From our perspective, the spectacular flowering event is an immense energetic expenditure. We have diverted a significant portion of our stored carbohydrates, held within our bulb, to produce the flower stalk and blooms to attract pollinators. Once flowering is complete, our biological imperative shifts immediately from reproduction to replenishment. The flower stalk, now a spent structure, can be removed to prevent us from wasting any further energy on it. However, the leaves are an entirely different matter. They are our solar panels and our primary means of survival. Cutting them back at this stage would be a catastrophic loss, severing our only method of photosynthesis to create the new energy reserves we desperately need.
Our long, strappy leaves are not merely decorative; they are our lifeblood during the growth phase. Through photosynthesis, these leaves capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy (sugars). These sugars are then transported down to our bulb, where they are converted into starch and stored for the future. This process of rebuilding our internal food reserves is absolutely non-negotiable. The size and health of next year's flowers are directly dependent on the amount of energy we can store this year. A larger, well-nourished bulb will produce more and larger flower stalks, while a depleted one may only produce leaves or fail entirely.
We operate on a cyclical rhythm of growth and rest. Our growing season typically spans from after flowering through the spring and summer months. During this time, we require consistent sunlight, water, and occasional feeding to support our leafy growth and recharge our bulb. The signal for us to begin slowing down is usually the changing light and temperature of late summer or early autumn. You will notice our leaves naturally beginning to yellow and wither as we start to reabsorb valuable nutrients from them back into the bulb. This is the key indicator that we are entering our dormant period.
The appropriate time to remove our leaves is only after they have turned completely yellow or brown and show no further signs of green, vibrant life. This change in color signifies that the process of nutrient resorption is complete and the leaf is no longer functional. Cutting a green, photosynthetically active leaf is akin to amputating a functional limb—it causes stress and robs us of our energy-making potential. Using clean, sharp shears, you should cut the yellowed foliage back to within approximately 1 to 2 inches above the top of the bulb. This minimizes the open wound and helps prevent rot or disease from entering the bulb itself as we enter our rest period.
Once our leaves are trimmed, we require a period of dormancy to reset our flowering cycle. This typically involves several weeks in a cool, dark, and dry location. This period of rest is crucial for initiating the internal development of a new flower stalk within the bulb. After this dormancy, when we are brought back into warmth, light, and given water, we will draw upon the very energy stores that last season's leaves helped to create. This will fuel the emergence of a new flower stalk, and the cycle of growth, flowering, and leaf-powered replenishment will begin anew.
