Bulbs
' Ziva ' paperwhite . exposure by : Red - Diamond / Shutterstock
If you long for spring daffodils during the bleak sidereal day of wintertime , paperwhites are a tight relative that you may push indoors at almost any clock time of yr to make it feel like leap even on a snow-covered day . Like amaryllisbulbs , paperwhites require no shivery period before force . Simply put them in soil or a bowl fill with water , and within a few weeks you will be enjoying their dainty , Narcissus pseudonarcissus - like blooms . If you subsist in a warm southern climate , you’re able to also establish paperwhites outdoors in the garden , where they will flower in early outflow .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Forcing Indoors|Growing Outdoors|Care|Bulb Buying Tips
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Narcissus papyraceus
Plant type & origin:
Perennial bulb , aboriginal to the Mediterranean .
Zones:
8 to 11
Bloom time:
Typically 4 to 8 weeks after plant indoors . February to March when planted out of doors .
Height:
12 to 18 inches
Flower colors:
normally stark white flowers , but you ’ll also see cultivar with icteric , orange , and bi - colored blooms .
Bloom size:
2 to 3 inches across
Special features:
Fragrant , fast growing , disease and pest immune
Precautions:
All part of the industrial plant can be toxic if have , specially the bulb . If grow indoors , keep away from tyke and PET .
FORCING PAPERWHITES INDOORS
photograph by : EQRoy / Shutterstock
you’re able to plant your paperwhites in potting dirt or in shallow containers of pee with some pebble or cosmetic pit added to keep them in shoes . mark that some paperwhite salmagundi will force well in soil than in water alone , so be certain to record the guideline on the electric-light bulb package before planting .
Growing paperwhites in soil:
regain a shallow stack ( about 4 to 5 inches deep ) with muddle in the bottom for drain . Fill until about three - quarters full with an indoor potting mix and embed the bulbs with the pointed destruction facing up , let the summit to glint above the soil . Water well , allowing the water to enfeeble through the holes .
Growing paperwhites in water and pebbles:
For this method , practice a container without drain mess so it can hold weewee . Fill it about halfway with your choice of pebble , marbles , decorative stones , or glass beads and set the bulb on top . Pack more pebbles around the bulbs to defy them in place , leave the pointed tips exposed , and then sum up water to a horizontal surface no in high spirits than the theme of the bulbs . Add more water as needed to maintain this degree as the flora take root and turn .
Container options:
There ’s no need to buy a extra container for growing paperwhites because a simple decorative saucer or pipe bowl will work fine and provide enough get room for the roots . you may also maturate paperwhites in a marvellous looking glass vase , which will aid keep your plants vertical as they develop and leave you to determine the light bulb take base .
Just be certain to choose a container declamatory enough to hold the phone number of bulbs you plan to plant . For a fuller display , flora multiple bulbs in one container , space them no more than an inch aside .
GROWING PAPERWHITES OUTDOORS
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In warm climates ( zone 8 to 11 ) , paperwhites are a great alternative todaffodils , jonquils , and other members of theNarcissusgenus that need a period of cold weather condition in society to blossom outdoors .
constitute the bulbs anytime in the drop or early wintertime for blooms the following outpouring . pick out a gay spot with well - drained filth , and plant the bulbs in hole about 6 inches cryptical , space them several inches asunder . For maximum impact , plant in chemical group of 10 or more .
Get more tips forplanting light bulb in the garden .
PAPERWHITE CARE
Watering:
If your paperwhites are implant in a container with stones or pebble , keep the water level just under the lightbulb theme . If they are planted in soil , water only when the soil is dry to the touch . Avoid overwatering , which can have the bulbs to decompose and prevent blooming .
Light/temperature:
To extend the heyday time of your paperwhites , keep them in a cool location ( about 65 degrees F ) and away from direct sun . Too much light will cause the flowers to fade quicker and too small may cause the stems to get tall-growing . A daub with promising , collateral light is best .
Provide support:
Indoors , you may involve to prop up your paperwhites with pocket-size stakes or gird them with medallion , twine , or asupport ringto foreclose the slender stems from collapsing under the weightiness of the prime .
Stunting paperwhite growth:
Another solvent to keep them from flopping is to stunt the growth of your industrial plant so they do n’t get tall and lanky by “ pickle ” them in gin or another distilled look , harmonise to inquiry from Cornell University . Spiking the growing body of water with alcohol will reduce the height of the base by as much as 50 % without affecting the size of the flowers . study how its done .
After they bloom:
Paperwhite blooms usually last about two to three weeks after they open . Once all the prime have wither , the foliation will still be worthy of display for a few more weeks . Although it ’s potential to get your bulbs to blossom again indoors , it ’s usually not deserving the fuss and most people find it easier to cast aside or compost the bulbs and buy Modern one .
outside in the garden , treat paperwhites as you would daffodils . trim back off the spent flowers but leave alone the foliage in property until it get down to turn yellow and you’re able to draw it out by hand .
PAPERWHITE BULB BUYING TIPS
Photo by : Arina P Habich / Shutterstock
A few thing to keep in creative thinker when shopping for paperwhites :
