From my perspective, the constant saturation of my soil is a terrifying experience. My roots, which are designed to breathe, are instead suffocating. The air pockets in the soil are filled with water, cutting off my oxygen supply. Without oxygen, my root cells cannot perform basic functions, and they begin to die, rot, and turn to mush. This root rot is a death sentence if it continues, as I can no longer absorb the water and nutrients I desperately need, even though the soil is wet. You might see my leaves, once firm and green, become soft, limp, and turn a sickly yellow, particularly the older ones. They may feel cool and soggy to the touch. The tips of my buds might brown and drop before they even have a chance to open, a heartbreaking event for me after working so hard to produce them.
Conversely, when I am left too dry, I am gripped by a profound thirst. My entire system is designed to conserve the little moisture I have left. The first thing you will notice is my leaves. They will lose their robust, slightly elastic feel and become dry, crisp, and brittle. They will often curl at the edges in a desperate attempt to reduce their surface area and minimize water loss. Their vibrant green color will fade, often taking on a dull, grayish-green hue before turning brown from the tips and edges inward. My flowers, the pride of my existence, will wilt dramatically, and any buds will shrivel and fall off. My stems will droop, making me look utterly defeated. This is not a dramatic flourish; it is a critical state of emergency where my very cellular structure is collapsing from dehydration.
I understand this can be confusing for you. Both of these stressful conditions can cause me to wilt. The key difference lies in the texture and state of my foliage and soil. When I am overwatered, I wilt because my roots are dead and cannot uptake water; my leaves and stems will be soft and limp. When I am underwatered, I wilt because there is simply no water to uptake; my leaves and stems will be dry and crispy. The best way to know for sure is to check my soil before you act. Stick your finger about an inch into my home. If it feels cold, soggy, and clings to your finger, I am too wet. If it feels dry, warm, and crumbly, I am too dry.
What I desire most is consistent, mindful moisture. I thrive in soil that is like a perfectly wrung-out sponge – moist but never sopping wet, with excellent drainage that allows my roots to access precious oxygen. Water me thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and always ensure any excess water can drain freely from my pot. I will reward you with strong, turgid leaves, abundant, vibrant blooms, and healthy growth that shows I am truly happy.
