As a plant, my primary energy source is sunlight, which I convert into food through photosynthesis. This energy is not just for growing leaves; it is absolutely critical for producing my magnificent, fragrant flower spikes. If I am not blooming, the most common reason is that I am simply not receiving enough light. I may be in a location that is too shaded or only receives indirect light for a short part of the day. To trigger and sustain the massive energy expenditure of blooming, I require a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct, full sunlight daily. Without this, my system prioritizes basic survival and leaf growth over reproduction (flowering).
My beautiful flowers do not magically appear; they emerge from the stored energy within my bulb (more accurately, a tuberous rootstock). If I was recently planted, I may simply be too young or my bulb may have been too small to contain the necessary resources for a bloom cycle. A blooming-sized bulb is typically at least 2-3 inches in diameter. Smaller bulbs must spend a season or two gathering sunlight and storing energy, growing larger underground before they are mature and robust enough to support the flowering process. My focus in the first year is often on establishing a strong root system and increasing my bulb size for future success.
The process of creating a flower spike is incredibly demanding. It requires a consistent and ample supply of water and specific nutrients. If my soil is allowed to dry out completely, I become stressed and will conserve my resources, halting flower production. Conversely, if my roots are sitting in waterlogged soil, they may rot, preventing me from taking up any water or nutrients at all. Furthermore, while I need nutrition, the wrong balance can be detrimental. A fertilizer too high in nitrogen will encourage my leaves to grow lushly at the expense of flowers. I require a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) to promote healthy bud formation and blooming.
My natural lifecycle includes a period of dormancy. In my native habitat, after I flower and the growing season ends, my foliage will yellow and die back as I enter a rest period. If you dig up my bulbs and store them, or if I am in the ground in a warm climate, I need this break. If I am not allowed a proper dormancy—perhaps because I was kept too warm and wet—I may become confused and not initiate a new bloom cycle. Similarly, if I am planted outdoors at the wrong time or in a climate that is too cold for too long, my energy cycles can be disrupted, delaying or preventing flowering.
I am a sensitive organism. Any major recent disruption can cause me to abort my flower spike or fail to initiate one. This includes being recently divided or transplanted, which can shock my root system. A sudden drastic change in temperature, a pest infestation that is sapping my energy, or a disease attacking my leaves (my solar panels) can all force me to redirect energy away from blooming and toward survival. Ensuring I am in a stable environment with healthy, well-draining soil is fundamental to reducing stress and allowing me to direct my energy toward my primary goal: producing my fragrant blooms.
