From my perspective, your watering routine is the most critical factor for my survival. My roots are fine and fibrous, and they exist in a very delicate balance. If you allow my soil to become completely dry, I will wilt dramatically as my cells lose their water pressure, called turgor. Prolonged drought causes my roots to die back, and I cannot recover. Conversely, if you are too generous and my pot sits in a soggy, waterlogged soil, you are suffocating me. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water. Constant sogginess rots my roots, turning them brown and mushy. Once my root system is compromised, I cannot uptake water or nutrients, and I will wilt and die from the bottom up, even if the soil feels wet.
I am a heavy bloomer, and producing all of my vibrant, continuous flowers requires a tremendous amount of energy. The limited amount of soil in my container has a very small reserve of nutrients. If you are not feeding me regularly, I will quickly deplete these reserves. You will see my older leaves turning pale green or yellow, my growth will become stunted, and my flowering will significantly reduce as I simply do not have the strength to sustain it. I am starving and need a consistent supply of food to support the spectacular show you expect from me.
My succulent new growth and tender blooms are a prime target for sap-sucking pests. Aphids, thrips, and most notably, spider mites, see me as a banquet. They pierce my tissues and drain my vital fluids. This not only weakens me but can also introduce viruses. You might notice my leaves developing a stippled, yellow look, fine webbing (from spider mites), or a general lack of vigor. If left unchecked, a severe infestation can quickly overwhelm and kill me. Please check the undersides of my leaves regularly; that is where these tiny attackers hide.
While I adore the sun and need at least 6-8 hours of direct light to bloom properly, extreme, scorching afternoon heat can cause me immense stress. In these conditions, I may go into survival mode, dropping buds and flowers to conserve water and energy. My leaves might scorch or curl. Alternatively, if I am placed in too much shade, I will become leggy as I stretch weakly towards the light, produce very few flowers, and become more susceptible to diseases like root rot due to damp conditions that do not dry quickly enough.
Check my soil daily. Water me deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring excess water flows freely out of the drainage holes. Never let me sit in a saucer of water. Please feed me every week or two with a water-soluble fertilizer high in phosphorus to promote blooming. Examine my leaves and stems closely for pests. A strong spray of water can dislodge many, or you can use an insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Finally, ensure I am in a location with plenty of morning sun but perhaps some protection from the most intense afternoon heat.
