From my perspective as a plant, light is my food. It is the fundamental energy source I use to create the sugars that fuel all my processes, including flower production. To get me to bloom more, I need a lot of it. Ideally, place me where I can bask in at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing exposure is perfect. If I am indoors, a bright windowsill is my best friend. Without sufficient light, my stems will become long and leggy as I stretch desperately to find a sunbeam, and I will divert all my energy to survival, not to making beautiful flowers for you.
While a balanced general-purpose fertilizer is good for my initial leafy growth, to trigger prolific blooming, I need a specific diet. I require a fertilizer with a higher concentration of phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio, e.g., 5-10-5 or 10-20-10). Phosphorus is the nutrient that directly supports the development of strong roots, seeds, and most importantly, flowers. Please feed me with this bloom-booster fertilizer every two to four weeks during my active growing season (spring through early fall). Overfeeding me with high-nitrogen fertilizer will only make me produce more leaves at the expense of flowers.
My watering needs are a delicate balance. I do not like to have my roots sitting in constantly soggy soil; this leads to root rot, a condition that is fatal and will certainly prevent any blooming. Water me thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, allowing the excess water to drain away completely. On the other hand, if you let me become too dry and wilt repeatedly, I will become severely stressed. When I am stressed, my sole mission is survival, and I will abort flower buds to conserve water and energy. Consistent, moderate moisture is the key to keeping me happy and flowering.
This is one of the most direct ways you can signal to me to produce more flowers. When a flower fades and begins to die, my biological imperative is to channel energy into producing seeds from that spent bloom. By carefully pinching or snipping off the old flower head (a process you call deadheading), you interrupt this seed-setting process. This tricks me into thinking I need to try again to reproduce. Consequently, I will redirect my energy away from seed production and into creating new flower buds to replace the one you removed. Remember to remove the entire flower stalk down to the base for the neatest appearance and best results.
I am somewhat of a fan of being slightly root-bound. When my roots comfortably fill the pot, it encourages me to focus my energy on flowering rather than expanding my root system indefinitely. However, there is a limit. If I become severely pot-bound, with a dense mat of roots circling the container, I will become stressed and unable to take up sufficient water and nutrients, which will halt flowering. If you notice my growth has stalled or I am drying out extremely quickly, it may be time to repot me into a container only one or two inches larger in diameter with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
