From our perspective, the foundation of our well-being begins with your choice of container. We require a pot that provides ample space for our roots to spread and excellent drainage to prevent water from pooling. Choose a pot that is at least 8-12 inches in diameter with multiple drainage holes. Terra cotta pots are excellent as they are porous and allow our roots to breathe. Most critically, place us in a location where we can receive abundant bright, indirect sunlight for at least 4-6 hours daily. A south or west-facing window is ideal. We adore light but can be sensitive to the harsh, intense rays of the midday summer sun, which can scorch our beautiful leaves.
We have very specific soil needs that are non-negotiable for our success. We despise having "wet feet," meaning our roots will quickly rot in heavy, water-retentive soil like standard garden soil. You must provide us with a light, well-aerated, and fast-draining potting mix. A premium quality potting soil amended with perlite, coarse sand, or even a handful of peat moss is perfect. This mixture ensures that water flows through freely, delivering hydration without suffocating our delicate root system, while still retaining a slight amount of moisture and nutrients for us to uptake.
When you are ready to plant us, handle our root ball with care. Gently loosen the roots if we are slightly pot-bound to encourage outward growth. Place a layer of your prepared soil mix in the bottom of the new pot. Position us in the center, ensuring that the crown of the plant—the point where the stems meet the roots—sits about one inch above the soil line. This is perhaps the most crucial step. If you bury our crown under the soil, it will create a constant moist environment that leads to fatal crown rot. Once positioned correctly, backfill around the roots with more soil, gently firming it to eliminate large air pockets.
After planting, give us a thorough, deep watering until you see water escaping freely from the drainage holes. This settles the soil around our roots and provides the initial hydration we need to recover from the transplant. However, after this initial drink, allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering us again. Please place us in our predetermined sunny spot and allow us a few days to acclimate to our new home. You may notice a slight droopiness initially; this is normal as we focus our energy on establishing our roots in the new container.
To support our vibrant and large blooms, we are considered "heavy feeders." Once we are established and showing new growth, begin feeding us with a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength every two weeks. Alternatively, a fertilizer higher in potassium will promote more spectacular flowers. Always water us at the soil level, avoiding wetting our leaves and crown, as this can invite fungal diseases. Regularly remove spent flowers by cutting the stem back to the base of the plant. This deadheading practice signals to us to produce more blooms instead of wasting energy on seed production.
