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christinmk

Forcing Bulbs-help ASAP

Hi! I hope this is an appropriate forum to post this question on. A few months ago I bought a couple of Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs. A few weeks ago I "planted" them in a glass bowl full of smooth, ornamental pea-gravel (I saw this in a mag). I filled the water up so it was just skimming the bottom of the bulbs. They have grown really quickly. But I noticed that that some white fuzz is starting to develope around the roots. Is this normal? I always thought mold was gray or green, so im not sure if thats what this is. Would it be better to plop them in a pot of soil? Please advise. Thank you!

PS. (While im at it) how should the bulbs be stored after blooming?

CMK

Comments (5)

  • 18 years ago

    This is indeed the right forum for the qustion since it focuses on bulbs!

    Yep. You have some mould. It comes in many colours, but what you can do is carefully pour the water out or use a baster and remove a lot of it. Refresh the water with new; and I hate to tell you this, but forcing in water usually brings these problems sooner or later. You can add a bit of horticultural charcoal to help keep the water sweet if you decide you like this method. Keeping them in a cooler room helps, too. In addition, water-forced bulbs rarely are good after this method, because they get no nutrients at all; unlike their relatives who get a soil forcing. I sometimes force in water just for the look if I have pretty forcing glasses, but most of the time I pot them. You can feed potted bulbs and then sometimes get flowers the following year. Most of the time you have to wait for about two years before seeing new bloom, however. Putting them in the garden helps rebuild them. It takes such a lot out of them to be forced, that water offers them nothing in return for their efforts.

    Many people just throw their bulbs away and get new ones. If you decide you like to water force them, then this is the way to go. You would want to buy cheaper bulbs if you use this method. But if you want to try to keep them, force them in soil each year.

  • 18 years ago

    Thanks hopflower! This is great information! I think I may just pot them up in soil, that may be easier on the delicate roots than trying to replant them in the gravel and clean water. The water is starting to smell a bit, so im not sure I want to have it sitting around during the holidays, lol. Thanks again!
    CMK

  • 18 years ago

    My mom taught me how to plant paperwhites. I store them in soil in the basement in the dark and then plant them every few weeks. I like to keep color going all winter. Keep them in a cool bright window. They hate heat.

    Here is a link that might be useful: How to Plant Paperwhite Bulbs

  • 18 years ago

    Yes, you certainly can stagger them in planting times to keep the flowrs available all season.

  • 18 years ago

    Christi, the alternative way to what you did is to use vermiculite as a medium.
    Thoroughly saturate the vermiculite and gently squeeze out the excess moisture and place the vermiculite loosely in the container.
    Set the bulbs in place and partially cover them, leaving about three fourths of each bulb visible.
    The vermiculite should be kept evenly moist throughout the forcing period.

    Tender narcissus are best kept in a cool 50º - 60º spot in low light until they are well-rooted and the shoots begin to appear. (usually about two to three weeks)
    They then are brought out to direct sunlight to begin the flowering process...and when developed, taken back into lower light.

    After blooming, make them acquainted with the compost pile--they cannot bloom ever again.

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