From my perspective, sunlight is my primary source of energy. I am a sun-worshipper by nature, evolved for hot, bright conditions. When you plant me in a spot that receives less than six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight, my entire system is compromised. My photosynthetic engines cannot produce enough sugars to support the immense energy cost of producing my vibrant, papery flowers. I must prioritize survival over reproduction, so I direct all my energy into maintaining my succulent leaves and stems. Without abundant, intense sunlight, blooming is simply not an option for me. It is the most fundamental need I have.
My thick, fleshy leaves are my water reservoirs, a brilliant adaptation for surviving in dry, arid environments. When you water me too frequently, you are disrupting my natural cycle. Soggy, waterlogged soil suffocates my roots, preventing them from absorbing essential oxygen. This leads to root rot, a condition where my vital underground parts decay and die. A sick, struggling root system cannot effectively uptake the nutrients and water it needs to support the demanding process of flowering. My entire being is focused on fighting off stress and disease, leaving no resources for creating blooms. I thrive on neglect; please let my soil dry out completely between drinks.
Your intentions with fertilizer are good, but the execution can be problematic. If you feed me a formula too high in nitrogen, you are sending me a very specific signal: "Grow leaves, not flowers!" Nitrogen promotes vigorous green growth. I will respond by producing an abundance of beautiful, lush foliage at the expense of any flower buds. Conversely, if I am planted in extremely poor, depleted soil with no nutrients at all, I may simply not have the strength to bloom. I prefer a balanced approach. A fertilizer higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the package) can encourage my blooming, but often, I do not need much feeding at all if planted in decent soil.
I am a heat-loving plant. My blooming mechanism is triggered by warmth and sun. If the weather is persistently cool, cloudy, or damp, I will remain dormant. I flower most prolifically during the hottest part of the summer. A prolonged cold snap or a unusually cool summer can significantly delay or reduce my flowering. I patiently wait for the consistent heat that tells me it is the ideal time to put on a show. Furthermore, while I love heat, an extreme heatwave coupled with drought stress can also cause me to conserve energy and temporarily halt blooming until conditions improve.
This is a minor point, but worth noting. I am a prolific bloomer, and each individual flower is short-lived. While deadheading (removing old, faded flowers) can sometimes encourage more blooms in other plants, I am often so focused on producing new ones that it happens automatically. However, if you are excessively fussing around my stems, you might accidentally be snipping off new flower buds before they even have a chance to develop and open. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply step back and let me do what I am naturally programmed to do.
