From our perspective, the container is our entire universe. Its size, shape, and material dictate the course of our entire life. We require a pot that provides ample room for our root system to explore and expand, but not so vast that the soil stays perpetually wet, leading to root rot. A pot diameter of 8-12 inches is typically ideal for one of us, offering a balance between growth potential and moisture management. Crucially, this universe must have drainage holes. Without an escape route, water pools around our roots, suffocating us and creating an environment where harmful pathogens thrive. Terracotta pots are excellent as they are porous, allowing air and moisture to pass through their walls, helping the soil "breathe." Plastic pots retain moisture longer, which can be beneficial in hot climates but requires more careful watering.
We cannot thrive in heavy, dense garden soil. It compacts in containers, choking our roots and preventing essential oxygen from reaching them. We demand a high-quality, lightweight potting mix specifically formulated for containers. This mix is our home, our bed, and our kitchen. It should be well-draining yet possess enough organic matter to retain some moisture and nutrients. A mix with ingredients like peat, coir, perlite, and compost is perfect. It provides the loose, airy structure we need for healthy root growth and ensures that when you nourish us with water and fertilizer, we can access it without our feet sitting in mud.
Our relationship with water is simple: we desire consistency. The goal is evenly moist soil, not a cycle of desert-like drought followed by a catastrophic flood. Please water us deeply when the top inch of our soil feels dry to the touch, allowing the life-giving water to flow through the entire root zone and exit freely from the drainage holes. Then, allow us to drink at our own pace before the next watering. As for food, the limited soil volume in a pot means nutrients are quickly depleted. We are not greedy, but we are heavy bloomers and require regular feeding to support this effort. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every two to four weeks during our growing season, or a slow-release fertilizer mixed into our soil at planting, provides the essential nutrients we need to produce the vibrant flowers you admire so much.
We are solar-powered organisms. To photosynthesize and create the energy for growth and flowering, we require abundant sunlight. Place our container in a location where we can bask in at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun typically leads to more prolific blooms. Furthermore, we appreciate good air circulation. Crowding our container too closely with other plants creates stagnant, humid air, which is a breeding ground for fungal diseases like powdery mildew and botrytis. Giving us some space allows air to move freely through our leaves, keeping them dry and healthy, and helping to ward off pests that prefer still, sheltered conditions.
We feel the changing seasons keenly. As the growing season progresses, we may become "pot-bound" if our roots have filled the container. If you notice roots circling the inside of the pot or growing from the drainage holes, it is a plea for a slightly larger home. When autumn brings cooler temperatures, we enter a period of dormancy. If you wish to keep us alive through winter, we need to be brought indoors before the first frost. Place us in a cool, bright location and significantly reduce watering, allowing us to rest. This period of cool, dry rest is vital for us to gather strength for a vibrant return in the spring.
