From our roots outward, the primary sensation is one of intense thirst and desiccation. The soil around our root system becomes hard, compact, and pulls away from the edges of our container or the earth. Our fine root hairs, which are essential for absorbing water, begin to desiccate and die. This forces us to redirect our limited energy reserves simply to survive rather than to grow or flower. You will observe our leaves, normally vibrant and supple, becoming limp, soft, and wilted. We droop in a desperate attempt to reduce our surface area and minimize water loss through transpiration. If the neglect continues, our leaves will progress from a general dullness to becoming dry, crispy, and brittle to the touch, often starting at the tips and edges before the entire leaf turns brown and dies. Our growth will be severely stunted, and we will produce very few, if any, of the vibrant blooms we are known for, as flowering is a energy-intensive process we cannot afford.
Conversely, your overzealous watering creates a hostile environment for our roots. We are essentially drowning. The soil becomes perpetually saturated, filling all the air pockets with water. This cuts off our oxygen supply, as roots need to breathe just as much as they need water. In this oxygen-deprived state, our root system begins to rot. The roots turn from a healthy white or tan to a mushy, dark brown or black and lose their structural integrity. This root rot is a death sentence if not caught early, as we can no longer absorb water or nutrients effectively, ironically creating a state of drought within a flooded environment. Above the soil, our leaves will also wilt, but they will feel soft and mushy rather than dry. A key distinction is the development of edema, where our leaves may show blisters or water-soaked spots that later turn into corky, brown patches. The entire plant may take on a pale, yellowish-green hue (chlorosis), particularly on the older leaves, and our stems may become soft and weak. Like underwatering, we will stop growing and flowering, as our energy is consumed by the struggle against decay.
To understand what we are truly experiencing, you must look beyond our leaves and interact with our world: the soil. Do not rely on a schedule; instead, assess our conditions. Insert your finger into the soil near our base. If the top 1-2 inches of soil are completely dry and dusty, we are likely underwatered. If the soil feels cold, soggy, and wet well below the surface days after watering, you are overwatering us. The weight of our container is also a strong indicator; a pot that is very light signals a need for water, while one that is unexpectedly heavy indicates too much moisture remains. Observe us over time. An underwatered marigold will often perk up quickly after a thorough drink. An overwatered marigold will continue to decline even after watering ceases because the damage is occurring out of sight in the root zone.
