From my roots to my flowers, I show clear signs when my water balance is wrong. If I am under-watered, my entire system goes into survival mode. My soil pulls away from the edges of my pot, and I become light and easy to lift. My leaves, normally supple and green, will become limp, wilt, and feel dry and papery to the touch. They may start to yellow and drop, beginning with the oldest ones, as I sacrifice them to conserve moisture for my core. My flower buds, my pride and joy, will be the first thing I abort; they will drop off before opening, as blooming requires more water than I can spare.
If I am over-watered, the problem is more sinister and happens below the surface first. My roots, which need oxygen as much as they need water, begin to suffocate in the sodden soil. They rot, turning brown, black, and mushy. Once this root rot sets in, I can no longer absorb water or nutrients effectively, even though the soil is wet. This creates a deceptive wilting where my leaves droop but feel soft and soggy, not dry. They will turn yellow, often with a blotchy pattern, and may develop mold. The soil will smell musty, and the pot will feel heavy with water weight.
If you catch my under-watered state early, reviving me is straightforward. Do not flood me with a huge volume of water all at once. My parched roots are stressed, and a sudden deluge can shock them, causing them to die back. Instead, I need a gentle, thorough rehydration. Please place my pot in a sink or basin filled with 2-3 inches of lukewarm water. Allow me to sit there for 30 to 60 minutes, absorbing moisture from the bottom up through my drainage holes. This method ensures my root ball gets evenly moistened. After my soak, let me drain completely. I do not like wet feet for prolonged periods. You should see me perk up within a few hours. Please move me to a cool, shaded spot for a day or two to recover, away from direct sun that would increase my water loss.
Over-watering is a critical condition that requires immediate and decisive action. The first step is to stop all watering immediately. Gently tip me out of my pot to assess the damage. Carefully examine my roots. Healthy roots are white or light tan and firm. If you see dark, slimy, and foul-smelling roots, those are rotten and must be removed. Using clean, sharp scissors, trim away all the rotted parts. This is like surgery; it removes the diseased tissue so the healthy roots can function. If a significant portion of my root system is gone, you should also trim back some of my top growth (leaves and stems) to reduce the demand on my compromised roots.
Next, repot me into a clean pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix. The new pot must have excellent drainage holes. Do not use a pot that is too large, as excess soil will hold too much water. After repotting, water me very sparingly, just enough to settle the new soil around my remaining roots. Place me in a bright, airy location but out of direct, hot sunlight. Good air circulation will help the soil dry appropriately. Do not fertilize me; I am in no state to handle nutrients and need only to focus on root regeneration.
To keep me thriving, consistency is key. I prefer soil that is consistently moist but never soggy. The best way to check is to stick your finger about an inch into my soil. If it feels dry at that depth, it is time for a deep, thorough watering until water runs freely from the drainage holes. Always empty the saucer underneath my pot after watering so I am not sitting in water. Factors like temperature, humidity, and pot size (clay pots dry out faster than plastic) affect my thirst, so please check on me regularly rather than on a rigid schedule. With attentive care, I will reward you with my beautiful, pendulous blooms all season long.
