To truly thrive, I need a place that feels like my native Mediterranean home. Please plant me in a location that receives full, glorious sun. I need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to fuel my energy-intensive process of creating those intricate, papery blooms you love so much. The soil is equally important; I demand excellent drainage. Soggy, waterlogged feet are a death sentence for my corms, leading to a miserable rot. Amend heavy clay soil with generous amounts of compost, coco coir, or well-rotted manure to create a light, fluffy, and well-draining bed for me. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is my preference.
I begin my life in your garden as a dry, hard corm that looks like a tiny octopus. To break my dormancy, I need a good soak. Please place me in room temperature water for 3-4 hours before planting. I will plump up, signaling I am ready to grow. Do not over-soak me, as I will drown. Plant me with my "tentacles" pointing down, about 2 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart. This gives my roots space to stretch and my stems room to emerge. In colder zones (approximately USDA 4-6), plant me in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. In warmer zones (7 and above), you can plant me in the fall for an early spring spectacle.
My water needs are specific. Once planted, I need consistent moisture to establish my roots and push through the soil. However, I am not a thirsty plant once established. Water me deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, but always allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering is your greatest enemy and mine. As for food, I am a heavy feeder to support all my flowering. Feed me with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every two weeks once my foliage is a few inches tall, and continue until my flowers begin to fade.
With the right care, I will reward you with a breathtaking display of blooms that can last for weeks. As I flower, deadhead my spent blossoms by cutting the stem back to its base. This tells me to stop putting energy into seed production and to focus it on creating more beautiful flowers instead. Enjoy me as a cut flower! Cut my stems when the buds are colored and squishy like a marshmallow but not yet open. I will unfurl perfectly in a vase of water.
When the summer heat becomes intense, my foliage will begin to yellow and die back. This is my natural cycle. I am entering dormancy to escape the heat. Please resist the urge to cut my foliage back while it is still green, as I am gathering energy for next year’s show. Once the leaves are completely yellow and dry, you can remove them. In warmer, drier zones, you may leave my corms in the ground to sleep. In colder, wetter zones, it is safer to dig my corms up after the foliage dies back. Let them dry in a cool, airy place for a few days, then store them in a mesh bag with peat moss or vermiculite in a cool, dry, dark place until it is time to plant again next season.
