QA

How To Care For 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.

What do you do with paperwhite bulbs after they bloom?

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 do you take care of indoor paperwhite bulbs?

Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bulbs. Store bulbs in a cool, dark room for 4-6 weeks. Move to a cool, sunny place when shoots begin to sprout. For shorter, more stable stems, grow paperwhite bulbs in water with a 5% alcohol concentration.

Can paperwhite bulbs be reused?

With the proper care, you can save and preserve paperwhite bulbs to bloom again. However, they do require time to replenish their energy stores, and may not re-bloom for two or three years. Paperwhites are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9.

Can you save paperwhite bulbs from year to 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 long do paperwhite blooms last?

Paperwhites will bloom for a week or two before fading. Once the flowers appear, the blooms will last longer if you move the pot out of direct sunlight to a cool spot with indirect or diffused light. For continuous blooms, plant pots every two weeks in the late fall and early winter.

How do you store paperwhite bulbs for the next year?

Store the paper bag in a moderately cool and dry location. A standard interior room with temperatures between 60 F and 75 Fahrenheit is ideal for paperwhite storage. Store the paperwhite bulbs for three to four months in the bag. Remove the bulbs from the bag when you are ready to plant them.

How often should I water paperwhite bulbs?

Check the bulbs frequently and water thoroughly when the potting mix is dry 1″ below the surface (but not more than once a week until the bulbs begin active growth), or when the water level is more than 1″ below the stones or glass in your vase.

How do you force paperwhite water?

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.

Why is my paperwhite drooping?

Too much water combined with warm conditions can lead to bud drop. Once it sets buds, water your Christmas cactus only if you notice it begin to wilt. Once it blooms, resume watering whenever the soil surface feels dry.

Will Paperwhite narcissus bloom again?

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.

Should you cut back bulbs after flowering?

Cutting Back Fall-Planted Bulbs The best time to prune is after they bloom in the spring. Let the flower completely fall and the seed pod go brown. Once the green leaves have started to die back and have turned brown then it’s okay to prune.

Can you leave bulbs in pots?

You can grow virtually any bulb in containers, and you can mix different types of bulbs together, too. Start with a container with drainage holes so that excess water can escape, and plant your bulbs in the fall. Most spring-blooming bulbs prefer well-drained soil and will rot and die if they stay too wet for too long.

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.

Can paperwhite bulbs be planted outside?

Like most bulbs that are forced for indoor flowers, paperwhites are usually tossed out after they finish blooming. In warm climates, where temperatures don’t go below 20°F, paperwhite bulbs can be planted outdoors in late fall and will bloom in late winter. Plant the bulbs about 6″ deep and 4″ apart.

How do you deadhead a paperwhite?

While paperwhites need minimal care, proper pruning allows bulbs to store enough energy to fuel the following year’s blooms. Deadhead plants during the growing season by removing fading or dying flowers with sharp garden shears or clippers. Remove discolored leaves.

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.

Why are my paperwhite leaves turning yellow?

Daffodil leaves always turn yellow a few weeks after the plant blooms. This is normal and indicates that their job is finished for the season. The leaves have absorbed sunlight, which creates energy for the production of sugar that replenishes the bulb for the coming growing season.