Why do we love Paperwhites so? Is it the bright, white color? The tall, easy, fast growing bulb? The incredible fragrance? For what ever the reason, Paperwhites are a staple in our indoor decorating.
Paperwhites started from bulbs now will yield beautiful blooms for the holidays. Great for a kid's project, paperwhites make a beautiful gift grown in a nice ceramic container or a simple glass bowl or jar.
Expect paperwhites to get 12-24" tall. They may need staking or could use the sides of a glass jar or vase to keep the stems from falling. The most popular Paperwhite is 'Ziva'. Prized for its pure white color and incredible fragrance, 'Ziva' is also the most readily available. Look for large, firm bulbs to plant. Most will take 4-8 weeks to bloom.
Growing in Pebbles
Start with small gravel the color of your choice. White marble chips or natural pebble colors work well. Add gravel to a shallow dish, glass jar or other vessel. Place bulbs then add a touch more gravel, keeping about a third of the bulb above the gravel. Add water so it is a little below the bulbs base. We want to make the roots reach for the water. As buds appear, move the pot to a cooler spot and rotate it to keep the flowers from reaching for the light.
Sometimes the paperwhites can get floppy. A few ways to keep the plant more compact include:
- Keeping the plant at about 60 degrees while providing plenty of light.
- Stake the plants or tie a ribbon around the center to keep them together.
- As the bulbs first sprout, begin to water with an alcohol solution. Add 1 part 40 proof alcohol (I use vodka) to 7 parts water for more compact stems.
All photos used in this blog are courtesy of iBulb, a part of Royal Anthos
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