How to force paperwhite flowers #Flowers

Paper whites are the original “Just Add Water” plant. While paperwhite bulbs can be planted in soil, more commonly they are grown in pots or dishes with some stones or marbles to anchor them in place and a little water.

1. Select a container that is about 3 - 4 inches deep (8 - 10 cm) and that has no drainage holes.
2. Spread an inch or 2 of stones, marbles or even gravel, along the bottom of the container.
3. Position your paper white bulbs, pointed end up, on top of the stone layer. Go ahead and squeeze them in. They not only look better in a large group, the tight fit will help keep them from toppling over.
4. Add another layer of stones to fill in any gaps and cover the bulbs up to their shoulders. The pointed tips should still be showing.
5. Add water so that the level just reaches the base of the bulbs. Allowing the bottom of the bulb to sit in water will stimulate growth. Covering the entire bulb with water could cause it to rot.
6. The bulbs don’t need light at this point and they prefer to be kept on the cool side, at about 65 degrees F (18 degrees C.)
7. Check your bulbs daily to see if they need more water.
8. When you see roots developing, move the container to a sunny window. The sunnier the better, but try not to let them get too warm or they’ll grow leggy.
9. Once the plants flower, they will last longer if moved out of direct sunlight, to a cool spot with indirect or diffused light.