Paperwhites are a winter - anthesis hoarded wealth . Their pure - bloodless blooms and heady fragrance can brighten even the darkest , cold daylight . But in edict to harvest the benefit of paperwhite flowers , you first have to know how to implant them .
Paperwhites(Narcissus tazetta ) , a type of Narcissus pseudonarcissus , are native to the Mediterranean , but unlike other narcissus specie , they are n’t moth-eaten - stalwart . Gardeners in warm climes can rise paperwhites outside in the garden , but here in the North , we have to do all our paperwhite growing indoors .
Paperwhites do n’t need a shudder period to initiate bloom production like other types of daffodils do . This think of they ’re easy to “ force ” into flower simply by exposing the sleeping bulbs to water . inactive electric light can be buy from local glasshouse and efflorescence shops , as well as from online electric light purveyors , such asBrent and Becky ’s BulbsandWhite Flower Farm .
Your maraud into paperwhite maturation can start up one of three ways .
1. The Vase Method
The bare way to grow this bulb is in a vase of piddle . Perch a unmarried paperwhite electric-light bulb at the top of a slender or hourglass - shaped vase so only the incandescent lamp ’s base is in impinging with the water . There ’s a specialforcing vaseyou can buy ( also called a hyacinth vase ) that ’s designed specifically to hold a single blub . As long as you verify the vase is always full of water system , the bulb will quickly form solution , follow by flower stalk and foliage .
large vases can house several bulbs . This is best done by pouring an inch of water into a big , clear , cylindrical or square vase , and then tuck several bulbs down into the bottom of the vase so their bases baby-sit in the water . The flower stalks and foliage will grow inside the vase and may or may not sprout out the top , depending on the tallness of the vase . If you choose a taller vase , it will help abide the bloom as they grow , eliminating the pauperism to stake them or provide another agency of reinforcement .
2. The Gravel Method
Another pop path to grow paperwhites is in gravel or spyglass pebbles . To do this , you ’ll involve a shallow bowl , without a drainage hole , and enough natural crushed rock , aquarium crushed rock or glass pebbles to almost fill the container . Once the crushed rock is in the roll , gently nest the bottom half of the bulbs down into it . Then fill the container with water until it reaches the base of the bulbs . You ’ll have to top off the H2O every day or two to ensure the bulbs always have access to it . Though the crushed rock will help oneself sustain the growing electric light , the unfolding stems will finally get top - ponderous and need to be supported . I like to wrap all the stems together loosely with a piece of colored ribbon or instinctive raffia . This forbid them from founder over and aid keep them sizeable and upright .
3. The Potting Soil Method
The third method acting involves planting the incandescent lamp in a kitty or tray filled withpotting soil . you may plant one lightbulb in a small pot or several bulbs in a larger container . Both moldable baby’s room bay window and ornamental glaze ceramic container work just fine . Use high - quality potting mix and tuck the medulla into the soil so only a quarter of the medulla oblongata remains above the dirt open .
Potted paperwhites will need to be watered on a regular basis , allowing the soil to fully drain later on . The soil must be slightly dampish at all times , but do not allow weewee to sit in a saucer beneath the industrial plant or a nasty showcase of fungus gnats and/or bulb rot could leave from the water - logged potting soil . For container - grown paperwhites , habituate natural twigs or bamboo sticks to game the flower stalks before they begin to founder .
No matter which of these three farm method acting you pick out , your paperwhite bulbs will be in full flower just a hebdomad or two after planting . They ’re a unfeigned winter delight .
This article about how to impel paperwhites to bloom was written for Hobby Farms magazine . Click here to support .
