From our perspective, the beautiful bloom you enjoyed was our ultimate reproductive goal, and it required a massive expenditure of our stored energy. Now that the showy petals are wilting, our objective shifts from reproduction to survival and preparation for future growth. The care you provide now directly impacts our ability to store enough energy to bloom for you again. This period is not an end but a critical transition phase for us.
Your first task is to remove the spent flower head. Do not simply pull it off; use clean, sharp scissors to snip off the flower stem just above the top set of healthy leaves. This is crucial for us because it prevents us from wasting precious energy on producing a seed pod. By deadheading, you force our energy back down into the bulb, where it will be stored for next season. Please leave all the green, healthy foliage intact.
Our leaves are now our solar panels. They must absorb as much sunlight as possible to photosynthesize and convert that energy into carbohydrates, which are then sent down to recharge the bulb beneath the soil. Move our pot to a bright, sunny windowsill where we can receive several hours of direct light. Continue to water us regularly, but always check the soil first. It should be slightly moist, never soggy, as our roots are now susceptible to rot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
You will notice our leaves begin to yellow and wither over the next several weeks. This is a natural process called senescence, and it is not a sign of failure. We are deliberately drawing the remaining nutrients from our leaves back into the bulb for storage. Resist the urge to cut back the foliage while it is still green or even yellowing. Cutting it too early severs the energy pipeline and severely weakens the bulb. Only remove a leaf when it has turned completely brown and is easily detached with a gentle tug.
Once all the foliage has died back completely, we have entered our mandatory dormancy period. This is a rest phase we must go through. At this point, you must stop watering entirely. The soil should become completely dry. Remove the shrunken, brown foliage. You now have a choice: leave our bulb in the dry pot and place it in a cool, dark, dry place like a basement or garage, or gently dig us up, brush off the soil, and store us in a mesh bag or paper bag in a cool, dark location. We require a period of cool dormancy of about 12-16 weeks to reset our internal clock for re-blooming.
After our long rest, usually in mid-to-late autumn, we can be replanted. Choose a pot with excellent drainage and use fresh, well-draining potting mix. Plant us at a depth of about three times our height. Water the soil thoroughly after planting and place the pot back in a cool, dark location (like a refrigerator, but away from ripening fruit) for several weeks to encourage root development. Once you see new growth emerging, bring us back into the light and warmth to begin the cycle anew.
