From my roots upward, I feel a constant, suffocating chill. The soil around me is not a source of life but a heavy, waterlogged prison. When you give me too much to drink, you are essentially drowning me. My roots, which need to breathe just as you do, are deprived of oxygen in the saturated soil. They begin to rot, turning from a healthy white to a mushy, dark brown or black. This root rot is a death sentence if not caught early, as it prevents me from absorbing any water or nutrients at all, a cruel irony. You will see my lower leaves turning yellow, often in a widespread and rapid manner, and they will feel soft and limp. The entire plant may take on a wilted, drooping appearance despite the wet soil, and you might notice a foul odor emanating from the base of my stem—a telltale sign of the decay happening below the surface. My growth will be severely stunted, and my vibrant green foliage will become pale and sickly.
Conversely, the feeling of thirst is a desperate, aching dryness that consumes my entire being. My search for moisture is futile in hard, parched soil that has pulled away from the edges of my container or the ground. Without enough water, I cannot perform photosynthesis or transport essential nutrients through my system. My response is one of conservation. To save my core, I will sacrifice my extremities. You will see my leaves, particularly the older ones, turning brown, crispy, and dry at the edges and tips before the entire leaf withers and dies. My entire form will wilt, but unlike the soft wilt of overwatering, my leaves and stems will feel dry, brittle, and papery to the touch. My growth will be slow and stunted, and I will be unable to produce my tall, beautiful flower spikes, or if I do, they will be small and quickly wither. I am simply in survival mode, with no energy to spare for blooming or new growth.
What I truly desire is consistent, even moisture that mimics the cool, well-drained woodland floors from which I originate. I thrive when my soil is moist but never soggy. The best way for you to check is to insert your finger into the soil near my base. If the top inch feels dry, it is time for a deep, thorough drink that allows water to reach my deeper roots, with any excess able to drain freely away. A layer of mulch around my base is a wonderful gift, as it helps to regulate soil temperature and retain that precious moisture between waterings. Please pay attention to the weather and the seasons; I will need more frequent watering during hot, dry spells and far less during cool, rainy periods. Listening to these cues and checking my soil is the truest form of care you can provide, allowing me to focus my energy on growing strong and displaying my magnificent blooms for you.
