Here's what I got...
the bulbs,
a dirt pellet,
a cute container
and instructions.
becoming "growing medium."
As you can see, they're TALL
and they're going to fall over any minute now.
I have a stack of magazines that go back to October issues. I haven't had time to read my magazines since the beginning of October, but there's no way I'm throwing them out until I've read every last page and clipped all the articles and ideas that seem worth saving.
So I've been working on my Good Things Book.
in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine.
"Paperwhites are a favorite for the season --
until they grow too tall and flop to one side.
To rein them in, root the bulbs in gravel
with a solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol
and 10 parts water.
They'll stop growing at about two-thirds their usual height."
In other words, next year I'm doing it Martha's way.
My sweet paperwhites aren't going to look so slick
when they fall over. Sigh...
Note: Guess who recently started her own personal blog?
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23 comments:
As long as I've gardened and raised houseplants I've never seen that tip. I wonder if the bulbs can be planted in your yard after they wither, or if the alcohol kills them?
I've never tried to force paperwhites but I do have some that bloom every Spring in my yard and they smell heavenly! The scent fills my front yard and drifts on the breeze and there's just a few of them!
Hope all is well with you and yours, Barb. ;o)
Love and hugs,
Diane
Those are my kind of flowers Barb - instantaneous!! They did get a bit carried away, but leave it to Martha to have a solution for you.
I, too, hope all is well there Barb.
When I was working full time I got 4 magazine subscriptions. When I stopped working in May I cut to two. And I have a huge stack going all the way back to last spring that I have not even looked at.
Seems crafting, sewing, knitting, cooking, keeping up with the house, take up more time than working full time.
Go figure!
Mine are barely peeking out of the outer wrapper God put on them, we just dont get enough sun here to get them do much. Next house will have some south facing windows! And maybe they'll come through yet - yours are lovely.
I have no magazine subscriptions and I miss them, now I think I need to go get some LOL
The paperwhites are beautiful Barb but I think they would die in my house before even coming out of the bulb, I'm just really not plant friendly LOL
hey there super mom! i'm really sorry you have been losing sleep because of the package. i finally got the notice from the post office and i'll get the package next week. don't worry. i'll still be able to use these beautiful ornaments this coming christmas 2008. i'll keep them in the mean time.
i love your plant. i have two indoor plants at our unit and i plan to have more. this paperwhites really look neat. i'll try to look for it in the mall and see if they're available. hope i'll find one. =D
have a blessed new year! (((HUGS)))
I should have gotten these this year. They would have added a little spring in my house. That would have been nice.
Love the paperwhites! I am not good with plants AT ALL, but these look wonderful. I currently have one plant out on my front patio, and I can barely keep it living. Wow, pretty cool that Martha has her own blog! Do you think you will be her new BFF? You never know...
The Paper Whites are so lovely! Check out this post of mine for ways to help your flowers to stand up for awhile longer.... I hope it works for you. http://theopenwindow1.blogspot.com/2007/05/wfmw-plant-flower-clips.html
We've done Amarylis here in the past, but have never tried the Paper Whites. Maybe we'll try those next year!
I recently saw a "Pumpkin Garden in Can" at my grocery store, and I'm dying to try those as well! I wonder if they were on sale because it's too late to plant pumpkins...I'm going to have to check it out anyway. I just love the thought of growing pumpkins in a cute little can!
They are pretty! Be sure to let us know if Martha's idea works.
If they get too tall, just cut them and put them in a vase to enjoy. I do that all the time!
How does Martha know all those things???? Pretty creepy, if you ask me. But still...I read and try to imitate in my own way. :)
Im not a gardener but would happen if you stacked them as you would tomato plants????
they certainly grow fast
Jen
The paperwhites still look great, I just cocked my head to the side and the tilt went right away! It was neat to look back over your Good Things Book and see a clippig on "forcing spring bulbs"
I've never even heard of paperwhites ! They are beautiful !!
Hi, Barb. The only reason I get to be in the OR is that there are two of them! One of us has to go to the NICU with the firstborn and the other has to stay with Kristen.
No shopping going on yet - they're pretty much clothesless. They'll probably be in the hospital for several weeks in lovely hospital garb!
I have about 500 diapers that I've bought every Saturday since I found out about them, but most of them are Newborn, some Size 1. What we need is Preemies. They aren't sold at the grocery store, so have to get to Wal-Mart to get them. As you know, that's not my favorite place, so I seem to avoid it. Love the prices, hate the crowds!
Great, great tip! I didn't realize how easy it was to grow these until my MOPS group did this several years ago. They're so pretty and cheery...
paperwhites are strangley SO wintery..arent they? :) Glad you figured out the cookie recipe...I've always used half shortening...just cause butter was so expensive...and then more flour jsut becasue teh dough seemed too sticky...whoda thunk...lol
Your look delish!
here's to a very Happy new Year for you and your family!
Good Evening Barb,
I love your Paper Whites. They have really grown. I think they are beautiful. That is my kind of flower to plant. LOL. I used to have alot of houseplants back in the 80's and I kept them up well. Then I moved and well they died on me. I haven't messed with plants in a long time. Maybe I can start back this Spring. "THANK YOU" for sharing your beautiful Paper Whites with us. Where did you buy them at? Take care my friend and have a great evening. May God Bless You and Yours.
Hugs,
Karen H.
That's a neat trick, Barb. I had never heard about growing them in alcohol and water. But, they do look better with their stems shorter.
I've never heard of those before, but that's very cool!
Well What a great tip re the paper whites.. The one and only time I planted them they were so floppy I ended up cutting them off and making a fresh arrangement out of them,,,, I will definitely try them again using this method
((((hugs))))
Maggie in mild ontario canada
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