Indoor Blooming Winter Bulbs
What to do with your Paperwhites and Amaryllis
Since many of you are asking what you can do to save your indoor winter blooming bulbs for next year, I thought I’d post some suggestions.
Paperwhite Bulbs- For those that live south of the Mason-Dixon Line: you have a good chance of planting your bulbs outdoors for blooms next year, here’s how: when the show is over, keep indoors until spring, watering as needed, allowing the foliage to die back–do not cut off, it is making the flowers for next year. Plant outdoors when soil is workable, plant the bulb 3 times its width deep. Here in southeastern Virginia
Amaryllis Bulbs- After flowering, cut off the faded flowers and let leaves continue to grow and develop. To encourage this provide regular water. In May place your pot in a sheltered shady spot in your garden. In September, refrain from watering. In October, remove pot and all from garden, trim foliage and place in a dry cool but frost free location. In January, remove old roots and repot in fresh soil. You will enjoy flowers again indoors come late winter.
Growing Amaryllis
Growing Amaryllis is much easier than it would appear. I think the beauty of the blooms literally scares people from growing them! But let me be the one to share the secret– the flower is in the bulb when you buy it and it is coming out of the bulb with or without your help! Your help just makes it look a little nicer by providing basic care.
The basic care I provide:
· Before planting the bulb, place in a saucer and cover the roots with 1/2” of lukewarm water for a couple of hours, this encourages root formation.
· I prefer the soil planting method over growing in pebbles and water for Amaryllis. Select a container that has a drainage hole. Fill the container with potting soil and place the bulb on top. Add just enough potting soil so that at least 1/2 of the bulb is exposed above the soil surface. No fertilizer is needed. Allow to dry-out between watering. As the bulb puts on growth you will notice an increase in watering requirements.
· Provide support for your bulbs before you need it! Using 3-4 twigs from your yard, diameter the size of your little finger, about 18′ tall. Create a natural looking grow through support for your bulbs. I push the twigs down into the soil either into each corner of the container or use 3 twigs to create a tri-pod. I tie the twigs together at the top with raffia. The foliage grows up through the support, virtually hiding it and you can tie a wide beautiful ribbon around the waist of the plant for added support if needed.
· Planting 3 Amaryllis bulbs together in a container puts on a show you will never forget.
· Place in a cool bright spot, removing faded flowers promptly will increase the life of the remaining flowers.
· After flowering, cut off the faded flowers and let leaves continue to grow and develop. To encourage this provide regular water.
· In May place your pot in a sheltered shady spot in your garden. In September, refrain from watering. In October, remove pot and all from garden, trim foliage and place in a dry cool but frost free location. In January, remove old roots and repot in fresh soil. You will enjoy flowers again indoors come late winter.
Why bulb size matters:
Our large “grower” size bulbs produce more stems, more flowers and large flowers then younger smaller bulbs. Larger bulbs also make saving the bulbs from year to year easy and rewarding. Each year the show just gets better!
Start a new tradition:
Amaryllis bulbs are a great "pass it on" tradition to start! I met a lady a Flower and Garden Show recently that has the Amaryllis bulb that her Mother grew for years and it was passed on to her when her Mother passed away. She continues to care for it as her Mother did and it blooms every year.
Great cut flowers:
Amaryllis also makes excellent fresh cut flowers. They last just as long, if not longer cut from the bulb as left on the bulb! To use as fresh cuts, grow as usual, cut the stem just above the bulb when the bud is colored but just starting to open. Treat as a cut flower, placing in clean water with fresh flower food for a beautiful display! Harvest flower stems as they develop leaving the leaves on the bulb—as these are the food making the flowers for next year! Follow the regular instructions included with the bulb for summer care.
Amaryllis bulbs are easy to grow and even more fun to save from year to year!
Give them a try!
Buy Amaryllis now.
Paperwhite Bulb Growing Instructions
We recommend and offer the Narcissi Paperwhite bulb variety "Nazareth". A low fragrance Paperwhite! Paperwhites are planted and grown in containers indoors for blooms throughout the winter season.
Paperwhites can be forced between October 1 and the end of March. Paperwhites started in October will be in full bloom by November. Paperwhites planted later in the season come quicker.
Growing in soil: Choose a container that has a drainage hole. Place 2-3" of soil in the bottom of the container. Place the bulbs like eggs in a carton- close but not touching, pressing lightly into the soil. Add enough soil to come up to the tip of the bulbs and firm the soil in well. After planting thouroughly moisten the soil. For a decorative touch and added bulb support, top the soil with gravel or pebbles, placing gentle around the bulbs.
Growing in pebbles: Choose a water tight container, I prefer a clear bowl (crystal salad bowls are perfect). This allows you to see the beautiful roots growing through the pebbles and also for easier water level viewing. I find using distilled water in place of tap water keeps the container cleaner over time. Fill the container 2/3′s full with pebbles. Place the bulbs like eggs in a carton- close but not touching, placing the bulbs on the gravel. Add water so that the water barely reaches the base of the bulbs. Next, fill the bowl with pebbles by placing them gentle around the bulbs.
Growing conditions: Keep the container in a bright cool room for the first 2 weeks while developing roots. Move to a warmer and sunnier location for the foliage growth. Your Paperwhites will bloom for a 2-3 week period. If your home is warmer (72 degrees and above) they will come and go faster. If your home is cooler, 70 degrees and below (like mine) yours may come on a little slower but will last much longer.
Watering: Water as often as necessary to keep the soil from drying out or so the water barely touches the base of the bulbs in the gravel. As they begin to grow foliage and flowers you will notice they need water more often.
How to keep your Paperwhites plants 1/3 shorter with "The Recipe"
Paperwhites often grow tall, leggy and fall over because they are stretching for light. Most homes as far as plants are concerned would be considered low-light. This recipe works even in low-light situations!
To keep your Paperwhites shorter, plant as directed above, wait 1 week until roots are growing and the shoot is green and growing about 1-2" above the top of the bulb. For pebble plantings pour off the water and replace it with a solution of 4-6% alcohol to reduce the growth by 1/3–do not exceed the recommend dose. For soil planted bulbs just begin watering with the recipe.
"The Recipe"
· Using household rubbing alcohol that is 70% alcohol. Mix 1 part rubbing alcohol to 10 parts water.
· Using a 40% gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, or tequila. Add 1 part alcohol to 7 parts water.
Use this recipe instead of water for further watering of your bulbs. Do not use beer or wine. Instructions courtesy of William Miller, Professor of Horticulture, Cornell University.
Growing Tips for Success:
· Paperwhites make excellent cut flowers. They last just as long, if not longer cut from the bulb as left on the bulb! To use as a fresh cut, grow as usual, cut the stem just above the bulb when the bud is just beginning to crack open. Treat as a cut flower, placing in clean water with fresh flower food for a beautiful display! Harvest stems as they develop leaving the foliage on the bulb- as these are the food making the flowers for next year.
· Provide a support for your bulbs before you need it! Using 3-4 twigs from your yard, diameter the size of your little finger, about 18′ tall. Create a natural looking grow through support for your bulbs. I push the twigs down into the soil or pebbles, either into each corner of the container or use 3 twigs to create a tri-pod. I tie the twigs together at the top with raffia. The foliage grows up through the support, virtually hiding it and you can tie a wide beautiful ribbon around the waist of the plant for added support if needed.
· Keep extra bulbs on hand in a cool dark place and you’ll be able to plant them every few weeks to have blooms all winter long.
· For those that live south of the Mason-Dixon Line: When the show is over, keep indoors until spring, watering as needed, allowing he foliage to die back–do not cut off, it is making the flowers for next year. Plant outdoors when soil is workable. Here in southeastern Virginia they bloom in the coming years outdoors in the garden in November.
· Paperwhites make excellent hostess gifts, teacher gifts and that gift you have under the tree for just in case!
Enjoy a bit of spring hope and beauty all winter long with Paperwhite blooms!
To purchase our low fragrance Paperwhite Bulbs click here.
Indoor Blooms with Bulbs for the Holidays and Beyond…
I am learning more and more just how many folks don’t know how easy and quick it is to have big beautiful blooming in your home during the winter months with bulbs. I am not talking about those bulbs you have to pot up and chill in the refrigerator for weeks, but those that come to you ready to be potted up and bloom just about right away!
I want to encourage anyone that has never grown an indoor blooming bulb to go for it! You can not go wrong—the flower is already in the bulb and the flowers are coming out with or without you, soon or later—really! Watching the whole process of it growing is a big part of it also. It happens so quickly that it will amaze you, your kids and those that are shut-ins or retired especially enjoy them.
There are bulbs to bloom throughout the winter. Paperwhites will bloom normally within 2-4 weeks from planting, taking 4 weeks earlier in the season and coming on quicker later. Amaryllis can have different bloom times. We sell those that are programmed to bloom over the holiday season. There are others available that will bloom in later winter months. You can have beautiful blooms in your throughout the winter with little effort.
View photos of my indoor bulbs in my Winter Bulb photo album. Click here to view The Gardener’s Workhop indoor blooming bulb offering.
Coming: Paperwhites Bulbs- Not the stinkers that used to be!
