HOW TO FORCE PAPERWHITES
Paper whites are a happy compliment to the holidays, and because they flower from the bulb within four to six weeks, it's almost time to start pots for holiday blossoms.
Here at FrenchGardenHouse, I use white flowers for the holiday season. I plant amaryllis and paper white bulbs in antique French containers, so that they add a peaceful and fresh elegance to our home.
The most appealing about the paper white clusters on our tabletops and sideboards is that they are elegant, but in an unfussy manner.
And then, of course, their is their delicious scent, a distinct perfume that envelops our home in fragrance just that one time of year.
If you buy the bulbs and everything else you need now, and plant your bulbs the first week in November, you will have a gorgeous display of paperwhites to fill your rooms with fragrance by early December.
If you've never done this, don't worry!
It's easy, and I know you can do this.
You can either buy special glass containers at a garden center to plant a bulb in, or just plant a bunch in a shallow pot or one of the antique French containers we sell.
HOW TO PLANT PAPERWHITES FOR INDOOR DISPLAYS
1. Choose a shallow container. Fill with high quality soil, any commercially available potting soil will work well, or with pebbles at least four inches deep.
2. Plant your bulbs about 2-3 inches deep, pointy end up, close together for a beautiful display. Cover the bulbs until just the top inch and a half is above the soil, if using pebbles, the bulb should be supported by the pebbles but not buried all the way.
3. Cover with moss. {optional, I like how this looks for pots with soil, and it keeps your soil moist.} Water but don't soak.
Keep an eye on the watering, the soil should not be dry, but not soaking wet either, bulbs rot under too wet conditions.
4. Place the pot in a bright, sunny spot.
Not hot, though. I usually keep our bulbs on my kitchen counter by the farm sink, right next to the window.
Lots of light will prevent the stalks from growing too tall and floppy. Roots will appear in a week or two.
The paper whites grow quickly, and it's great fun to watch their daily progress. You'll be enjoying the pristine white flowers and fragrance in a few short weeks, just when the holidays are here.
If you are planting in an antique French container, please line the container with a plastic bag if using soil.
Some of our antique containers which work well for a paper white display:
Antique French Chateau Enameled Jardiniere
Rare Large Art Deco French Chateau Jardiniere
19th Century French Cherub Jardiniere
Antique Hand Painted Limoges Planter
DO YOU LOVE TO DECORATE YOUR HOME WITH PLANTS AND FLOWERS FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com.
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Lidy
October 30, 2017
Christi,
I hope you will try it- it’s fun, and super easy. I love when I can fill our
home with these white beauties…plus my kids always really
loved watching them grow!