Paperwhite narcissus - Care and Feeding
Heavily scented with white trumpeted flowers, the Paperwhite Narcissus is a joy. And, it's so easy to grow, too!
A native of Mediterannean Europe and Asia Minor, it is now grown around the world. Paperwhites are small members of the Narcissus family (Daffodils and Jonquils are larger family members). What Paperwhites lack in size, they make up for in fragrance and charm. For little flowers, they are big in the popularity department. These winter and spring blooming flowers are equally popular grown as an indoor houseplant. Growing them indoors adds bright cheery blooms and a sweet scent to an otherwise dreary winter 's day.
Paperwhite narcissus are one of the easiest bulbs to force for cut flowers or ornamental displays in the home from December to March. They can be forced without a chilling period. The paperwhites you get from me are already potted, and require only an occasional drink of water to bloom in time for the holidays, but if you want to find your own loose bulbs and give it a shot, here is all you need to know.
To force paperwhites, fill a bulb pan with about one to two inches of potting soil, then position the bulbs in the soil so they are nearly touching each other with pointed end up. Add enough potting soil so that only the top half of the bulbs remain exposed, then water well.
Paperwhites can also be forced in shallow decorative containers with pebbles and water, or in water alone. Place the bulb pans or decorative containers in a bright, cool room until the shoots are one to two inches tall. Then move the pots to a warmer location. Bulbs started in a warm room have a tendency to become leggy and the leaves flop over. No fertilizer is needed to force paperwhites.
Paperwhites bloom four to eight weeks after potting. For a continuous show of color, start new pots of bulbs every couple of weeks throughout fall and winter.
Commercially, several types are available. Some cultivars (varieties) have pure white flowers while others have white perianths with light yellow cups. Paperwhites originate in the Mediterranean and are tender bulbs. Thus, they can be grown outside only in Zones 8 to 11. Unless one lives in one of these zones, forced bulbs should be composted. Believe me - after 20 years of trying to get them to bloom again, I have given up.
Planting -- Paperwhites can be forced using 3- to 4-inch deep decorative containers that do not have drainage holes. To force the bulbs using this system:
1. Place 1 to 2 inches of washed gravel or stones in the bottom of the container.
2. Carefully, place the bulbs on the gravel or stones.
3. Subsequently, place enough gravel or stones over or around the bulbs to hold them in place.
Watering -- Add just enough water to bring it to base of the bulbs and subsequently, maintain it at this level. Do not immerse the bulbs in water, only the basal (root) plate should be in water.
Planting -- Use a well-drained, pH 6 to 7, sterilized planting medium. Any width pot can be used; it depends on the number of bulbs to be forced. However, use a pot that is 3 to 4 inches deep, and plant the bulbs with the noses even or slightly below the rim of the pot.
Watering -- After planting, water the medium thoroughly. Then, keep it moist, but not soggy wet!
Temperature - Initially, use a 60 to 65 degree area in the home. When in flower, use the coolest area of the home.
Light -- Paperwhites will flower under any light conditions. However, for best results, initially place them in a window area with a southern exposure. When the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sun-light and place plants in coolest area of the home. This helps to prolong the flowering of the plants.
Fertilization -- None is required for forcing.
Diseases and insects -- If healthy bulbs are purchased, no pests are generally encountered.
For more info, go to: http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/12-03-00.htm
Papa Geno
A native of Mediterannean Europe and Asia Minor, it is now grown around the world. Paperwhites are small members of the Narcissus family (Daffodils and Jonquils are larger family members). What Paperwhites lack in size, they make up for in fragrance and charm. For little flowers, they are big in the popularity department. These winter and spring blooming flowers are equally popular grown as an indoor houseplant. Growing them indoors adds bright cheery blooms and a sweet scent to an otherwise dreary winter 's day.
Paperwhite narcissus are one of the easiest bulbs to force for cut flowers or ornamental displays in the home from December to March. They can be forced without a chilling period. The paperwhites you get from me are already potted, and require only an occasional drink of water to bloom in time for the holidays, but if you want to find your own loose bulbs and give it a shot, here is all you need to know.
To force paperwhites, fill a bulb pan with about one to two inches of potting soil, then position the bulbs in the soil so they are nearly touching each other with pointed end up. Add enough potting soil so that only the top half of the bulbs remain exposed, then water well.
Paperwhites can also be forced in shallow decorative containers with pebbles and water, or in water alone. Place the bulb pans or decorative containers in a bright, cool room until the shoots are one to two inches tall. Then move the pots to a warmer location. Bulbs started in a warm room have a tendency to become leggy and the leaves flop over. No fertilizer is needed to force paperwhites.
Paperwhites bloom four to eight weeks after potting. For a continuous show of color, start new pots of bulbs every couple of weeks throughout fall and winter.
Commercially, several types are available. Some cultivars (varieties) have pure white flowers while others have white perianths with light yellow cups. Paperwhites originate in the Mediterranean and are tender bulbs. Thus, they can be grown outside only in Zones 8 to 11. Unless one lives in one of these zones, forced bulbs should be composted. Believe me - after 20 years of trying to get them to bloom again, I have given up.
Planting and Watering Instructions for Containers without Drainage Holes
Planting -- Paperwhites can be forced using 3- to 4-inch deep decorative containers that do not have drainage holes. To force the bulbs using this system:
1. Place 1 to 2 inches of washed gravel or stones in the bottom of the container.
2. Carefully, place the bulbs on the gravel or stones.
3. Subsequently, place enough gravel or stones over or around the bulbs to hold them in place.
Watering -- Add just enough water to bring it to base of the bulbs and subsequently, maintain it at this level. Do not immerse the bulbs in water, only the basal (root) plate should be in water.
Planting and Watering Instructions for Containers with Drainage Holes
Planting -- Use a well-drained, pH 6 to 7, sterilized planting medium. Any width pot can be used; it depends on the number of bulbs to be forced. However, use a pot that is 3 to 4 inches deep, and plant the bulbs with the noses even or slightly below the rim of the pot.
Watering -- After planting, water the medium thoroughly. Then, keep it moist, but not soggy wet!
General Home Forcing Instructions
Temperature - Initially, use a 60 to 65 degree area in the home. When in flower, use the coolest area of the home.
Light -- Paperwhites will flower under any light conditions. However, for best results, initially place them in a window area with a southern exposure. When the plants begin to flower, remove them from direct sun-light and place plants in coolest area of the home. This helps to prolong the flowering of the plants.
Fertilization -- None is required for forcing.
Diseases and insects -- If healthy bulbs are purchased, no pests are generally encountered.
For more info, go to: http://gardening.wsu.edu/column/12-03-00.htm
Papa Geno
Comments
gloria said...
I wondered if after Paperwhites
bloom, can the bulbs be saved indoors
and planted again in the winter
indoors.In other words will they
bloom again.
2/11/2007
Norris Hopkinson said...
I have been forcing bulbs in general and Paperwhites in particular for many years. Is it possible to force Paperwhites and then plant them in the garden(outside) as I do with other bulbs and have them bloom year after year? I live in zone 5-6. I haven't had any luck with Paperwhites....Is it possible?
2/19/2007
Glennis Vetter said...
Now that my paperwhites are finished and the greenery is dieing down how do I care for them so I can use them again next year?
3/12/2007
papa+geno said...
Paperwhite narcissus cannot be grown a 2nd year. At least, I have not succeeded in 20 years of trying.
3/13/2007
Deborah said...
I hae a pot of jonqils that is through blooming. How do I save them for next year? Do I water them or keep them dry until they can be planted in the fall?
5/3/2007
Sheri said...
Now that they're pretty and floral, they STINK to high heaven. Can I enjoy these pretty blooms by sticking the pot outside in VA in November?
11/19/2007
antoinette Botsford said...
Let the paperwhites die out on their own., During this time do not water. Just put them in your garage for a while. WHen th eleaves and flowers are quite dry, trim them off, and plant on a sunny slope or well-drained sunhy part of garden with a pinch of bone meal. Deer disdain them. As long as you do not have a lengthy cold winter, they should come back.
11/25/2007
LORRAINE said...
I paperwhites do not rebloom, where do you get the bulbs for the next season? D you start from seed or does the plant bloom out of doors and you seperate them like tulips? Where do you get the bulbs? Thanks!
2/13/2008
Vivan Hagre said...
how do i care for my bulbs now that they are finished blooming? I hate to just throw them out.
3/15/2008
sandrine conway said...
my paperwhites stop blooming and dried out soI've cut the dry off and left the but in water but it will not regrow should I throw them away or put them in a dry place until next year or plant them.
4/11/2008
Home Garden said...
Thanks for this great info. My mom absolutely loves these flowers, and I want to grow a bunch of them and surprise her for her next birthday.
9/2/2008
memory said...
i have paperwhites that bloomed inside and was wondering what to do with them. most people say they should be discarded. i noticed there are some blooming in my yard in a full sun area zone 7 that previous owner planted, so i am wondering if i can put mine outside, but when?
1/10/2009