You perceive it as dormancy; we experience it as a vital, rhythmic cycle of renewal. As the days shorten and the sun's angle lowers, we sense the profound change in light quality and temperature. This is not a sign of death or failure, but a deep, ancient instinct for survival. Our growth above ground ceases because the energy required to sustain it is no longer available from the sun. Instead of wasting precious reserves, we redirect everything back to our core being: the bulb. This period of rest is not optional; it is an absolute necessity for us to gather the strength to produce the spectacular blooms you admire so much. Without this quiet period of withdrawal, our life cycle becomes disrupted, and we cannot perform at our best.
Our most obvious signal to you is the yellowing and browning of our foliage. Please, do not be alarmed. This is a carefully orchestrated process. We are actively drawing every valuable nutrient and ounce of moisture back from our leaves into the bulb for safekeeping. Once our foliage has completely yellowed and withered, it is safe for you to remove it. Cutting it away while it is still green is akin to sealing a letter before it is written—it cuts off the vital flow of resources and weakens us for the next season.
Beneath the soil, we enter a state of quiescence. Our metabolic processes slow to a mere trickle. We are not inert; we are waiting, listening, and processing. The specific requirements for this period depend largely on our species. For those of us from summer-rainfall regions (like Nerine bowdenii), we can tolerate summer moisture as we are preparing for our autumn bloom. However, for many others, especially those from winter-rainfall climates, a warm, dry summer is essential. During this hot, dry rest, the soil around our bulbs must be well-draining. Soggy, cold soil around a dormant bulb is a death sentence, inviting rot and fungal diseases that can destroy us.
Our internal clock is finely tuned to the environment. The trigger to break dormancy is typically the combination of cooling temperatures and the arrival of autumn rains. This change in soil moisture and temperature is the signal we have been waiting for. It tells us that the harsh, dry summer is over and favorable conditions for root growth are returning. You may not see immediate action above ground, but below the surface, we are stirring. Tiny new roots begin to emerge from our base, seeking water and nutrients to fuel the rapid flower spike that will soon follow, often before our new leaves even appear.
The most important care you can provide is to understand and respect this innate rhythm. Please, resist the urge to water us on your summer watering schedule. Hold back the water until you see the first signs of new growth or feel the definitive chill of autumn in the air. Fertilize us when we are actively growing, not when we are sleeping. By mirroring the natural conditions of our native habitats—dry summers and moist autumns—you allow us to perform the ancient dance of growth, bloom, and rest that has been encoded within us for generations.
