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Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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Posted by grant_in_arizona USDA Z9 Scottsdale, (My Page) on Mon, Nov 2, 09 at 20:07
| Hi everyone,
I'm excited--I just noticed that my paperwhite narcissus bulbs in the garden are emerging from the soil after their summer dormancy. That's a sure sign that our nicer weather has returned. Anyone else growing them outside?
Ironically, I just purchased several new paperwhite bulbs this past weekend so that I can "force" them indoors for winter. Nothing says holidays like the scent of paperwhites. I just plant them in small batches every few weeks indoors in pots and they grow and bloom quickly. When the flowers fade I snip the flowers off (leaving the leaves) and then I plant them outside in full sun (after giving them several days outside to adjust to the more intense light). Each fall afterwards they sprout in October or November and bloom in mid-late winter outside.
I'd say it's a win-win, wouldn't you? If you're growing them in your garden, or forcing them and tossing them, let us hear about them. I'm always suprised at how well they do in our climate, but they really do. Plus, when they go dormant for summer they need virtually no water.
Take care and happy gardening,
Grant
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| I planted them at my previous house (leftover from forcing) and it was lovely to have them for Thanksgiving. |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| I like 'Grand Soleil d'Or' and Chinese sacred lily, too! I think they have a nicer fragrance than most classic paperwhites (translate 'Ziva'). |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| Fun that you all grow/enjoy them too. I'll have to see what my "fancy" ones are, LOL. I actually don't like the scent of the regular, 'Ziva' classic paperwhites, but they do remind me of the holidays. I like them much more when they're in the garden as the scent disperses a bit and isn't overwhelming. Some people LOVE the scent though. They really are good landscape plants since they need no water when they're dormant. Thanks for the replies. Keep them coming anyone else growing them. Take care,
Grant |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| This week I can see the flower buds emerging from them, right on schedule. They really are fun, easy plants to grow. I'm starting a bunch inside too and I'll just plop them in the ground after their blooms fade. The ones indoors are well behind the ones outdoors since I started the indoors ones later, but it's fun to have them all popping up and looking so green and vigorous. And yes, I'll still take an occasional sniff of the blooms, even though I don't love the scent. Take care all,
Grant |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| I used to have a batch of 'Ziva' outdoors, until a neighbor yelled over the fence, "Kevin, do something about that d*** cat!!" Since I don't have a cat, I decided to replace them next fall with 'Inbal'. I don't think they smell that bad, but apparently some do. Still smelling the lilies,
Kevin : ]) |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| Hi Kevin and everyone, Very, very funny! Keep us posted on all of your paperwhite varieties and their, um, scent. Some people really do love that scent, and others aren't so fond. I find it sickeningly sweet, but yet I have associations with The Holidays. I guess I, and my neighbors, should be glad I keep the paperwhites at opposite ends of my small garden from the carrion-smelling stapeliads, LOL. My indoor "forced" ones really aren't impressing me. If they don't shape up quickly, I'm just going to toss all of the remainders out into the garden. Take care all,
Grant
annoyed at all of the gardening retail space being dedicated to poinsettias, Christmas trees, and rosemary topiaries, LOL. |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| Here is a pic of my outdoor paperwhites just prior to Thanksgiving. If you look closely you can see the buds which will probably open in a month or so. Paperwhite narcissus in my garden, just prior to Thanksgiving 2009 
As an aside, I do like the grassy-looking appearance of the foliage. Mercifully, when it decides to go dormant in late spring, it does so pretty quickly so that it's not an eyesore for long. I always let it turn brown and dry before removing to make sure the bulbs get as much nutrients from the foliage as possible. The ones outside never flop over if they're in full sun too. Plus the scent disperses at least a bit. Take care,
Grant
(link to pic is also below). |
Here is a link that might be useful: Paperwhites almost ready to bloom
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| Here are the 'Paperwhite' narcissus in full bloom, Christmas week. These are ones I "forced" indoors last winter and then planted outside in January. 
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Here is a link that might be useful: Paperwhite narcissus in bloom in my garden.
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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- Posted by antm0 Sunset Zone 13 (My Page) on
Thu, Jan 7, 10 at 13:16
| Very nice, I like the Abutilon palmeri next to it even more :) |
RE: Paperwhites! (narcissus)
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| Thanks! I like that Superstition mallow too--it's been a great performer. I'm hoping to get a lot of new seedlings this year to tuck here and there in the garden. Great plants for sure. Take care and thanks for the comments!
Grant |
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