Paperwhite Narcissus

This was my first year to plant Paperwhites , so after I decorated my kitchen counter...

I started to get my supplies together

I gathered my Ironstone Tureens

Removed the lids 

Got my potting soil and 10 bulbs, I got my bulbs from a local shop Thyme in the Garden

I planted the paperwhite bulbs in soil and in one bowl covered with my river glass from the French Board River.  I added water.  Now I learned of a hint to get the paperwhites compact so they won't flop over....

Flowerbulb Research Program at Cornell University

has found a simple and effective way to reduce stem and leaf growth of paperwhites.  The

“secret” is using dilute solutions of alcohol.  Properly used, the result is paperwhites that

are 1/3 to ½ shorter, with equal sized flowers that last as long as normal.  

What to do

and the shoot is green and growing about 1-2” above the top of the bulb.  At this point,

pour off the water and replace it with a solution of 4 to 6% alcohol, made from just about

any “hard” liquor.  You can do the calculations to figure the dilution, but, as an example,

to get a 5% solution from a 40% distilled spirit (e.g., gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila),

you add 1 part of the booze to 7 parts of water.  This is an 8-fold dilution yielding 5%

alcohol. 

Then, simply use this solution, instead of water, for further irrigation (watering) of your

bulbs.  It’s as simple as that.  The result will be a plant that is 1/3 shorter. 

So we will see in about 3 weeks if this works!! Di
Joining some friends