From my perspective, the single most important aspect of your care is how you manage my water. My roots are not just anchors; they are my drinking straws, my lifeline. They are designed to seek out moisture and nutrients from the potting medium you provide. When you water me correctly, you create a perfect, moist environment that allows my roots to drink freely and breathe easily. However, when you pour too much water, you fill all the air pockets in the soil. This suffocates my roots, drowning them and making them rot. Once root rot sets in, I can no longer absorb water or nutrients, no matter how thirsty I am, and my health will decline rapidly.
You must understand that my life is not a constant, unchanging cycle. I have distinct phases, and my water needs change dramatically with each one. Treating me the same way all year round is a recipe for disaster. When I am actively growing my tall, strong flower stalk and broad, strappy leaves, I am working hard and require consistent moisture to fuel this magnificent display. But after my bloom fades and my leaves are still green, I am gathering energy for next year. As my leaves naturally begin to yellow and wither, I am signaling to you that I am entering my crucial dormancy period. This is when I must be kept completely dry.
How you water me is just as important as how much. I do not like having my "shoulders" wet—that is, the base of my bulb and my neck should stay dry to prevent rot. Please, aim your watering can at the soil around my base, not on me directly. Use room temperature water; cold water is a shock to my system. The goal is to moisten the entire root ball evenly. A thorough watering, allowing a small amount to drain out of the bottom of the pot, is ideal. Then, you must let me almost completely dry out before the next watering. You can test this by sticking your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it is time for a drink. If it is still cool and moist, please wait.
I cannot talk about water without mentioning my home. The pot I live in and the soil I am planted in are your first line of defense against overwatering. I demand excellent drainage above all else. A pot must have drainage holes. There are no exceptions. Without them, water pools at my roots, creating a swamp I cannot escape. The soil mix should be light, airy, and fast-draining. A mix designed for cacti or succulents, or a standard potting mix amended with perlite or coarse sand, is perfect. It holds just enough moisture for my roots to access but allows the excess to flow away quickly, giving my roots the oxygen they crave.
