How To Plant Paper White Bulbs? (Read This First!)

how to plant paper white bulbs

Paperwhites can be planted outdoors anytime from fall through winter in zones 8 to 10, with flowers arriving in the spring. Those in cooler climates can also enjoy the blossoms indoors. Every 2 to 3 weeks from October to January is when we recommend planting a new batches.

Can you plant paperwhite bulbs in potting soil?

Paperwhites can be grown in potting soil or gravel. They can be grown in any type of planter. Make sure your container is water tight so water doesn’t drain out when you grow them in gravel. If you want the bulbs to not get too big, settle them in gravel that is small. When you are ready to plant the white bulbs you will need to cut off the top of the bulb. This will allow the roots to grow into the soil.

Place the cut bulb in a pot and cover it with a thin layer of peat moss. Allow the pot to dry out for a few days and then place it in the sun. After a week or so you should be able to see the new growth on the surface. If you can’t see it, it is probably too small to be a true white.

How far apart do you plant paperwhite bulbs?

Plant the bulbs about 6″ deep and 4″ apart. If you don’t have access to a garden center, you can grow your paperwhite plants in a greenhouse. You can also grow them indoors, but you’ll need to be careful not to over-water them. If you’re growing them outdoors, be sure to keep them well-watered, especially during the summer months when the sun is low and the humidity is high.

How many flowers do you get from a paperwhite bulb?

Paperwhites only need a small amount of water to grow. You can grow these bulbs in shallow dishes or trays. If you do this, the bulbs will not be able to get enough light to flower properly.

Can I reuse Paperwhite bulbs next year?

store them. When they’ve finished flowering, leave them in their pots for the next year, or dry them off, and re-pot them again late next year. Every winter for the past five years, I have had the same Paperwhite bulbs bloom. If they’re still green when you take them out of the pot, you’re good to go.

But if they turn yellow or brown, that’s a sign that you need to wait a few more days before transplanting them into a new pot. If you wait too long, the bulbs will die and you’ll have to start all over again.

Do paperwhites come back every year?

During the next season the plant needs leaves to produce flowers. Paperwhites are less demanding in warm climates than other narcissus varieties. They will come back from year to year with this minimal care.

How do I stop my paperwhites from getting leggy?

The trick that can prevent this from happening is to add vodka to the water when the stems reach 5 inches. It burns the roots instead of making the plants tipsy, which slows growth and prevents the plant from reaching its full potential.

If you don’t want to use vodka, you can also add a few drops of lemon or lime juice to your water and let it sit for a couple of minutes before adding the vodka. This will also help to burn off some of the toxins in the root system.

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. If the pots are too small, you may need to use a larger pot.

If you are using a pot that is too large, it may not be able to hold enough water to keep the plants from drying out. You may also have to add more fertilizer to compensate for the lack of water.

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