First, you must understand my foundation. My roots are exceptionally sensitive and prone to rot. I demand a home that mimics the sharply draining, mineral-rich, and acidic soils of my native habitat. A standard potting mix is a death sentence for me. You must provide a specialized, very coarse medium. A blend of equal parts acidic potting soil (with no lime or added fertilizers), perlite, and sharp sand or gravel is ideal. The pot itself must have abundant drainage holes. My roots need to breathe almost as much as they need water; soggy conditions will suffocate me, and I will certainly not bloom if I am fighting for survival.
I am a child of the sun. To gather the energy required to produce my magnificent, large blooms, I need as much direct sunlight as you can possibly provide. A south-facing window is the minimum. Ideally, I would bask in a sunroom or a greenhouse where I can receive at least six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered light daily. Without this, my growth will be weak and leggy, and I will simply not have the strength to flower. Furthermore, I despise stale, stagnant air. Good air circulation around my foliage is crucial for preventing fungal diseases and strengthening my stems. A gentle breeze from an open window or a nearby fan on a low setting makes me feel right at home.
My relationship with water is simple: I am drought-tolerant, not drought-loving. I require a deep, thorough watering that completely saturates my coarse potting mix. Then, you must let me dry out almost completely before the next drink. Please test the soil with your finger; the top few inches should be dry. Overwatering is the quickest way to lose me. Crucially, I am highly sensitive to minerals and chemicals found in tap water, particularly lime, which makes the soil alkaline. You must water me with rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water to keep my soil acidic. This is non-negotiable for my health and my ability to bloom.
Unlike most plants you care for, I am adapted to nutrient-poor soils. My roots are easily burned by concentrated fertilizers, especially those high in phosphorus. Feeding me a standard flower-promoting fertilizer will do more harm than good. If you feel you must feed me, do so only sparingly in the early spring as I begin my active growth phase. Use a specific fertilizer for acid-loving plants, diluted to a quarter or half strength, and only apply it once or twice at most. My energy for blooming comes from the sun and my well-established root system, not from a bottle.
My bloom cycle is triggered by environmental cues. In my native land, I experience a distinct shift in seasons. To encourage my flowering, I require a period of cooler temperatures during my winter rest period. If you keep me in a constantly warm room year-round, I may grow but I will likely never bloom. During the winter, please place me in a bright, cool location where temperatures can drop to around 50-55°F (10-13°C) at night. This cooler rest tells me that the seasons are changing and it is time to prepare my energy for a spectacular floral display in the coming growing season.
