Will paperwhites come back every year?
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. Unlike other narcissus, paperwhites don’t require a chilling period, so forcing them to bloom indoors is as easy as putting the bulbs in water and waiting. While paperwhite bulbs can be planted in soil, more commonly they are grown in containers or dishes of water with some stones or marbles to anchor them in place.Paperwhites belong to the same flower family as daffodils- but unlike spring-flowering daffodils that need a cold period to bloom, paperwhites require no chilling period. This makes them a great flower to force indoors during the long, winter season.Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring. However, those in cooler climates can also enjoy the blossoms by forcing indoors! We recommend planting a new batch every 2 to 3 weeks from October to January for continuous indoor blooms.Answer: Paperwhite narcissus bulbs should be discarded after flowering. Paperwhites cannot be successfully forced again and are not winter hardy outdoors.When forcing paperwhite narcissus in bowls, partially fill the container with washed gravel or stones. Place the bulbs on the gravel or stones. Then place additional gravel or stones around the bulbs, leaving the tips (noses) of the bulbs exposed. Add water to the bowl until it touches the bottom of the bulbs.
When to dig up paperwhite bulbs?
Dig up bulbs after the foliage has died back to see if they have been attacked by pests or rot. As the bulb’s roots grow, they will spread out under and around the stones.
Do paperwhite bulbs regrow?
Once the bulbs have flowered, it can be difficult to get another bloom in the same season. Sometimes if you plant them outside in USDA zone 10, you may get another bloom the next year but usually, paperwhite bulb reblooming will take up to three years. 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.Add a couple of inches of soil or bulb compost. Plant the Paperwhite bulbs closely packed together with the pointed ends upwards and add more soil so that the tips are just showing. Water sparingly so that the soil is just moist, place the pot in a sunny spot and the Paperwhites will bloom in around 6 weeks.Most sources I consulted say it probably is not worthwhile trying to get your paperwhites (Narcissus) to rebloom. It can take several years for the bulbs to build up enough energy to rebloom.Once the bulbs have flowered, it can be difficult to get another bloom in the same season. Sometimes if you plant them outside in USDA zone 10, you may get another bloom the next year but usually, paperwhite bulb reblooming will take up to three years.
How long do paperwhite bulbs last?
Paperwhite flowers only last a couple of days. That’s completely normal. If you were expecting flowers to last forever, that’s not the way they work. 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.Place the vase in a sunny, warm location. Paperwhites are tropical bulbs and prefer temperatures around 70°F. If you place your paperwhites in a cooler sunny spot (40-55°F) directly after planting for 3-4 weeks, the stems will stay shorter, which prevents them from falling over when in full bloom.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.Paperwhites bloom four to eight weeks after potting. For a continuous show of color, start new pots of bulbs every couple of weeks throughout fall and winter. They bloom only once, so discard bulbs after they have flowered.
What do you do with paperwhite bulbs after they have bloomed?
Paperwhite Re-Blooming 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 Planting Tips Plant paperwhites every two weeks through the holiday season, ensuring spritely flowers through deep winter. Store bulbs in a dark place at room temperature until planting.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.All narcissi are early blooming bulb plants, and paperwhites are one of the earliest. They are also a popular variety to force to bloom inside, especially in time for the winter holidays. The ones in the picture, all came from one little clump I found blooming in a fill dirt dump site a couple years ago.They are a type of narcissus, typically known for their pretty white flowers that bloom during the winter. The paperwhite gets its name from its papery-looking petals, which make them resemble a piece of paper. Paperwhite flowers are native to the Mediterranean region of the world.
When should you plant paperwhite bulbs?
When growing paperwhites indoors, plant the bulbs in late fall to early winter. Plant between five to eight bulbs together in a pot that’s at least 4 inches deep. Fill the pot halfway with potting mix, then set the bulbs on top. Add a little more potting mix until the top third of the bulbs are left exposed. What to do: We suggest planting your paperwhite bulbs in stones, gravel, marbles, glass beads, etc. Add water as you normally would, then wait about 1 week until roots are growing, and the shoot is green and growing about 1-2″ above the top of the bulb.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.After planting, keep the bulbs in a cool—about 65 °F—and dark room for several weeks until the roots take hold and shoots start to sprout from the bulbs. Then place the containers in a cool, sunny location. In 4-6 weeks, you’ll see tiny blossoms on the flower stems.Here’s what you do: Once the bulb is finished blooming, cut off the flowering stalks. If there are leaves growing, that’s great because you’re already a step ahead! Keep the bulb in an area with decent light and water it when the soil is dry.
Do paperwhite bulbs need sun?
Place the vase in a sunny, warm location. Paperwhites are tropical bulbs and prefer temperatures around 70°F. If you place your paperwhites in a cooler sunny spot (40-55°F) directly after planting for 3-4 weeks, the stems will stay shorter, which prevents them from falling over when in full bloom. When growing paperwhites indoors, plant the bulbs in late fall to early winter. Plant between five to eight bulbs together in a pot that’s at least 4 inches deep. Fill the pot halfway with potting mix, then set the bulbs on top. Add a little more potting mix until the top third of the bulbs are left exposed.Tips for Forcing Paperwhites Watering your paperwhites with an alcohol and water solution can keep foliage stunted but with full-sized blooms. You can also use short bamboo stakes and twine to support the stalks. Once they’ve bloomed, discard the paperwhite bulbs.For paperwhites planted in soil in a bulb pan or pot, keep the potting soil consistently moist, but not saturated, which will prevent bulb rot. Choose a pot with a drainage hole so the bulbs are never inadvertently sitting in water.Add more soil to your container so that just the tips of the paperwhite necks are showing. Water well and then put your container somewhere fun to be displayed so you can watch your bulbs grow! Bulbs- when grown in a relatively cool room (60° to 65°F), your flower display can last for up to a month.