Hello! From my bulb's perspective, this is the most crucial time to get my watering right. After my spectacular show of blooms, I am exhausted. I need to enter a period of deep rest, a dormancy, to gather energy for my next performance. During this time, my roots and my entire being need to dry out. Please, withhold your water. If you continue to water me, you will drown my resting core, and I will likely develop a fatal rot. Let my soil become completely dry and move me to a cool, dark place for 8-10 weeks. This dry, quiet solitude is not neglect; it is the gift of rest I need to survive.
When you notice a new, green flower spike or a hint of leafy growth emerging from my neck, I am signaling that my slumber is over! I am ready to begin a new growth cycle. This is the time for a careful reintroduction to water. Do not drench me immediately. Instead, provide a gentle watering around the base of my bulb, just enough to lightly moisten the top layer of my soil. My roots are reawakening and are tender; a flood would shock them. Place me in a warm, bright location to encourage this new growth.
As my flower stalk rapidly grows and my buds swell, my thirst will increase. My goal is to support this tremendous effort of producing a massive, beautiful bloom. Please water me when the top inch of my soil feels dry to your touch. I enjoy a thorough drink, allowing water to flow freely from the drainage holes at your pot's base. However, I absolutely despise sitting in a soggy saucer of water. This suffocates my roots and invites rot. Empty the saucer after watering. The frequency will depend on your home's warmth and light, but always let that top inch of soil be your guide, not the calendar.
My flowers may be spectacular, but they are fleeting. Once they wither, my focus shifts to my long, strappy leaves. These leaves are my solar panels! Through them, I absorb sunlight and convert it into energy that I store directly in my bulb for next year's flower show. This is a critical period. Please continue to water me regularly, as before, whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Provide me with bright, indirect light and perhaps a occasional, mild fertilizer. This consistent care allows my leaves to grow strong and photosynthesize efficiently, ensuring I have the strength to bloom for you again.
