From our perspective, the roots are the primary communicators of water distress. When you provide too much water, the soil medium remains perpetually saturated. This suffocates us. Our roots require oxygen to respire and function; constant waterlogging pushes out the air, causing the roots to rot. You will observe this if you inspect us: healthy roots are firm and white or greenish, but overwatered roots become mushy, brown, or black, and they may have a foul odor. Conversely, when you underwater, our roots are desperate for moisture. They will become dry, brittle, and shriveled. They may turn a pale tan or gray color and will easily snap. Without a healthy root system, we cannot absorb the water and nutrients we need to survive, even if you eventually correct the watering schedule.
The state of our stems—which are modified, leaf-like structures called cladodes—directly reflects our internal water pressure, or turgor. Under ideal conditions, our stems are plump, firm, and vividly green. They are full of water and ready to photosynthesize efficiently. Underwatering causes a catastrophic loss of this turgor pressure. Our stems will appear visibly wrinkled, deflated, and limp. They may feel thin and leathery to the touch as we use up our internal water reserves for basic metabolic functions. In severe cases, the stems will shrivel and desiccate entirely. Overwatering presents a different but equally dangerous problem. Initially, the stems may appear swollen and feel unusually soft or squishy. As the root rot progresses and prevents water uptake, the stems will also begin to wilt and soften, but often with a yellow or translucent appearance, signaling cellular breakdown and decay rather than simple dehydration.
Our color is a clear indicator of our physiological state. The stress of overwatering manifests as a loss of our vibrant green hue. You will see a general yellowing of the stems, often starting at the base near the soil where the rot begins. This chlorosis occurs because the rotting roots cannot deliver nutrients. In advanced stages, the soft, yellowed areas can develop black or brown spots, which are signs of fungal or bacterial infections taking advantage of our weakened tissues. Underwatering, on the other hand, causes a change in color due to stress and the concentration of pigments. Our stems may turn a dull, pale green and then progress to a reddish or purplish tint in some varieties, or simply to a dull, crispy brown as we essentially become scorched from the inside out.
Our ultimate goal is to grow and reproduce, which requires significant energy reserves. Both overwatering and underwatering force us to divert all energy away from growth and flowering and into sheer survival. You will notice a complete halt in the production of new stem segments. Any existing new growth may abort, appearing stunted or withering before it matures. Most disappointingly for you, we will be utterly incapable of flowering. The process of creating blooms is a massive energetic investment that we simply cannot make when we are either drowning and rotting or severely dehydrated and starving. A lack of flowers, especially during our typical blooming season, is a strong sign that our fundamental needs are not being met.
