First, you must understand what I am. I am a sun-worshipper, a child of the tropics and subtropics. My very essence is programmed to seek out intense, bright light to fuel the energy-intensive process of creating flowers. To coax me into bloom indoors, you must replicate these conditions as closely as possible. Place me directly in front of your brightest window, ideally a south-facing one. I need a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Without this crucial energy, my internal systems simply will not allocate resources to flowering; survival will be my only priority. East or west-facing windows can work, but the intensity and duration of light may not be optimal for prolific blooming.
My flowering cycle is deeply tied to temperature. During my main growing season (spring and summer), I thrive in consistent warmth, between 65-75°F (18-24°C). However, to initiate the development of flower buds, I require a significant drop in temperature at night. This 10-15 degree Fahrenheit (5-8 degree Celsius) dip, ideally bringing my environment to around 55-60°F (13-15°C) at night, is a critical environmental signal. It tells me that the seasons are changing, mimicking the cool nights of my native habitat and triggering my reproductive phase. Furthermore, the dry air of your heated or air-conditioned home is stressful. Please increase humidity around me with a pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier; this prevents my precious buds from drying out and aborting.
My relationship with water is a delicate balance. My roots despise sitting in constant moisture, which will cause them to rot and effectively starve me. Water me deeply only when the top inch of my soil feels dry to the touch, and always ensure excess water can drain freely from the pot. Equally important is your feeding strategy. To flower, I need the right nutritional balance. A fertilizer high in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) promotes bud formation and blooming. Feed me with a bloom-specific or high-phosphorus fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season, but please reduce or stop feeding me entirely in the late fall and winter when my growth slows.
I cannot bloom year-round without rest. After a period of vigorous growth and flowering, I need a period of dormancy in the late fall and winter. This is not a sign of illness but a necessary rest. During this time, reduce watering, cease fertilization, and keep me in a cooler spot (around 50-60°F / 10-15°C). This period of cool rest is vital for setting buds for the next season. When you notice new growth emerging in early spring, it is time to prune. Pruning shapes me and encourages new growth, which is where my flowers will form. Do not be afraid to cut back leggy stems; it redirects my energy to producing more robust branches capable of supporting a heavy load of fragrant blossoms.
