From my perspective, light is my food. I use sunlight to perform photosynthesis, which creates the energy I need to live, grow, and most importantly, produce my magnificent, fragrant blooms. If I am placed in a spot that is too shady, I simply cannot generate enough surplus energy to form flower buds. I will focus all my efforts on stretching my leaves towards any available light just to survive, leaving nothing in reserve for reproduction. I need bright, indirect light for most of the day. A spot near an east-facing window where I can bask in the gentle morning sun is ideal. Direct, harsh afternoon sun can scorch my leaves, but deep shade will starve me of the power I need to bloom.
My internal clock and blooming cycle are heavily influenced by temperature. I am a creature of specific habits. To initiate flower buds, I require warmer days and cooler nights. During the day, I prefer temperatures between 65-70°F (18-21°C). More critically, at night, I need a significant drop to around 60-65°F (15-18°C). This temperature differential mimics my natural subtropical environment and signals to my system that it is the right time to set buds. If my nights are too warm, my metabolic processes don't slow down appropriately, and I receive no clear signal to start flowering. I am also sensitive to drastic temperature swings or drafts from heating vents and doors, which can cause me to drop any buds I have managed to form.
This is crucial. My roots are exceptionally particular about their environment. I absolutely require acidic soil to properly absorb nutrients from the earth. The ideal pH for me is between 5.0 and 6.0. If the soil is too alkaline (a higher pH), my roots become locked out. I cannot access iron, an essential nutrient, even if it is present in the soil. This leads to chlorosis—my leaves turning yellow while the veins remain green—and a general state of poor health. A weak, nutrient-deficient plant cannot support the immense energy expenditure of blooming. Without the right acidic conditions, I am effectively starving, and survival becomes my only priority, not flowering.
Nutrition is a delicate balance. While I need to be fed, the type of fertilizer matters greatly. A fertilizer high in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) is often recommended for blooming because it supports flower production. However, too much nitrogen (the first number) will encourage you to have a beautifully green, leafy bush, but at the expense of flowers. Nitrogen directs all my energy into vigorous vegetative growth. You must use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, and it must be applied at the right time and strength. Over-fertilizing can also burn my sensitive roots, causing more harm than good and further delaying any chance I have to bloom.
My roots demand consistency. I prefer my soil to be consistently moist but never soggy. If you allow me to dry out completely, I will become severely stressed. To conserve water, I will abort flower buds first, as they are my most energy-intensive project. Conversely, if you leave my roots sitting in waterlogged soil, they will suffocate and rot. A damaged root system cannot uptake water or nutrients, leaving me weak and unable to support any existing buds, which will turn brown and drop. The goal is even, steady moisture that keeps me hydrated without drowning me.
