 |
Paperwhites!
What can be prettier in the dead of winter than live plants sending up beautiful white flowers?
Today I’m sharing with you
A Visual Tutorial
for growing paperwhite bulbs into gorgeous blooms.
Are those just not the prettiest flowers ever?
You can pretty up your home with paperwhites too!
Here’s what to do….
Paperwhites : Easy DIY Holiday Project
1. Gather the following supplies:
- Waterproof container (I used a basket with a plastic liner)
- Small pebbles (I bought two sacks of tiny river rocks at the Dollar Tree)
- Paperwhite bulbs (Mine were purchased in bulk from our local Agway – farm/garden center)
- Pitcher of water (I used filtered)
2. Place one sack of pebbles in your waterproof container and place the bulbs on the stones with the hairy side down and the stem side up. (Don’t worry if your stem is shooting sideways. Just make sure the furry roots are bottom side down.)
3. Sprinkle the second bag of pebbles over the bulbs and sort of set the pot down hard a few times to settle in the stones and the bulbs. (The bulbs should be partially exposed…they do not need to be covered.)
4. Water. Pour in just enough to cover the bottom of the bulbs halfway…enough to rehydrate them. They should not be swimming in water. After the initial watering, water occasionally or when you can’t feel the water any more, and then only pour in enough to wet the roots. The flowers will last longer if their feet are not wet. Moist and wet is a world of difference. Over water and the plants will get floppy.
5. To get the bulbs to grow more quickly, I place them in the sun or near a heat source until they are up about 6 inches. After that I keep them in a bright spot, but not in direct sunlight. By keeping them out of the window they stand up a lot straighter.
6. After the plants are a foot tall I tie a strand of fishing line around them. This will help when one or more of the leaves or stems decides to become independent from the group. The fishing line is not attached to anything…but you could attach it to stick if you like.
7. Enjoy!!!
Bulbs usually become available in late September. You may still be able to get some at your garden shop or farm store now. Or you may order Narcissus Ziva Paperwhites here.
My paperwhite bulbs took a little more than 2 weeks to grow and bloom. (I have had them take as long as 6 weeks in the past when they were in a colder room.) This batch has been flowering and looking great for nearly 2 weeks. Note: If you have a sensitivity to smells, these lovely blooms have a fairly strong but beautiful fragrance.
Paperwhites! Extraordinary beauty for Christmas, New Year’s, and on through Valentine’s Day! Plan ahead and have several growings through the winter months for gorgeous springtime loveliness.
Are you a fan of paperwhites?
What is your favorite paperwhite container?
Do you have any paperwhite tips to share?
What other plants to you enjoy for Christmastime?
Paperwhites stole the show in my Swedish Christmas Room. Click here to check out A Very Merry Christmas House Tour.
Christmas blessings…
Diane
If you’d enjoy more Christmas Decor Inspiration…please check out these recent posts:
Christmas Joy on the Sideboard
A Very Merry Christmas House Tour
Creatively Trimming the House with Trees for Christmas
Tablescaping with Silver for Christmas
To receive bits of inspiration like this in your inbox or reader, subscribe now.
Sharing with DIY Show-off + Lil’ Luna + The Trendy Treehouse + Fine Craft Guild + Whimsy Wednesdays + Stone Gable + No Minimalist Here + House of Hepworths + Live Laugh Rowe + The Shabby Creek Cottage + Katherine’s Corner + Bloom + Imparting Grace + The Brambleberry Cottage + A Delightsome Life + From My Front Porch to Yours + The Charm of Home + Common Ground + French Country Cottage + Craftberry Bush + Thrifty Groove + Romantic Home + Studio JRU + Tidy Mom + Shabby Nest + Funky Junk Interiors
Please note the bulbs above are offered for your convenience from my affiliate link.
I will earn a commission if you purchase through that link. Thank you!!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks so much for reading!
Please stop by Longaberger Lifestyle
Bless Family & Friends with Unique Handmade Goodness from Longaberger!
Don’t miss out on the fantastic SALES every Tuesday & Wednesday!
|
oh, i LOVE paper whites!! Miss seeing them around! Thank you for linking ‘m up at our linky party at http://www.finecraftguild.com ~ Makes my day!
Rose :: Crafts recently posted..PARTY !! live !! COME LINK UP !! ( treat 4 you here)
Paperwhites just put a smile on my face too! Thanks for your wonderful hospitality, Rose!
Your paperwhites are so pretty. I didn’t grow any this year and I’ve missed them. I love your fishing line tip and will have to remember it for future years.
I’m visiting via Richella’s Grace at Home party.
Paula@SweetPea recently posted..Peanut Butter Bars that Taste like a Reese’s Cup
Oh thank you, Paula!!!
The fishing line is the easiest and I love that it is nearly invisible!
Wishing you the Merriest and Blessed Christmas!
I have been seeing paperwhites everywhere lately and I’m really starting to like them! I’ll have to try this out. Thanks for the visual tutorial and fishing line tip!
Visiting from Thursday Favorite Things.
Merry Christmas!
Tammy/Our Neck of the Woods recently posted..Our 2012 Christmas Card
You are so welcome Tammy! I’m a visual person and guess there’s lot of others like me too!
I hope you give the paperwhites a try! They will definitely put a smile on your face!
Merry Extraordinary Christmas!
Ohmygosh they’re beautiful.
I’ve tried to grow them before–and I suspect I drowned the poor things.
Maybe I need one of those ‘clear containers’ that you show here so I can SEE how deep the water truly is.
Wow–they’re pretty!!
Haha! I never thought about being able to see the water through the container. Who knew! Another great use for a basket protector!!!
I hope you give them another try!! Thanks for enjoying my paperwhites with me!
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing this tutorial with us!
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove recently posted..Thrifty Things Friday #88
Thank YOU Diann!!!! I’m delighted to join in your special community!
These are beautiful! I have been wanting to do this for years and always remember too late to find some bulbs to grow for Christmas! lol Thank you for showing us how easy this is to do. Hopefully I will find some bulbs!
Jennifer {StudioJRU} recently posted..door decor {creative christmas}.
I discovered that they are plenty of places still selling them online…I even made an Amazon link for that very reason. I think they are beautiful to have right up to spring.
Absolutely gorgeous! I love that you captured photos as they grew. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing at the hop
Katherines Corner recently posted..Joy Of Giving
Thank you for enjoy my white pretties with me!!!
Merry Christmas Katie!!!