When you first bring me home, I am often in a dormant state, my life force contained within my bulb. I may look like a sleepy, brown onion, but I hold immense potential. Please choose a pot for me that is only about 1-2 inches wider in diameter than my bulb. I appreciate a snug home. Good drainage is absolutely critical; I despise soggy feet which will cause me to rot. Plant me so that the top third to half of my bulb remains proudly above the soil line. This allows my neck and shoulders to breathe and prevents moisture-related issues. Water me sparingly after planting, just enough to settle the soil around my roots.
Place me in a warm, bright location, and you will soon witness my green spike emerge dramatically from my crown. This is my grand entrance! As I grow, I will thirst for more water, but always check my soil first. It should feel slightly dry to the touch before you offer me a drink. Rotate my pot regularly, as I will naturally bend towards the light. My sturdy stalk will rise, bearing magnificent trumpet-shaped flowers. This is my way of showing gratitude for your care. During this active growth period, I welcome a half-strength, water-soluble fertilizer every couple of weeks to fuel my spectacular show.
After my flowers fade, the most important part of your care begins if you wish to see me bloom again. Do not remove my flower stalk immediately! Allow it to yellow and wither naturally, as I am reabsorbing its valuable nutrients back into my bulb. However, you should carefully snip off the spent flower heads to prevent me from wasting energy on seed production. Continue to water and feed me generously throughout the spring and summer. My long, strap-like leaves are my solar panels, soaking up sunlight to photosynthesize and store energy for next year's bloom deep within my bulb.
By late summer or early autumn, I will begin to signal that I am tired. My leaves will yellow and die back. This is not a cause for alarm; it is my natural cycle. I require a period of rest. Please stop fertilizing me and significantly reduce watering. Once my foliage has yellowed, you can trim it back to about 2 inches above my bulb. Move me to a cool, dark, and dry location—such as a basement or closet—for 8 to 10 weeks. This dormant period is non-negotiable; it is my time to rest and reset my internal clock for another flowering cycle.
When you see a new green tip emerging from my crown after my long nap, it is time to bring me back into the light. Repot me in fresh potting mix if my roots look crowded. Resume watering lightly initially, gradually increasing as I grow. With proper light, water, and a return to regular feeding, I will channel all the energy I stored during my growth phase into producing a new flower stalk. Witnessing me rebloom is the ultimate reward for understanding and respecting my complete life cycle.
