My favourite tip for keeping paperwhites upright

How do I keep my paperwhites upright?
How do you support paperwhites?
How do you care for cheerful paperwhites?
How do you prune paperwhites?
What to do with paperwhites after flowering?
Will Paperwhites bloom a second time?
How do you keep paperwhites from getting leggy?
How long do paperwhites last?
How do you stunt paperwhites with alcohol?
What do paperwhites symbolize?
Do Paperwhite bulbs rebloom?
Why are my paperwhites turning yellow?

How do I keep my paperwhites upright?

Fortunately there's a simple trick that can prevent this from happening. When the stems reach 5 inches, add vodka to the water. Much as you might expect this treatment to make the plants tipsy, it instead burns the roots, which slows growth and prevents the stems from toppling.

How do you support paperwhites?

Paperwhites grown indoors tend to produce large flowers that are too heavy for the stems. For support, loosely tie the stems together with twine. In a garden bed, the delicate clusters of flowers give these members of the Narcissus clan a finer look than their coarser cousin, the yellow daffodil.

How do you care for cheerful paperwhites?

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Paperwhites will bloom in about two to four weeks. Once the plants begin to bloom, the floral display typically lasts one to two weeks. For longest bloom, keep the soil moist and move the pot out of direct sun.

How do you prune paperwhites?

Paperwhites are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9. Cut the flower stalks off at their bases once the blooms turn brown and die using a pair of pruning shears. Do not cut the foliage back. Plant the bulbs in a 6-inch pot with soil if they are growing in pebbles and water.

What to do with paperwhites after flowering?

When they've finished flowering, leave them in their pots for the following year, or dry them off, leaving the leaves to shrivel on the bulb, and re-pot them again late next year. I've had the same Paperwhite bulbs flowering every winter for the past 3 years.

Will Paperwhites bloom a second time?

Paperwhite bulbs will not usually flower again in their second year. Repeat this process each year until blooming occurs. It may take two or three more years for paperwhites to bloom again. After this time, you may also attempt to force the bulbs to bloom again indoors.

How do you keep paperwhites from getting leggy?

Researchers at Cornell University found they could keep paperwhites about 30% shorter than normal by watering them with a 4% to 6% alcohol solution. If you want to give it a try, you can use any “hard” liquor (not beer or wine).

How long do paperwhites last?

Place that stem in a vase with water, just as you would any cut flower. Paperwhite flowers have a long vase life, lasting up to two weeks.

How do you stunt paperwhites with alcohol?

How to Force and Stunt Your Paperwhites

Pot your paperwhites in stones and water as you normally would.
Once the roots begin growing and the green shoot on the top reaches about 1 to 2 inches, pour off the existing water.
Replace the water with a solution of 4 to 6 percent alcohol as described below.

What do paperwhites symbolize?

The narcissus is the December birth flower and symbolizes good wishes, faithfulness and respect. ... Although most narcissus flowers are spring flowers, there are several species that bloom in the winter, such as the paperwhite narcissus — making it appropriate as the birth flower for December.

Do Paperwhite bulbs rebloom?

Paperwhites are often found in homes, blooming with starry white flowers that help dispel the cobwebs of winter. ... Sometimes if you plant them outside in USDA zone 10, you may get another bloom the next year but usually paperwhite bulb reblooming will take up to three years.

Why are my paperwhites turning yellow?

Root rot is a common reason for stunted, withered, or yellow daffodil leaves. This fungal disease is more common on bulbs that have been in place for several years. This disease doesn't affect the bulbs and is usually not deadly. It is often caused by planting too deeply or in wet, poorly drained soil.