This is a journal of my vegetable gardens. Skippy was my first dog and he thought the garden was his, even though I did all the work. Now Suzie and Charley follow in his footsteps. We're located near Boston (USDA zone 6A). I have a community plot, a backyard vegetable garden, fruit trees, berry bushes, chickens, and bees. I use sustainable organic methods and do my best to grow all of my family's vegetables myself.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
paperwhite bulbs
I just started these bulbs my brother gave me. It takes 4-8 weeks from starting til blooming.
What bulbs are these? I have a few crocus and tulip bulbs which I forgot to plant in the fall, and they are sprouting too. Any idea if I can plant them in a pot for spring blooms? Thanks.
These are paperwhite narcissus bulbs. They are one of the best bulbs for forcing (growing in a pot inside without exposure to outdoor cold temperatures) as they do not need a cold treatmnet. Most flowering bulbs do need a cold treatment to bloom properly.
Its pretty easy to cold treat your crocus and tulips. I have often potted then up then place in the coldest location you have (attic or basement). Water occasionally to keep moist. Or put the bulbs in the refrigerator and then pot ehm up after the cold treatment.
Crocuses need 12 weeks of cold. Tuplid vary, and need 12-20 weeks.
Here is a great article I found that explains in great detail the biology of flower formation inside the tulip bulb. Its fascinating. Without the cold treatment, the flower stem will be very short, sometimes the bloom will be inside the bulb.
Hope you don't mind! I put your photo on my desktop so I can look at it and be reminded spring is just around the corner. Just found your blog and it is helping me get orgnaized for the planting season. You've reminded me to get my seeds ordered really soon! Thanks!
My husband doesn't like the smell either. But for the first few days, as I remember, they don;t smell too strong. And at least they are not hyacinths! Those are powerful!
5 comments:
What bulbs are these? I have a few crocus and tulip bulbs which I forgot to plant in the fall, and they are sprouting too. Any idea if I can plant them in a pot for spring blooms? Thanks.
These are paperwhite narcissus bulbs. They are one of the best bulbs for forcing (growing in a pot inside without exposure to outdoor cold temperatures) as they do not need a cold treatmnet. Most flowering bulbs do need a cold treatment to bloom properly.
Its pretty easy to cold treat your crocus and tulips. I have often potted then up then place in the coldest location you have (attic or basement). Water occasionally to keep moist. Or put the bulbs in the refrigerator and then pot ehm up after the cold treatment.
Crocuses need 12 weeks of cold. Tuplid vary, and need 12-20 weeks.
Here is a great article I found that explains in great detail the biology of flower formation inside the tulip bulb. Its fascinating. Without the cold treatment, the flower stem will be very short, sometimes the bloom will be inside the bulb.
Here's a how-to article on forcing bulbs.
Hope you don't mind! I put your photo on my desktop so I can look at it and be reminded spring is just around the corner. Just found your blog and it is helping me get orgnaized for the planting season. You've reminded me to get my seeds ordered really soon! Thanks!
I love paperwhites and my husband HATES the smell...I miss my paperwhites.
Great Debbie. Glad you like it.
My husband doesn't like the smell either. But for the first few days, as I remember, they don;t smell too strong. And at least they are not hyacinths! Those are powerful!
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