From my perspective, sunlight is my food. It is the essential energy I need to photosynthesize, create sugars, and grow strong. If I am planted in a shady spot or receive less than six hours of direct, unfiltered sun per day, my growth will be severely stunted. My stems become long and leggy as I desperately stretch toward any available light, and I will not have the energy to produce my vibrant bracts. Without ample sunlight, my entire system is in conservation mode, and putting on new growth is a low priority. Ensure I am in your sunniest possible location.
My root system is very particular about moisture. I despise having "wet feet." If I am sitting in heavy, poorly draining soil or a pot without adequate drainage holes, my roots will suffocate and begin to rot. This root rot prevents me from absorbing water and nutrients, effectively starving me and halting all growth above the soil. Conversely, if you are too cautious and let my soil become bone dry for extended periods, I become severely dehydrated. Without water, I cannot transport nutrients or maintain turgor pressure in my cells, causing my growth to stop and my leaves to wilt and drop. I prefer a deep watering followed by a period where my soil can dry out somewhat.
While I am not a excessively greedy feeder, I still require a balanced diet to thrive. If I am planted in poor, depleted soil, I simply lack the building blocks for new growth. However, the wrong type of food can be just as problematic. A fertilizer high in nitrogen will encourage you to have lush, green leaves at the expense of my beautiful flowers. I need a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) to promote strong root development and prolific blooming. A lack of essential micronutrients can also cause my growth to become stunted and my leaves to yellow, a silent cry for a more complete meal.
If I am growing in a container, my roots need room to explore and expand. When I become pot-bound, my roots circle the inside of the pot, becoming densely matted. This congestion makes it incredibly difficult for me to take up sufficient water and nutrients, no matter how much you provide. My growth will inevitably slow to a crawl and I will become stressed. I need to be carefully repotted into a slightly larger home with fresh, well-draining soil every few years to allow for continued growth.
I am a tropical plant at heart. I thrive in warmth and become sluggish and dormant when I am cold. If nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 40°F (4°C), I will go into survival mode and cease all growth. Cold drafts, frost, or even chilly winds can cause significant stress, damaging my tissues and halting my development. For vigorous growth, I need consistently warm conditions, which is why I flourish in summer heat.
