Each year I receive paperwhites as a Christmas gift. Once the seasonal decorations are packed away, I begin forcing the bulbs. It's always so much fun because it's easy and the results are rewarding! When I was "playing school", I used to take some of them to my classroom. We lined them up in our windowsill and the children always marveled at the process. We would observe them, make predictions, measure their daily growth to record in our science journal, observe their root growth (since we suspended the bulbs in water in clear glass containers) and then await the explosion of blossoms. Before they could even put away their bookbags and hang up their coats each morning, they'd make a beeline to the windowsill to inspect our project. Once the paperwhites did bloom, we would make conclusions and write a paragraph on our experience. It was a lot of fun!
Paperwhites (in the narcissus family) are simple to force as they don't require a cold snap to promote growth/blossoming. They begin rooting almost immediately and can be placed in water or peat moss mix. Guess what began blooming earlier this week at our house?
I love their delicate little clusters of yellow-throated white flowers and although they are fragrant, I'd classify it as an almost antiseptic smell! It's not offensive, though. They're a nice little pick-me-up for a gray, winter day!
Happy Friday! Have a good weekend!