Why put vodka in paperwhites?
One (1) part vodka to seven (7) parts water. The alcohol gently stunts the stems, keeping them from growing too tall and floppy without harming the blooms. Paperwhite bulbs grown in water with a 5% concentration of alcohol bloom beautifully on stems ⅓ shorter than paperwhites grown in unspiked water. Most clear liquors are about 40% alcohol (80 proof), so that works out to 1 part liquor to 7 parts water. This works best for paperwhites growing on pebbles, not soil.Paperwhite Narcissus will grow happily and bloom with nothing more than water and stones or pebbles. Growing Paperwhites in water: To plant your bulbs in any our our soilless kits, begin by carefully placing a layer of stones or pebbles to a depth of about 2 in a small vase or about 4 in a larger vase.The paperwhite narcissus is a popular bulb for indoor forcing in the winter months. Unlike most other daffodils, paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) do not require a cold period. They are simply planted in pots with soil, or even more commonly, in dishes or bowls with gravel, marbles or other decorative material.For several reasons, including the fact that they do not require a chill period to induce blooms, paperwhites can be easily grown easily indoors and forced to bloom. This process is called ‘forcing’ (imagine that! With bright white blooms and a nice fragrance, they make great gifts.
Do paperwhites smell good?
Enter the paperwhite (Narcissus papyraceus), a Texas tough member of the amaryllis family known for its clusters of pure white blossoms. But here’s the twist that has puzzled garden enthusiasts for generations—the enchanting blooms of this Mediterranean native emit a scent often likened to (at least for some) feces. As a rule, paperwhites with yellow flowers, such as ‘Grand Soleil D’Or’ and ‘Wintersun’ have a lighter and sweeter fragrance. If you want to give them a try, be aware that these more unusual varieties can be difficult to find, and the bulbs tend to produce smaller flower clusters.Paperwhite flowers have a very strong, heady scent that some people adore as intensely floral and sweet (like jasmine/orange blossom), but many find overwhelming, comparing it to cat urine, dirty socks, or feces due to compounds like indole.
How to care for paperwhites indoors?
Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist. Another popular way to grow paperwhites is in shallow bowls filled with gravel or decorative stones, although any container that can hold water can be used. To do this, partially fill the container with gravel/stones (at least 1-2 inches deep), then place the bulbs on top. Since forcing bulbs to bloom takes a lot of energy, a rebloom may be a year or two in the future, if at all. The bulbs need to rebuild their energy stores. While not guaranteed, your paperwhites may go on to grow and flower with the proper post-bloom care.Take them out of the soil, put them in a paper bag, and keep them in a cool, dry location until the fall. Then you can re-pot your Paperwhite bulbs all over! This process usually only works for three or four seasons before the bulbs become unviable.Bulbs- when grown in a relatively cool room (60° to 65°F), your flower display can last for up to a month. In warmer rooms, you may find that your bulbs bloom more quickly. Be sure to water your paperwhites every few days, but avoid leaving them waterlogged since the bulbs will rot.Short answer: no — paperwhites cannot realistically be regrown. They are forced extremely hard to bloom indoors, which completely uses up the bulb’s stored energy. Unlike hardy spring bulbs, paperwhites do not recover well after forcing, even if you keep the leaves growing in a sunny window and water them carefully.In warmer rooms, you may find that your bulbs bloom more quickly. Be sure to water your paperwhites every few days, but avoid leaving them waterlogged since the bulbs will rot. You can expect your paperwhites to bloom 4-6 weeks after planting depending on the temperature of your growing space.
What do you do with paperwhites after they bloom?
Once the blooms are spent, you can cut the stalks down at the base of the plant and leave the foliage. Maintain your paperwhite greens like you would a houseplant until the foliage dies back, usually around mid-July. Paperwhite bulbs can be forced to bloom again, but their performance may vary; to increase the chances of reblooming, allow the foliage to die back naturally and store the bulbs in a cool, dry place or plant them outside.
Do paperwhites come back every year?
Reflowering: Once paperwhites are done, it’s hard to get them to flower again. You also won’t see blooms every year, and most bulbs only last three or four years at most. If you want to give reflowering a try, once the blooms are spent, cut back the flower stalks and leave the foliage. Paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis are the easiest bulbs to force and don’t require a long time for rooting. You can have blooms of paperwhites in 3-5 weeks, while amaryllis can bloom in 6-8 weeks.