One way to garden indoors during the winter months is by forcing bulbs. The most popular bulb for this purpose is the paperwhite narcissus. Paperwhites do not need a cold period to bloom indoors, and this makes them perfect for forcing during the winter.
Traditionally the bulbs are placed in containers filled either with soil or with gravel, rocks or marbles and water. In only 4-5 weeks, they will begin to bloom.
However, a major problem with paperwhites is their tendency to develop long, lanky stems and leaves that require support. But there is a solution to this problem.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered how to reduce the growth of the leaves and stems by one-third, while still producing normal-sized flowers, simply by watering with isospropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
Steps to stunt paperwhites with rubbing alcohol
1. Place the bulbs, pointed side up, in about 3 inches of pebbles. Push the bulbs down, leaving half of each bulb exposed. Add water to barely touch the bottom of the bulbs, and wait one week.
2. When shoots reach 1″-2″ above the top of the bulb, pour off the water.
3. Replace the water with a 5 percent solution (one part rubbing alcohol to 10 parts of water).
4. Continue to use the alcohol solution for all future watering. You will see results in just a few days.
Let there be light
Light is a key factor in unleashing the fragrance of paperwhites. Initially place the container in a cool, dark place for about a week.
Gradually move the planted container into increasing amounts of light, finally landing it in the sunniest spot, though away from direct sunlight. This will lengthen the bloom period of your paperwhites.
If you plant bulbs successively, spaced two weeks apart, you can have paperwhites blooming in your house through March. The bad news is that they will not rebloom indoors after they are forced, as their energy has been depleted. But you can try planting them outdoors after they have bloomed inside.
Because it may take two years for them to bloom again after replanting, and sometimes they never bloom again at all, many experts recommend simply throwing out the bulbs after forcing them indoors.
Do you have a question for the Butte County Master Gardeners? Call our hotline at 538-7201.
