Two flowers you can easily enjoy in winter
Q. Can my bulbs like amaryllis and paperwhites bloom in time for the winter holidays?
A. Forcing bulbs is not complicated and if you use the right ones, it's just about foolproof. Amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus are available almost everywhere and are easy to bloom. With some planning, you can provide color and fragrance for a good portion of winter.
• The amaryllis are easily forced into bloom. Large firm bulbs will often produce two flower stalks while the smaller ones only one.
Repot the bulb. Choose a pot about 1-inch larger than the diameter of the bulb. The bulb should be positioned so that about one-third of the bulb is above the soil line and fill the pot with prepared potting mix. Water well and place the bulb in a well-lighted area with a temperature between 65 and 70 degrees. First emerges the flower stalk. When this occurs, give the bulb plenty of light. If the plant is growing on a window sill, turn the pot daily so the stalk will grow straight.
Amaryllis is a bulb that can bloom for many seasons. Remove the faded flower stalk as soon as they finish blooming, but don't cut off the leaves. Allow the foliage to develop. Water as needed. When all danger of frost is passed, set the bulb, container and all, in the flower garden at ground level in a somewhat protected location that receives morning light. Continue to water as needed and feed it every two weeks with a soluble houseplant fertilizer. Follow the directions on the label. Gradually withhold water before freezing weather in fall.
Check for pests before bringing the plant indoors. When the foliage has died, trim it off, store the pot in a cool, dark place (40 to 50 degrees if possible). The bulb needs to rest for six weeks before you try to rebloom it.
It takes about six to eight weeks from planting to bloom. You can decide when you want the bloom to happen, then count backward to determine the planting time. During the rest period do not water it.
• Paper white narcissus is perhaps the easiest bulb to force into flower. All you need are bulbs, a shallow tray, gravel and water. Select firm bulbs. Fill a shallow tray or pot saucer with decorative gravel, pea gravel or marbles. Nestle bulbs into the gravel to hold them in place. Arrange the bulbs shoulder to shoulder. Fill the tray with water to just below the base of the bulbs. Place the tray in a well-lighted location with a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees, which will help keep the shoots short and not fall over. You will be rewarded with very fragrant blooms in about four to six weeks.
If you want continuous blooms, plant additional bulbs every two to three weeks.
- Terri Passolt
• Provided by Master Gardeners through the Master Gardener Answer Desk, Friendship Park Conservatory, Des Plaines, and University of Illinois Extension, North Cook Branch Office, Arlington Heights. Call (847) 298-3502 on Wednesdays or email northcookmg@gmail.com. Visit web.extension.illinois.edu/mg.