During the dull, lifeless days of winter, gardeners everywhere long for a hint of spring and the ensuing outdoor growing season. From the Mediterranean region comes a bulb that has given endless winter pleasure to plant lovers everywhere — paperwhite narcissus, one of the easiest bulbs to force into bloom during winter months.
The clusters of small, star-shaped flowers of paperwhites and their distinctive fragrance are pleasant during the bleak days of December and January. As a child’s indoor gardening project, or for anyone else who loves flowers in winter, forcing these bulbs into bloom can be very rewarding.
Paperwhite bulbs are normally available from garden centers and nurseries at the same time as daffodils, which is another species of the genus Narcissus. Paperwhite “kits” are now available which contain bulbs, a growing medium and a plastic pot. After planting, bulbs normally require 4-6 weeks to come into flower. Succession planting at two-week intervals in November will provide fragrant flowers throughout the month of February.
Although most people prefer the white cultivars of paperwhites, a yellow-flowered form is available. The yellow type may be found under several cultivar names. These include Soleil d’or, Grand Solei d’or, and Rising Sun narcissus. The deep yellow color of the flowers of these cultivars adds both brightness and fragrance to a room, though the flower clusters tend to be smaller than those of the white cultivars.
For best results, keep bulbs cool that are not planted immediately after purchase. Bulbs stored at warm temperatures will be of poorer quality and may fail to flower when planted later in the year. Paperwhites are not winter-hardy at our latitude and should not be planted outdoors.
Bulbs may be planted in a well-drained potting mix or in water-filled bowls containing pebbles or gravel. Bulbs planted in a potting mix tend to be easier to care for and have less tendency to topple over than those grown in gravel and water. Paperwhite bulbs are not useful for a second forcing and normally are discarded after blooms have faded.
To grow paperwhites in gravel and water, use a shallow bowl large enough in diameter to hold 4-6 bulbs. Space bulbs uniformly in the bowl and plant them deep enough so they are almost covered with gravel. Bulbs planted too shallow have a tendency to be pushed out of the bowl by developing roots. Check bulbs occasionally and push them back into the gravel when necessary. Keep the water level in the bowl level with the base of the bulbs. Do not cover the entire bulb with water. As roots develop, the water level in the bowl can be allowed to drop, since the roots will be able to take it up. There also will be less danger of bulb rot if the water level is dropped.
To prevent foliage and flowering stems from becoming too leggy, keep the bulbs cool after planting. Temperatures close to 45 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal during the early stages of growth. Light is not needed until top growth from the bulbs begins.
As leaves begin to develop, move the bowl or pot to a bright window in a cool room. If possible, move to a cooler location after leaves are developed enough so that flower buds are visible in the center of the leaf cluster. Temperatures in the 50 degree range, particularly at night, allow good development without becoming excessively leggy. Growth and flower development can be accelerated by subjecting bulbs to warmer temperatures, but plants will become taller.
Bulbs in gravel and water should be checked occasionally to make sure that the water has not “soured.” If the water has a foul odor, drain it and replace it with fresh. This may be difficult for some containers. Place the bowl under the faucet in the sink and allow water to slowly run into it. This will gradually both wash the gravel and replace fouled water with fresh. Drain off excess water after each washing.
As mentioned previously, paperwhite bulbs cannot be forced twice. They do not have enough stored food to repeat the process and (normally) will not survive our winter temperatures when planted outdoors. Therefore, bulbs should be discarded after they have finished flowering.
David Trinklein, Ph.D., is an MU Extension State Specialist and former Director of the Missouri Master Gardener program. He can be reached at [email protected] or (573)882-9631.
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