My relationship with water is a delicate dance, one that changes with my growth cycle. From my perspective, the period after my bulbs are planted in late summer is a time of eager anticipation. I require a good, deep watering to stimulate my roots to venture into the soil. However, once my roots are established, I am a being of moderation. During my autumn flowering and subsequent spring growth period, I prefer the soil to be kept lightly moist, but never, ever soggy. Saturated soil is my greatest enemy, leading to the rot of my bulb, my very core. When my leaves yellow and die back in late spring, that is my signal to you that I wish for a complete and absolute drought. Please respect my summer dormancy; I need this hot, dry rest to gather my strength for the next season's performance.
As a proud native of South Africa, I have a profound and non-negotiable need for brilliant sunlight. I thrive when I am bathed in full sun for at least six to eight hours each day. In all but the very hottest parts of the US, such as the southern tips of Florida and Texas, I desire as much direct sunlight as you can provide. This abundant solar energy is the fuel that powers my spectacular floral display and strengthens my bulb for the future. Without it, my growth becomes weak and spindly, and I may refuse to flower altogether. A sunny, south-facing wall is an ideal location for me, as it captures the most light and provides residual warmth that I find most comforting.
To produce my striking, spider-like blooms in brilliant shades of pink, red, or white, I require specific nourishment. I am not a gluttonous plant, but a strategic feeder. Please begin feeding me with a balanced, liquid fertilizer (such as a 10-10-10 or 7-7-7 formula) as soon as my flower stalks begin to emerge in the early autumn. Continue this feeding every two to three weeks throughout my flowering and subsequent leaf-growing period. This consistent nutrition is directly translated into stronger blooms and healthier foliage. However, you must cease all feeding once my leaves start to yellow. When I enter my dormant phase, any additional food is not only wasted but can disrupt my natural rest cycle, potentially harming me.
My bulb prefers a well-drained home, a critical factor for my survival. I prosper in a gritty, sandy loam mix that allows water to flow through freely, preventing any water from pooling around my base. In the US, I am winter hardy only in USDA zones 8-10. In these regions, you may plant me directly in the garden where I will naturalize over time. In colder zones, I must be treated as a tender perennial. This means you should either plant me in containers that can be moved to a dry, frost-free location for the winter, or lift my bulbs after the foliage has died back and store them in a cool, dry place until it is time to replant in late summer.
