Comments on: Forcing Paperwhites

By: emma rey

emma rey — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:30:32 +0000

I live in zone 5 and we plant paperwhites here in the fall. They love to naturalize and I have many of them over the years and very long lived.
I also have planted in the ground paperwhites that have been forced to have them return year after year.

Hi Emma
Thanks for the info. I’ve always heard that they are hardy in zones 8 and higher so I never tried to save or plant them. There must be a hardier variety available.

By: Donna Hughes

Donna Hughes — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:46:04 +0000

I bought paperwhite bulbs for the first time, planted them in several different containers, and enjoyed watching their fast growth and pretty flowers. I am now wondering what to do with them. I live in Zone 7, on a mountaintop in N.C. (3,000 feet elevation). I would like to plant them outside, but it may be too cold. If so, what do I do with them if I keep them indoors? I read that I’m supposed to leave the leaves alone until they turn yellow and wilt–then I guess I cut them off. What next?? Thanks for your help.

HI Donna
Once paperwhites are forced they cannot be forced again in a pot indoors. A lot of energy is used during forcing process and the bulbs cannot recoup enough nutrients to bloom again. They are usually tossed into the compost pile after forcing. The bulbs are hardy in zone 8. You may be able to grow them outdoors in zone 7 and see if they survive over the winter. If you plan on growing them outdoors, let the foliage yellow and die back or if the soil is workable plant bulb and foliage in the ground. With climate change you might luck out and get flowers next year.

By: elb wise

elb wise — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:36:15 +0000

After the paperwhite blooms and the flower dies there are little green like seeds left where the flower blossems were. Can these be planted?

According to an Ill. Extension advisor, the seed pods (once they are ripe) can be planted to produce new plants. Wait till they turn tan/brown and then take the seeds out and plant them immediately . Germination will take 28-56 days. It will take 3-5 years to produce a blooming size bulb and if the bulb is a hybrid your new plant will not be the same as the parent plant. Paperwhites are not hardy in cooler climates so they should be grown in frost free areas.

By: cassandra stepp

cassandra stepp — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 22:06:44 +0000

i just purchased 2 paperwhite bulbs yesterday for the first time, and it looks like they have bugs, is this normal for them and what can i do about the bugs

Where are the bugs in the bulbs or on the leaves? If in the bulb, it’s possible that they may be thrips-tiny cream colored worms.