To cultivate us for vibrant and fragrant cut flowers indoors, you must understand our fundamental needs. We are not typical houseplants; we are cool-season annual vines that crave abundant light and specific temperatures to thrive. By carefully replicating our ideal conditions, you can encourage us to produce the long, sturdy stems and prolific blooms we are known for.
Choose dwarf or bush-type cultivars specifically bred for container growing and prolific flowering, such as 'Cupani' or the 'Knee-Hi' series. Our seeds have a hard coat; to awaken us from dormancy, you must soften this shell. Gently nick the seed coat with a file or soak us in tepid water for 4-8 hours before planting. This mimics the natural abrasion and moisture we would experience in the soil, signaling that it is time to germinate.
We require deep containers, at least 8-12 inches, to accommodate our root systems. Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Our most critical demand is for light. We are phototropic and will grow vigorously towards the sun. Place us in the brightest possible location—a south-facing window is ideal. Without a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, our stems will become weak and leggy, searching for light, and our flower production will be poor. We prefer cool roots and moderate air temperatures between 55-65°F (13-18°C).
Even dwarf varieties benefit from support. As we grow, we will instinctively reach out with our tendrils to cling and climb. Install a small trellis, a cluster of bamboo stakes, or a vertical netting system in our pot early on. This support prevents our stems from tangling, improves air circulation to deter mildew, and encourages the growth of straight, long stems perfect for cutting. Guide our young tendrils towards the support to help us establish a grip.
To fuel our flowering, feed us with a fertilizer high in potassium (the K in N-P-K) every two to three weeks once we have developed several sets of true leaves. Potassium is essential for bud formation and enhancing our signature fragrance. The single most important thing you can do to prolong our blooming period is to cut our flowers. We flower to set seed. If you regularly cut the blooms for arrangements, you prevent seed pods from forming, which tricks us into producing more and more flowers in an attempt to reproduce.
For the longest vase life, cut our stems in the cool of the morning when at least two florets on a stem are open. Use sharp, clean shears and cut just above a leaf joint. This encourages us to send up new flowering shoots from that node. Immediately place the cut stems in deep, cool water. We are heavy drinkers; ensure the vase is kept full to keep our delicate petals from wilting.
