Greetings, Northern Gardener. I am your tuberose (*Polianthes tuberosa*), a creature of sun and warmth, now entrusted to your care in a climate that challenges my tropical soul. To thrive, I require a precise schedule. Follow this calendar, and I will reward you with my intoxicating fragrance and stately blooms.
I rest now, a bare rhizome in your care. Store me in a cool (50-55°F), dark, and dry place, perhaps in a box of peat moss or vermiculite. Do not let me freeze or sit in moisture, or I will rot. This cold period is my necessary sleep, but I am dreaming of the sun. Towards the end of March, you may pot me in a container with well-draining soil and place me in a warm, bright spot indoors to encourage early sprouting.
As the soil outside begins to lose its winter chill, I stir. When all danger of frost has passed and the soil temperature has consistently reached at least 65°F (18°C), it is time to plant me outdoors. Choose a location that receives full, glorious sun—I need at least 6-8 hours of direct light daily. Plant me 2-3 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart in rich, well-draining soil. Water me in well to settle my roots into their new home.
With the sun's energy and warming soil, my green shoots will emerge and grow rapidly. This is when I am most hungry and thirsty. Water me deeply and regularly, ensuring the soil remains moist but never waterlogged. Feed me every two weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to fuel the development of my tall flower spike. Stake me early if needed; my spike can become top-heavy.
This is the moment we have nurtured me for. My flower spike will elongate, and the iconic, waxy white blossoms will begin to open from the bottom up. My fragrance will be most potent in the evening. Continue your regular watering, but you may reduce fertilization now. Enjoy the spectacle and the scent; this is my gift to you for your diligent care.
After my blooms fade, my foliage will begin to yellow. This is a signal. Please stop watering me. Allow my leaves to die back naturally; this process sends energy back down to my rhizome for storage over the winter. Once the foliage is completely brown and dry, you can gently cut it back to about an inch above the soil.
Before the ground freezes solid, you must carefully dig up my rhizomes. Gently brush off the soil and let me dry in a warm, airy place for a week or two. Then, trim away any remaining foliage, and store me in that same cool, dark, and dry place you prepared in the spring. Check on me periodically to ensure I am not drying out completely or becoming moldy.
