You have placed me in a location where I cannot perform my most critical function: photosynthesis. I am a sun-worshipper, requiring a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily to produce the abundant energy needed for flower production. If I am planted in a shady spot or near taller plants that steal my sunlight, my survival instinct takes over. I will direct all the energy I can muster into growing taller to reach the light (becoming leggy) and into maintaining basic leaf function. Blooming is a luxury I simply cannot afford under these low-light conditions. Without ample sun, the hormonal signals that trigger bud formation are never sent.
The soil you have given me may be out of balance. While fertilizers are well-intentioned, an excess of nitrogen (the first number on the fertilizer package) encourages me to focus exclusively on vegetative growth. I will produce an abundance of lush, green leaves at the expense of flowers. I require a fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number) to support robust bud formation and blooming. Furthermore, if the soil pH is extremely acidic or alkaline, my root system cannot effectively access the nutrients that are present, even if they are in the soil. I prefer a neutral to slightly acidic pH for optimal nutrient uptake.
My relationship with water is delicate. Inconsistent watering creates immense stress for my root system. Periods of severe drought cause me to go into survival mode, halting all non-essential processes like flowering to conserve water. Conversely, soil that is perpetually waterlogged suffocates my roots, leading to root rot. Oxygen cannot reach them, and they begin to decay, making it impossible for me to uptake water and nutrients effectively. A stressed plant cannot bloom. I need consistently moist, but never soggy, soil to support the high metabolic demands of flowering.
You must understand my reproductive strategy. My primary purpose is to flower, set seed, and ensure the next generation. If you allow my spent flowers to wither and develop seeds, my job is complete. I will cease producing new blooms because I have no evolutionary incentive to do so. You must deadhead me! By consistently removing the faded flowers before they form seed heads, you trick me into a state of perpetual reproduction. I will continuously attempt to produce more flowers to achieve my goal of setting seed, resulting in a longer and more abundant bloom period for you.
The weather is a factor beyond your or my control. If temperatures are consistently below 60°F (15°C) or above 85°F (29°C), I may slow down or pause my blooming process. Extreme heat, especially night-time heat, causes me significant stress. Furthermore, if I was planted too early in the spring while the soil was still cold, my growth could have been stunted from the beginning. Crowding is another issue; if my siblings are planted too close to me, we will compete fiercely for sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. This competition diverts energy away from flowering and towards a struggle for basic resources.
