Sunday, January 29, 2012

Paperwhites


I'm trying something a little different with my paperwhites this winter. I bought a dozen bulbs a few weeks and am forcing them in a  bowl with water and rocks--as I always do. This year, though, instead of putting all the bulbs in the bowl at the same time, I am staggering them. The first ones bloomed a couple of days ago, others are budding out,and the last few bulbs just got tucked in among the rocks yesterday. My goal is to extend the bloom without having to have multiple containers.  I will see how the experiment goes in the long run, but so far, so good.
Linked to Macro Monday,

14 comments:

  1. Beautiful paperwhites!
    Great idea to stagger the bloom time!
    Happy Macro Monday!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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  2. Hi Kateri, Mine are outdoors just at the side of the house. I think that the tips are now just coming up above the soil. I think I will force some next year. I have never had indoor bulbs. Have a wonderful coming week and a great Monday tomorrow!

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  3. These are very pretty flowers - love the white with the splash of yellow in the centre. Lovely shots.

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  4. Beautiful macro shot and I love the idea of staggering the blooms! :)

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  5. what a lovely idea. i didn't know this was possible? are all bulbs capable of forcing with water?

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  6. They are so pretty! That's a great idea for extending their beauty.

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  7. What lovely flowers. I would not have thought to grow them this way.

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  8. Last year when you did this, I thought I would try it this year. I forgot! Do you think it is too late to start?

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  9. Thank you for all the comments. :)

    Rain, most bulbs do need a period of chilling before they will bloom in the winter. Paperwhites don't need to chilled, so they are one of the easier bulbs to force. Hyacinths, crocus, and the small early tulips can be forced in water and pebbles like this.

    Sandy, as long as you can still find the bulbs, it isn't too late.

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  10. Beautiful details of this lovely flower.

    Happy MM

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  11. I had every intention of forcing bulbs, but I think it's too late now. They look beautiful! I love the idea of staggering their planting.

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  12. I've been having a hard time of keeping up with blogging... so I missed macro Monday this week as I have more often than not lately.

    I like your idea of staggering the bulbs in the same container. And it's' a lovely photo!

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  13. OK, so, I planted half those bulbs you sent me in pots to force and left them in the garage. Shall I bring them in now, and how do I treat them? Water and sun? I haven't had much success in the past because I don't get much direct sun into my house. Maybe I'll try the upstairs bathroom. :)
    Love the rocks. I'll have to go digging in my garage for a few more bulbs and do the rock thing. Could you do a little instructive post on for how to force tulips best? since I trust your advice over a google search...thanks! :)

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  14. Very pretty. So nice to see flowers at this time of year. I like your idea of staggering the blooms.

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