Paperwhites floppy? Give ’em a stiff drink
If bright red poinsettias aren’t your cup of tea, consider the crisp white flowers of paperwhite narcissus( Narcissuspapyraceus) this holiday season. Unlike most forced bulbs, paperwhites do not require a period of pre-cooling before blooming indoors.
Paperwhite bulbs are available in stores, but be sure to check their freshness and size. A rock-bottom price may indicate an inferior bulb. Ordering bulbs directly from the grower or from a specialty nursery allows you to choose superior varieties, larger bulbs with bigger flowers and the perfect quantity for your needs. Bulbs typically cost $1-$2 each, but if you order in quantities of 50 or more, you’ll pay less. While 50 bucks sounds like a lot, it’s a small price to pay for flowers the entire winter, or enough gifts for all of your friends.
‘Ziva’ is the classic paperwhite — pure white with a strong musky fragrance. The fragrance is akin to cilantro; some people adore it while it reminds others of dirty socks or cat urine. Its unique scent is due to the presence of indole, the same component of cherished scents such as jasmine, orange blossoms and gardenia.
Growers have been working on hybridizing cultivars with a less pronounced fragrance than Zivas. ‘Inbal’, ‘Ariel’ and ‘Nir’ are reputed to have a lighter scent. Some of these varieties are also shorter in stature than ‘Ziva’, which sometimes flop when in full bloom.
To keep paperwhites upright, you can support them with ribbon or twine or stake them with pretty branches or bamboo stakes, taking care not to puncture the bulbs. Alternatively, you can “pickle” them by mixing a bit of alcohol into the water, especially if they’re grown in pebbles. You must be careful. Follow the method developed by Cornell University’s Flower Bulb Research Program (www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/Pickling_
Before planting paperwhites, store in a cool space (55-60 degrees) to maintain freshness. You can expect them to root within 2-3 weeks and bloom at around 6 weeks after planting. Plant a few every couple of weeks and you’ll have a succession of flowers from now through March.
Indoor temperatures in the lower 60s are optimal for paperwhites. If kept in the high 60s or 70s, they will grow too quickly, flop easily and die more quickly. Keep your bulbs near a windowsill or in a cool spot in your house and move them front and center if you’re entertaining to show off their flowers. The cooler you can keep them the longer they will last.
You can plant paperwhites in potting soil or in pebbles without soil. Either way, they should be planted together tightly, an inch apart or less.
To grow paperwhites in potting soil, use a quality soilless mix and plant the bulbs in a container about 4-5 inches deep. A more shallow container will work, but once the bulbs root they may push up from the soil. Gently push the
bulbs down if they begin to heave. Add soil around the base, allowing the top third of the bulb to project above the soil.
Water well along the sides of the bulbs until the water flows from a drainage hole or makes its way to the bottom of a closed container. If your bulbs are in a closed container, do not fill the pot to the point that the bulb is swimming in muddy potting soil. Water when the soil surface is barely damp. Top with pebbles or moss for a more decorative look.
Paperwhites planted in pebbles have a contemporary feeling and the visible growth of their roots can be fun for a budding gardener to observe. You can use a shallow bowl at least 3 inches deep or a taller clear container up to 8 inches tall, which will keep them from flopping.
Place at least 1 inch of pebbles at the bottom of the container. Set the bulbs atop the pebbles, then spread pebbles between them, packing them about
⅓ of the way up the bulb. Add water so it reaches the top of the pebbles. Maintain the water level as the plants root and grow.
Pristine white and fragrant (to most of us!), paperwhites are a perfectly simple and beautiful flower to enjoy all winter.