Paperwhites add a delightful fragrance and beauty to the winter home.
Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta) are a popular bulb to force inside. They do not require a cold period and white, fragrant flowers usually bloom 2-3 weeks after being started. To start them, place several bulbs (odd numbers are best) in a vase or jar using marbles, stones or some other decorative material under and around the bulbs. Fill with water up to the top of the middle of the bulb and maintain water height.
The secret to preventing your paperwhites from becoming too tall and flopping over is to use a dilute alcohol solution once the roots have developed and a shoot appears – about 1 week after starting. Pour off the regular water and replace with a dilute solution of alcohol. The dilute alcohol solution will reduce the height of your paperwhite bulbs while still maintaining flower size and longevity. The alcohol solution should ideally be 4-6% alcohol but definitely under 10%. As with humans, too much alcohol is toxic to plants too! To make a dilute alcohol solution you can use any hard alcohol or save those for drinking and use rubbing alcohol instead.
It is thought that alcohol reduces the height of paperwhites by creating water stress. The alcohol interferes with the absorption of water, enough to constrain the size of the stems and leaves but not enough to affect the flowers.
Follow these dilutions:
- 40% Alcohol (most hard alcohols)
1 part booze TO 7 parts water - 70% Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
1 part alcohol TO 10-11 parts water
Try it! It works.
Referred to ‘Pickling your Paperwhites’ by W.B. Miller for content
