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When can you buy paperwhites?
If you’re looking to purchase bulbs online, your best chance for prime selections will be in the late summer and early fall months. That being said, you will be able to find paperwhites and similar bulbs like amaryllis at local garden centers and home and garden retailers during the winter at very affordable prices.
Can you grow paperwhite bulbs?
Grow paperwhites indoors in a shallow pot or bowl (3-4 inches deep) without drainage holes. Fill the pot with small, loose stones. Gently place upright paperwhite bulbs into the container, pressing them into the stones. Paperwhite bulbs can also be planted outside in the fall in warm climates.
Do paperwhite bulbs come back?
Paperwhites are often found in homes, blooming with starry white flowers that help dispel the cobwebs of winter. 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.
What kind of flower is a paperwhite?
Paperwhite flowers (Narcissus papyraceus) are part of the narcissus family, like daffodils. They’re native to the Mediterranean. Since they come from a mild climate, they don’t need to be pre-chilled before they flower like other bulbs. That means you can start growing them right out of the box.
Can I reuse paperwhite bulbs next year?
When paperwhite bulbs are forced, they cannot be reused or regrown; however, when planted in soil and allowed to grow and bloom on their timing, you can reuse or regrow paperwhites every year. Plan on planting your paperwhites outdoors in October or November in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 11.
How do you store paperwhite bulbs for the next year?
Keep Them in Pots About six weeks after the paperwhite blooms, turn the pot on its side and store it somewhere where it will not freeze, such as a garage or basement. In the fall, turn the pot upright, place it in the sun, water the bulb thoroughly and continue watering until the paperwhite blooms again in the spring.
How long do paperwhite bulbs last?
How Long Do Paperwhites Last? Paperwhites will bloom for about 2 weeks. After that, snip off the faded flowers and either enjoy the green leaves as a houseplant for a few more weeks or drop the bulbs and leaves in the compost pile.
How do you take care of paperwhite bulbs?
Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Paperwhites will bloom in about two to four weeks. Once the plants begin to bloom, the floral display typically lasts one to two weeks. For longest bloom, keep the soil moist and move the pot out of direct sun.
How do you plant paperwhite bulbs in soil?
Planting Instructions For Paperwhite Bulbs Fill a pot or dish halfway with soil or gravel. You’ll want at least 2 inches of soil or gravel for drainage. Set the bulbs gently in the soil or gravel, and pack more soil around the bulbs, leaving the tips visible. Water the bulbs thoroughly until the soil is soaked.
What do you do with bulbs after they bloom indoors?
Clip off dead blooms, leaving the foliage intact. Set containers in a sunny window indoors, or a bright, but protected spot outside and continue watering as usual. Allow the soil to dry out completely once the leaves have withered and died. Set the pots in a cool, dry place in a basement, garage, or shed.
Do you cut paperwhites after they bloom?
Overwinter and Transplant Paperwhite Bulbs Cut off the flowers and stems after the paperwhite bulbs finish blooming. Do not cut off any leaves. Fill a 4- to 6-inch container halfway with potting soil. If you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture zone 8 or above, you may also set the bulbs outside for the winter.
Why are my paperwhites not blooming?
Either they were grown in a room that’s too warm (above 65°F) or they didn’t get enough light. For stocky plants, grow the bulbs in a cool room (50-60°F) and make sure they get lots of bright, indirect light. Once you see buds, move the pot into your living area.
What do paperwhites smell like?
Paperwhite narcissus are the cilantro of the flower world. While some people can’t get enough of their heady fragrance, to others they smell like a cross between dirty socks and cat pee. Like daffodils, paperwhites are a type of narcissus. They also come into flower very quickly — usually within a month after planting.
When should I start my paperwhites for Christmas?
When to plant paperwhites for Christmas blooms The best time to plant your paperwhites for Christmas blooms would be 4-6 weeks before you want them at their best. If you want them blooming in early December for the start of the Christmas party season, plant in mid to late October.
What do paperwhites symbolize?
Meaning: Hope, faithfulness. The Farmer’s Almanac says that the meaning of the Narcissus paperwhite (see below) conveys an unconditional love for your beloved. Name Origin: There are actually several flowers in the narcissus family that you will be familiar with: the daffodil, the jonquil, and the paperwhite.
