Paperwhite Bulb
Paperwhite Bulb
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are a wonderful way to enjoy fresh blooms during the holiday season - they also make lovely gifts! The Ziva variety is a highly fragranced daffodil with large clusters of pure white flowers that exude a gorgeous, spicy scent. Bloom time is about 4-5 weeks, with blooms lasting for about two weeks. Stagger forcing times to enjoy fresh blooms all winter long.
Each bulb is roughly 2.5”-3”, sold individually. Vases sold here.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN A VASE
Place the bulb in a forcing vase, allowing the bottom of the bulb to just slightly touch the water. To avoid rot, only allow the developing roots to remain submerged. Change the water every three days.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN PEBBLES
Gently add pebbles to any watertight container. Place bulbs and add more pebbles, keeping at least 1/3 of the bulb visible. Add water until it is just below the base of the bulbs. Always keep water at that level so that the roots, not the bulb, stay wet.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN SOIL
If your container doesn’t have a drainage hole, add pebbles first to allow drainage. Add potting soil mix and place bulbs, keeping about 1/4 of the bulb exposed. Water well and let drain. Place pots in a cool room (around 55 to 60 degrees) for seven to 10 days to stimulate roots. Then move to a warm spot (around 70 degrees) with bright light to encourage foliage and flowers. As leaves emerge, rotate your pot every few days to keep stalks straight. As buds swell and open, move the pot to a cooler spot out of direct light to extend the life of the flowers. Keep soil slightly moist.
ADDITIONAL CARE
For less leggy paperwhites, replace water with a diluted alcohol solution when the bulb first sprouts. The spiked water will cause the plant to grow more compactly and support its flowers. Mix 1 part of 40-proof hard alcohol with 7 parts water OR 1 part 70% rubbing alcohol with 13 parts water.
Keep the plant at a cooler temperature of around 60 degrees for less lanky growth. Provide maximum sunlight in a cool spot. Stake leggy plants with bamboo or cut branches from your garden. You can also tie the foliage up with a festive ribbon to give it more support.
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are a wonderful way to enjoy fresh blooms during the holiday season - they also make lovely gifts! The Ziva variety is a highly fragranced daffodil with large clusters of pure white flowers that exude a gorgeous, spicy scent. Bloom time is about 4-5 weeks, with blooms lasting for about two weeks. Stagger forcing times to enjoy fresh blooms all winter long.
Each bulb is roughly 2.5”-3”, sold individually. Vases sold here.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN A VASE
Place the bulb in a forcing vase, allowing the bottom of the bulb to just slightly touch the water. To avoid rot, only allow the developing roots to remain submerged. Change the water every three days.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN PEBBLES
Gently add pebbles to any watertight container. Place bulbs and add more pebbles, keeping at least 1/3 of the bulb visible. Add water until it is just below the base of the bulbs. Always keep water at that level so that the roots, not the bulb, stay wet.
GROWING PAPERWHITES IN SOIL
If your container doesn’t have a drainage hole, add pebbles first to allow drainage. Add potting soil mix and place bulbs, keeping about 1/4 of the bulb exposed. Water well and let drain. Place pots in a cool room (around 55 to 60 degrees) for seven to 10 days to stimulate roots. Then move to a warm spot (around 70 degrees) with bright light to encourage foliage and flowers. As leaves emerge, rotate your pot every few days to keep stalks straight. As buds swell and open, move the pot to a cooler spot out of direct light to extend the life of the flowers. Keep soil slightly moist.
ADDITIONAL CARE
For less leggy paperwhites, replace water with a diluted alcohol solution when the bulb first sprouts. The spiked water will cause the plant to grow more compactly and support its flowers. Mix 1 part of 40-proof hard alcohol with 7 parts water OR 1 part 70% rubbing alcohol with 13 parts water.
Keep the plant at a cooler temperature of around 60 degrees for less lanky growth. Provide maximum sunlight in a cool spot. Stake leggy plants with bamboo or cut branches from your garden. You can also tie the foliage up with a festive ribbon to give it more support.