There’s really nothing simpler.
1. Place paperwhite bulbs in jar/vase/pot/bowl.
2. Cover the bottom two-thirds of the bulbs with potting soil, pebbles, or marbles.
3. Add water.
4. Stand back.
Most paperwhite-growing advice says the bulbs take about six weeks to mature, but that simply isn’t true. These guys were blooming in two-and-a-half weeks. That means there’s still time to grow them as Christmas or holiday housewarming gifts.
Talk about almost instant gratification.
In six weeks, they’ll be flopping all over the place (unless you included booze in their watering schedule).
Okay, paperwhites are easy, but what about hyacinths? I started some a full month ago and they are growing SO slowly–I have about 1/2 inch of stem pushing up from each bulb. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? (I am 95% positive that I bought the correct “hyacinths for forcing” at the nursery…)
You forgot to mention: they STINK. So pretty, but I can’t stand the smell.
Joseph – I rather like the smell :)
Paperwhites get me all nostalgic. Very pretty.
Yours are lovely! It seems to be a love/hate thing with the smell, kind of like how folks either crave the taste of cilantro or gag at the mention of it… I love the scent, but my boyfriend acts like someone potted up a skunk and stuck it on the kitchen counter… So we are a paperwhite-less abode, I’m afraid.
oh wow! i need to run out and get bulbs. i completely forgot about doing this and i love, love paperwhites! i’ve grown amaryllis as well, but the paperwhites smell so good, don’t they? :::
Beautiful pictures!!!
Amazing pictures :)
In regards to booze stunting the paperwhites’ otherwise vigorous growth upward, perhaps this is why I’m so short?!
Who cares about the smell? This is an idea of which I had never even thought and I find it so interesting that I’m considering trying the same method of “sprouting” other species of “enjoyable” plants such as “lilies” and other springtime bulbs which have small bulbs or corms. Lastly, I think the photography for this post is great as I really like the “backdrop” of the window/wall within which are the stems. Thanks!
I was just given some of these as a Christmas gift – and I was also told to keep them somewhere cool while they’re growing (the first little flower has not yet opened, but has just appeared). So, they’re sitting in my laundry room for now, I guess I’ll bring them out when they flower and see how I like the fragrance?!