Growing Paperwhite Narcissus Flowering Bulbs
Heavy scented, white trumpeted flowers, the Paperwhite Narcissus is a joy
to grow. And, it's oh so easy to grow, too!
A native to Europe and Asia, it is now grown around the world. Paperwhites
are a small member of the Narcissus family (Daffodils and Jonquils are larger
family members). What Paperwhites lack in size, they make up for in fragrance
and charm. For little flowers, they are big in the popularity department.
These spring blooming flowers are equally popular grown as an indoor houseplant.
Growing them indoors adds bright, cheery blooms, and a sweet scent, to an
otherwise dreary winter 's day.
As their name suggests, Paperwhites are white. But, you can find these trumpet
shaped flowers in yellow too.
Did you know? Narcissus were named after the legendary Greek youth
Narcissus who was strikingly handsome.
How to Grow Paperwhites Indoors:
Here's where the fun comes in. The most popular way to grow Paperwhites is
to force them to bloom indoors during the winter. Fill a shallow bowl, pot,
or container part way with decorative stones. Plain stones, gravel, and even
soil works too. The decorative stones allows you to display your personal
creativity, and is much more fun. Set Paperwhite bulbs onto the stones, pushing
them down just far enough so the bulbs are supported in an upright position.
Put several of them together. Don't worry about crowding.
Add water just to the bottom of the bulb. If the water covers too much of
the bulb, they can rot. Now put them in a cool, dark place for one to two
weeks. When the roots have begin to take hold, and the plant has sprung from
the bulb, take the pot out into a brightly lit room. Four to six weeks later,
your Paperwhites will be in bloom.
Tip: Make sure to plant them in succession ,so you will have pots
of Paperwhites blooming all winter long!
After blooming, cut the flower and stem off. Do not cut back the leaves.
Put them in a sunny window and transplant them outdoors when the weather
permits. It will take two or three years before they will bloom again. They
need to "re-charge" their bulbs with energy.
How to Grow Paperwhite Narcissus Outdoors:
Paperwhites are grown from bulbs. Plant outdoors in the fall. Select a sunny
spot , although they will tolerate partial shade. The bulb stores all the
food it needs for next year's bloom. Adding a little fertilizer will help
the bulb to absorb energy for next year's bloom. Add mulch around the bed
to make it more attractive, and to keep the weeds down.
Paperwhites looks attractive planted in bunches. They don't mind a little
crowding.
More Information:
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Flower Gallery lots of pictures.
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