a mix using standard potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite. When planting, position my bulb so that its neck and shoulders are above the soil surface. Burying me too deeply encourages rot and inhibits flowering.
I thrive in bright light conditions. During my active growth period in the autumn and winter, provide me with the sunniest possible location indoors, such as a south-facing window. I need this abundant light to strengthen my bulb for the next season. During my summer dormancy, I still require bright light but no water. In terms of temperature, I prefer moderate conditions during growth, around 60-70°F (15-21°C). For my dormancy to be effective and to trigger flowering, I need a period of warmth. The room where I spend my summer should be warm and airy. Avoiding excessive humidity during this dry rest is critical to prevent fungal issues.
Your watering regimen must align perfectly with my growth cycle. Begin watering sparingly in late summer when you see the first signs of a new flower spike or leaf growth. Increase watering gradually during active growth, keeping the soil lightly moist but never soggy. As my leaves begin to yellow in late spring, gradually reduce watering. Once the foliage has completely died back, stop watering entirely. Allow my pot to remain completely dry throughout the summer dormancy. Do not water again until you see new growth in late summer. Regarding food, feed me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength only during active growth, about once a month. Do not fertilize me during my dormancy.
