First, you must understand what is stressing me. I am a sun-child, a native of warm, sunny South America. My distress is almost always environmental. Check my location. Am I getting at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day? Without it, I become weak, my growth is leggy, and I cannot produce my vibrant bracts. Next, feel my soil. Is it soggy and cold? My roots despise "wet feet." Constant moisture suffocates them, leading to root rot, which is a primary cause of my decline. Conversely, is the bone-dry? While I am drought-tolerant, extreme neglect dehydrates me, causing my leaves to wilt and drop as a survival mechanism.
Water is life, but the wrong amount is a death sentence. If my soil is waterlogged, you must stop watering immediately. If I am in a container, ensure my pot has adequate drainage holes. In severe cases, you may need to gently remove me from the pot to inspect my roots. Healthy roots are firm and white or tan. Rotted roots are mushy, black, or brown, and smell foul. Carefully trim these away with sterile tools and repot me in fresh, well-draining potting mix. If I am dehydrated, give me a deep, thorough watering. Water slowly until it runs freely from the drainage holes, ensuring the entire root ball is moistened. Then, return to a consistent watering routine only when the top few inches of soil are dry.
I am a heavy feeder, especially during my growing season. A lack of essential nutrients, particularly phosphorus, can prevent me from flowering and cause chlorosis (yellowing leaves). However, do not fertilize me while I am severely stressed or during dormancy in cooler months, as it can burn my fragile roots and add to my shock. Once you see signs of recovery, such as new leaf growth, begin feeding me with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer or one high in phosphate (the middle number on the fertilizer package) to encourage blooming. Apply it to moist soil to prevent root burn.
I am extremely sensitive to cold. Temperatures below 40°F (4°C) damage my tissues and cause leaf drop. If you live in a cooler climate and I am outdoors, I must be brought inside before the first frost. Conversely, a sudden drastic change in temperature, like moving me from a shaded nursery to full blazing sun, can also shock me. Acclimate me gradually. Furthermore, if I am pot-bound, my roots may be so crowded that they cannot take up water or nutrients effectively. If my roots are circling tightly, it is time to repot me into a container only one or two sizes larger with fresh soil.
Once the immediate stressors are corrected and I show slight improvement, you can help me redirect my energy. Prune away any dead, diseased, or severely damaged branches. This not only improves my appearance but also allows me to focus my resources on producing new, healthy growth. Make clean cuts just above a leaf node or a junction with another branch. Avoid heavy pruning while I am still very weak; this is a gentle shaping to aid my recovery.
