Bulbs - Paperwhite Narcissus
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  (February) I received a pot of blooming paper white narcissus. Would you let me know how I should take care of them indoors? 

  Paper white narcissus bulbs can be planted in soil or rocks. They are usually in bloom within six to eight weeks of planting. All they need is light and water to grow. Paper white narcissus are a wonderful way to add indoor color , but I never mess with them after bloom. I just add them to the compost pile. You can save them to plant outdoors, but there is a problem. Paper whites are the only "spring" bulb that do not require a chilling process. They will begin to grow again in early fall, and then try to bloom outside. The first frost usually zaps them. So enjoy them while they last, and then toss them.

  I was given beautiful paperwhite narcissus for the holidays, but have no idea how to perpetuate the bulbs. To this point, I have left them in the pot, allowing the foliage to die down. This has happened. They had indirect light at best. Did they need brighter light or extra water? If so, have I already done them in? If not, what can I expect from them next year? 

  It would have been best to have given them bright sunlight during their growing period after bloom, and possibly even some water soluble fertilizer. The six to eight week green growing period after bloom is when bulbs replenish themselves for flowering the next season. If they did not get enough light or nutrition, they may not have set flowers for another season. Often, after bulbs are forced, they don’t bloom again as well anyway. Paperwhites are one of the few spring blooming bulbs, that don’t require a pre-chilling to bloom. If you want to try for a flower, store the bulbs in a cool, dry place until fall and then pot them up and water and see what happens. You will probably have better results with fresh bulbs.

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