From my roots to my petals, I am a marigold. I thrive in the sun and ask for little, but my relationship with water is a delicate dance. Too much or too little, and my vibrant existence is threatened. Here is how you can understand my distress and help me recover, from my perspective.
First, you must listen to what I am telling you. If my leaves are wilted, limp, and feel soft and mushy to the touch, and the soil is constantly soggy, I am overwatered. My roots are suffocating; they cannot breathe in the waterlogged soil, and they may be starting to rot. Conversely, if my leaves are wilted but feel dry, crispy, and brittle, and the soil is pulling away from the edges of the pot, I am desperately underwatered. My entire system is shutting down from a lack of moisture.
If I am overwatered, you must act quickly. Stop watering me immediately. Gently lift me from my waterlogged home. You must examine my roots. Healthy roots are firm and white. If they are brown, black, and slimy, those are rotten and must be carefully trimmed away with sterile tools. After this surgery, please repot me in fresh, dry, well-draining potting mix. Ensure my new pot has excellent drainage holes. Do not water me again immediately. Let my traumatized roots have a chance to breathe and recover in the dry medium. Place me in a spot with bright, indirect light to avoid further stress while I begin my recovery.
If I am underwatered, I need a slow, thorough drink, not a deluge. Plunging my parched roots into a flood will shock me. Place my entire pot (if it has drainage holes) into a basin of room-temperature water. Let me sit there and absorb moisture from the bottom up for about 30 to 45 minutes. You will know I am done when the top layer of soil feels moist. After my soak, remove me from the water and let me drain completely. I will begin to perk up as water travels from my roots to my stems and leaves. Continue to monitor my soil moisture closely, watering only when the top inch feels dry.
To keep me thriving, learn my language. The best way to check on me is to feel the soil. Insert your finger about an inch deep. If it feels dry, it is time to water. If it feels moist, wait. I prefer a deep, thorough watering that reaches all my roots, allowing the excess to drain freely, followed by a period where the soil can dry out slightly. This cycle of wet and dry provides me with both the hydration and the oxygen my root system needs to support my bright and cheerful blooms.
