Comments on: Bulbs for Winter Cheer

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:40:43 +0000

Barbara, you should have a parade of beautiful flowers as each of those blooms.
I hadn’t heard of the tradition of starting the cut twigs on December 4th, Barbara Day. When I lived in a different zone, I used to bring forsythia twig in during late winter to bloom.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:42:39 +0000

Me too, I’m forcing Spring bulbs like miniature daffodils, narcissus and hyacinths in winter time. Another way of getting “blooms” in my rooms is pruning twigs of forsythias, cherry and apple trees etc. and put them into water and keep them in a warm and bright place. (it’s custom here to start this around 4th of December, on the Barbara Day. Perhaps you know this tradition).

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 00:42:33 +0000

Jan, I love the little miniature daffodil blooms on the paperwhites. Each bud opens to a delightful mini-bouquet.There are about 6 more ready to open, not bad for 3 bulbs.

By: Jan(ThanksFor2Day)

Jan(ThanksFor2Day) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:44:25 +0000

Well, I just stopped by to see what’s new…and I was reminded that I need to post those photos of my paperwhites. They are really starting to open up now. I love them–yes, it is truly gratifying to watch them pop up and bloom! I need to go out and get some more;)

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:53:29 +0000

Philip, I like them in the glass vase too. You get the underground view, as well as the green side. I’ve enjoyed watching them, and if the ground outside wasn’t deeply frozen, I’d be planting some more bulbs outside too. I have a strong urge to plant some more little brown lumps, and see them transform into things of beauty.

By: Philip Bewley

Philip Bewley — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:31:48 +0000

I love paperwhites but have not done them this year. It is not too late!
Thank you for the reminder. I look forward to seeing how yours comes out. Your glass jar is the perfect thing.
All the best,
Philip

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:26:44 +0000

Easygardener, some bulb foliage does get elongated, and prone to being floppy indoors. I’ve seen research where they put a small concentration of alcohol in the water for bulbs that were being forced, and it kept them shorter. However, I’ve never tried it, and my bulbs are completely sober. I’ve also heard that keeping it cool after they first start growing, helps keep them from getting too stretched.

Barbara, Amaryllis seem to be a very popular bulb for forcing. The bright colours enliven the house in winter.
Watching the quick growth of paperwhites is fun.

Gail, I didn’t realize how many cats like to taste the foliage, until I started reading the comments on this post. It seems they’re not entirely carnivorous. Large, showy flowers do test a plant’s balance. Was the cat sitting across the room from the toppled plant looking innocent? :)

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:07:38 +0000

Northern Shade,

I never have, especially with this plant nibbling cat! But I brought home an amaryllis and it toppled over it was so top heavy! gail

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:03:24 +0000

Enjoying Amaryllis at the moment. Really does give us hope seeing bits of green and lovely blossoms.

By: easygardener

easygardener — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:45:47 +0000

I’ve never been good at growing bulbs indoors – I get tall lanky foliage and not many flowers. I know it’s my own incompetence so I’ve decided my bulbs are safer outdoors. Luckily our winters are short and relatively snow free so I don’t feel too deprived!