First, check my soil. If the top inch is dry and crumbly to your touch, I am severely thirsty. My cells are losing turgor pressure, the internal water pressure that keeps my stems rigid and my leaves perky. This is the most common reason I wilt. Water me deeply and slowly at my base until water runs freely from the drainage holes. Ensure I am not sitting in a saucer of water afterward, as this leads to my next critical issue.
If my soil is constantly wet, cold, and has a musty odor, you have over-corrected. My roots are drowning. Saturated soil pushes out oxygen, which my roots need to respire. Without oxygen, they begin to rot and die, becoming brown and mushy. They can no longer absorb water or nutrients, ironically causing me to wilt despite the soggy conditions. You must stop watering immediately. Consider gently removing me from the pot to inspect the roots and allow them to air out. In severe cases, repot me into fresh, well-draining soil.
I may be wilting due to environmental stress. Carnations like me thrive in bright, indirect light. If I am in intense, direct sunlight, especially through a window, I can overheat and lose water too rapidly through transpiration, much like you sweating. Conversely, if I am in a deep, dark corner, I lack the energy to sustain myself properly. Also, check for drafts from air conditioners, heaters, or open windows. Sudden temperature fluctuations are a significant shock to my system, causing stress and wilting. Please move me to a stable location with consistent, gentle light and temperature.
Examine my leaves, stems, and the soil surface closely. Pests like aphids or spider mites suck the sap from my tissues, weakening me and causing wilting. Fungal diseases, often encouraged by wet foliage or poor air circulation, can attack my stem at the soil line (a condition called stem rot), blocking my vascular system and preventing water uptake. Isolate me from other plants if you suspect this. You may need to treat me with an appropriate insecticidal soap or fungicide, and always improve air circulation around my foliage.
If my basic needs are met but I still struggle, consider my long-term sustenance. When was the last time I was fed? A lack of essential nutrients, particularly potassium which regulates water movement, can lead to weakness. A diluted, balanced fertilizer might help. Furthermore, if I have been in the same pot for years, my roots are likely pot-bound. They have filled the container entirely, leaving little soil to hold water, causing me to dehydrate rapidly. It is time to repot me into a slightly larger home with fresh potting mix.
