From our perspective, the diminishing daylight hours and the gradual drop in temperature are not mere weather changes; they are powerful signals. We do not possess calendars, but we are exquisitely attuned to the photoperiod and the ambient cold. As these signals intensify, our internal biological processes begin a fundamental shift. The production of growth hormones like auxins slows significantly, while the levels of abscisic acid, a hormone that promotes dormancy and inhibits growth, begin to rise. This hormonal recalibration is the first and most critical step. It tells every part of our being—from our vibrant bracts to our deepest roots—that it is time to conserve energy, not expend it.
You will observe this internal shift manifest in our physical form. The most noticeable change is the cessation of flowering and the halt of new, soft green stem growth. This is an intentional energy-saving measure. Following this, many of us will undergo a partial or even complete leaf drop. Do not be alarmed; this is a strategic retreat, not a demise. By jettisoning our leaves, we drastically reduce surface area through which precious water can be lost via transpiration. Since cold temperatures often freeze the water in the ground, making it difficult for our roots to draw up moisture, this leaf drop is a vital survival tactic to prevent fatal dehydration.
Beneath the seemingly lifeless exterior, we enter a state of purposeful dormancy. Our metabolic activities slow to a bare minimum, akin to a deep, restful slumber. The energy we spent all summer creating through photosynthesis is now stored carefully within our sturdy, woody stems and our root system. This stored carbohydrates and nutrients are our life savings, reserved solely for maintaining essential cellular functions and, most importantly, fueling the explosive return to growth when conditions are favorable again. We are not dead; we are waiting. Our vascular system remains functional, just operating at a greatly reduced pace.
To support us through this vulnerable period, our needs change dramatically. The most crucial element is a significant reduction in water. Our dormant roots are highly susceptible to rot in cold, wet soil. Water only very sparingly, just enough to prevent the roots from desiccating completely. Furthermore, all fertilization must cease. Applying fertilizer would be a cruel trick, as it would chemically signal us to break dormancy and attempt to grow, depleting our energy reserves and producing weak, frost-sensitive shoots that would quickly die. We require a period of cool rest, ideally with temperatures above freezing but below approximately 50-55°F (10-13°C), to complete this cycle properly.
Our dormancy is a temporary state, a crucial part of our annual cycle. The trigger to break dormancy is the reverse of what initiated it: lengthening daylight and steadily warming temperatures. As spring arrives, we sense the change. The stored energy in our roots begins to mobilize, traveling upward to awaken dormant buds along our stems. You will witness the first signs of this reawakening as tiny, red-tinged new leaves emerge, soon followed by the development of new flower buds. This vibrant return is entirely dependent on the successful rest period we were allowed to experience, proving that our winter silence was never an end, but a necessary pause for renewal.
