Where do paperwhite bulbs come from?
Narcissus papyraceus (from papyrus and aceus; meaning paper-like), one of a few species known as paperwhite, is a perennial bulbous plant native to the Mediterranean region, from Greece to Portugal plus Morocco and Algeria. The species is considered naturalized in the Azores, Corsica, Texas, California and Louisiana. Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring.Even in warm climates, paperwhites are usually treated as annuals. The bulbs require hot, dry summers in order to produce a good show of flowers the following year. For this reason, they are considered perennials only in Southern California and parts of Texas.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.Like daffodils, paperwhites are a type of narcissus. But these are tender bulbs, native to frost-free regions of the Mediterranean. Here in the US, paperwhite narcissus are winter hardy only in growing zones 8-11. In colder areas, the bulbs are grown indoors during the winter months.Paperwhites are a variety of daffodil that are easy to grow and force into bloom. They are great to start now in Mid-November and have them ready for the holidays. They also have a beautiful fragrance. Paperwhites can be grown in potting soil or gravel.
What are the best paperwhite bulbs?
Ziva – Ziva paperwhites are by far the most popular paperwhite. Ziva paperwhites are more fragrant than other paperwhites. They grow 18 – 22 inches tall. The bulbs typically produce one stem with clusters of 6-8 flowers. 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.Nestle in the bulbs, pointy sides up, and add water just to touch the bottom of the dried roots, but not the bulb itself. It takes paperwhite bulbs about 4-6 weeks to bloom after plantings. If you want your paperwhites in bloom for Christmas, make sure to plant them no later than Thanksgiving.Pick your bulbs. If you like the scent of paperwhites, or want to try its traditional scent, choose ‘Ziva’. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer only a faint scent, try ‘Inbal’ instead. Our top-sized bulbs should have firm flesh, roots, and maybe even a bit of growth.Ziva paperwhites are more fragrant than other paperwhites. They grow 18 – 22 inches tall. The bulbs typically produce one stem with clusters of 6-8 flowers. These bulbs can also be planted outdoors in warmer climates.Place your pot in a sunny, warm location. Paperwhites are tropical bulbs and prefer temperatures around 70°F. If you place your Paperwhites for 3 to 4 weeks in a cooler place (45-55° F) directly after planting, they generally stay shorter which prevents them from falling over when in full bloom.
Is it worth saving paperwhite bulbs?
Answer: Paperwhite narcissus bulbs should be discarded after flowering. Paperwhites cannot be successfully forced again and are not winter hardy outdoors. Learn more about growing paperwhites in this article: Forcing Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs. Paperwhites can actually be planted indoors any time of year, but the bulbs typically don’t start to become available until September if you’re keen on a Halloween bloom, and you’ll only really start seeing them available in large numbers in October so they can be planted up in early November and bloom in time for .Paperwhite bulbs are a traditional indoor holiday garden must. Their bright white, star-like blossoms illuminate any room and bring a heady springtime fragrance in the middle of winter. With proper care they will bloom for two weeks, and if stored properly you can plant them over and over for several years.Allow the foliage to die back naturally then dig up the bulbs about 6 weeks after blooming. Discard any damaged or diseased ones and let them dry. Store in trays or nets in a dark, dry place over the summer and replant in them in the fall.When they’re finished blooming you can put them in the compost. Paperwhites are among the easiest daffodils to grow indoors.Try growing them outside. You folks are the lucky ones. You can poke your spent paperwhite bulbs in the ground in the spring with a little fertilizer. It will take 2-3 years for them to bloom again this way, but once they’re in the dirt, you can forget about them until they start blooming again.
Are paperwhites easy to grow?
Paperwhites are easy-to-grow flower bulbs that bring a hint of spring indoors over the winter months. These fragrant flowers are in the same family as Daffodils, or Narcissus. These powerhouse bulbs produce multiple flowers on multiple stems. Plant bulbs in two-week intervals for a constant display of flowers. 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.Maintain your paperwhite greens like you would a houseplant until the foliage dies back, usually around mid-July. 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!Properly cared for amaryllis bulbs will flower every year. paperwhite bulbs planted indoors or outside will typically only flower every 2-3 years. Often when planted in large groups, some will flower each year while the others provide supporting foliage.After this period of time, when the Paperwhite blooms have finished flowering, most people discard the bulbs because they don’t rebloom well indoors the following year. After the flowers fade, remove the plants and bulbs from the pot and compost or dispose of them.