Here are the growing tips:
1-Buy fattest and biggest bulb possible. Try to get those having baby bulb-lets attached. Buy as early as possible. Plant them on regular intervals so that supply of flowers is continuous in spring.
2- Bury them till the neck. Their roots need depth and very vigorous, i find 10 inches pot not enough for their long roots.
3- Narcissus here love the semi shade so full sun and shade both will do the job
4- Water just once after planting and NOT after that until you see some top growth. Remember less watering is the key to flowering for paper whites. They are very tough and do not mind drought for a long period. More water will promote foliage but no flowers.
5- You can give light liquid fertilizer or little cow dung manure but if you don't, they won't mind.
6-Do not worry if the bulbs pushes itself upwards because of roots growth. Mine did that a lot. Again, do not tempt to water seeing them coming upwards.
And this was the progress after 1.5 months. They should be flowering right now and i will share the pics as soon as they appear. There are some barren areas in my soil bed and i put these bulbs over there as only they will survive there. You can see the baby bulbs also growing with parent ones. You can save bulbs for next season when flowers are over.

And this is how they look pure white and fragrant blooms.

10 comments:
I have not been succesful in growing narcisus and their bulbs are not easily available here. How I wish I can grow them as they are vey auspicious for our Chinese New Year celebrtions. Wishing you a Happy New Year 2010 and Happy Holidays!
Happy New Year 2010! :)
I have some sitting in my fridge since last Christmas, got them as a gift from the UK. I must remember to plant them out. Have yours ever flowered? They look very healthy. A Happy Healthy and Peaceful New Year to you and your family.
Love your directions for narcissus. Can't wait to see the blooms.
I'm envious. Your plant grew so much in so short a period. Sigh. Lucky guy!
paperwhites are definately my favorite flowering bulbs specially that here the climate is mostly warm.. thanks for the inspiring pics!
I planted some bulbs in beds and they followed the exact steps that you have mentioned, this is end of march in Lahore but i am still not able to get the flowers, can you advise.
They flower in January in lahore you must have planted them late. Sometimes the bulbs are of poor quality and they do not have flower bud inside them so they do not bloom.
Can you please share the time, when to sow and when to expect the blooms, not just for narcissus but also hyacinth lilies etc,the shops in Lahore are as yet(in november) not selling most of the bulbs, Thanks
Only paperwhite and freesia can be planted in october. Remaining bulbs should be planted around November 15. It is better to plant later than early specially for cool climate bulbs like hyacinth, lilies etc.
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