Jan Goldsmith, host of HGTV's Great Indoors, explains how to grow paper-whites and other small narcissus bulbs that require no cold treatment and can be forced into bloom indoors in a basket or other container. The container needn't have a drainage hole, but if you wish to use the bulbs again, some drainage is advised. Before you buy, inspect bulbs carefully: Make sure they're plump, firm and heavy for their size. Avoid any that show signs of rot or have soft spots. Fill a container half full of good-quality potting soil. Water before planting. Make sure the pointed end of each bulb is facing up, with the flat side on the bottom. You don't need to cover the bulbs with soil. Place the planted bulbs in a cool, dark place for about three weeks, or until roots have started to form. Test to see whether the roots are established by tugging on the bulbs. If they seem firmly set, the roots are well established, and you can move the bulbs to a sunny room. In three or four weeks, your bulbs should bloom. Paper-whites produce a beautiful fragrance. You can also plant these bulbs in a basket filled with gravel. You'll need a basket, a liner, gravel, presoaked sphagnum moss, paper-whites and a watering can. - Line a basket with plastic or a liner so that it will hold water.
- Fill the liner half full of clean gravel.
- Place the bulbs, pointed ends up, on top of the gravel. Squeeze in as many as you can.
- Top off with more gravel to fill the liner.
- Place a thick layer of sphagnum moss over the gravel.
- Fill the container with water to the top of the liner.
- Place the basket in a cool, dark area until the bulbs have sent up sprouts 1" to 2" tall.
- Move the basket to a sunny room. As they grow, your narcissus may need staking to keep them from falling over. Use a ribbon for a nice decorative touch.
- After the bulbs bloom, remove the spent flowers, and plant the bulbs in a sunny garden spot.
You can also plant narcissus in a bulb vase. Simply place a bulb in each vase, fill with water so the bulb does not touch the water, place in a dark, cool area until roots form, and move the vase to a sunny window.
RESOURCES :
For tools from the Gardener's Supply Co.
Gardener's Supply Company
Burlington, VT 05401-2850
Fax: 800-551-6712 -or- 80
Email: info@gardeners.com
Website: www.gardeners.com
For bulbs from Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: 804-693-3966
Fax: 804-693-9436
Website: http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
For bulbs from the Van Bourgondien Brothers
Van Bourgondien Brothers
Babylon, NY 11702-9004
Phone: 516-669-3500
Fax: 516-669-1228
Email: blooms@dutchbulbs.com
Website: http:www.dutchbulbs.com
For bulbs from Dutch Gardens
Dutch Gardens
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Email: info@dutchgardens.com
Website: http://www.dutchgardens.com
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