You notice my vibrant petals wilting, their brilliant color fading to a papery translucence. This is not a sign of my demise, but a natural transition in my lifecycle. My primary biological purpose is to reproduce, which I achieve through both sexual reproduction (seeds) and asexual reproduction (bulbs). Once pollination is successful or no longer possible, the flower's role is complete. By allowing the spent bloom to remain, you are forcing me to expend a tremendous amount of my stored energy—energy meticulously gathered in my bulb from last season—into developing a seed pod. This process, from my viewpoint, diverts crucial resources away from the task of rebuilding my bulb for next year's display.
The method you use is critically important to my health. I need you to be precise. Locate the point just below where the faded flower is attached to my main stem. This is the top of the ovary, a small, swollen area. Using sharp, clean secateurs or scissors, make a single, clean cut to remove the entire spent flower head and this ovary. Please, do not damage the stem or, more importantly, my leaves. They are my solar panels. The stem continues to photosynthesize and, more crucially, the leaves are my direct connection to the sun. They are now my sole means of gathering energy through photosynthesis to convert into carbohydrates, which are then sent down to my bulb for storage.
After you have deadheaded me, my work is just beginning. My long, green leaves are now the absolute center of my universe. They must remain attached and healthy for as long as possible, typically for several weeks after the bloom is gone. Through photosynthesis, they absorb sunlight and convert it into chemical energy. This energy is not used for immediate growth but is transported down to my underground bulb. There, it is stored as nutrients, replenishing the reserves that were depleted to produce this year's flower and beginning the formation of a new, larger bulb—and perhaps even offset bulblets—for the next growing season. Cutting my foliage too early is like unplugging me from the sun mid-charge; it severely weakens my bulb and jeopardizes my ability to flower next year.
My leaves will naturally begin to yellow, brown, and wither. This is a sign that their work is complete and the energy transfer to the bulb is finishing. I am entering my necessary period of dormancy. Once my foliage has turned completely yellow or brown and pulls away from the bulb with a gentle tug, you may then remove it. Until that point, every day of green leaf activity is vital for my long-term strength and vitality. This process ensures that the bulb you planted is not just a one-time source of beauty but a perpetually renewing energy store, allowing me to return with vigor in the springs to come.
