Forcing PaperWhites Indoors...

When we take our annual trip to Longwood Gardens at Christmas time, 

I always try to buy their new calendar and my paperwhite bulbs.

I enjoy seeing new, seasonal pictures from Longwood Gardens at the start of each month,

and when my paperwhites bloom,

 they somehow feel more delightful because they came from our special trip.

I use this large pot/bowl each year...

space the bulbs and fill the open area with rocks, no dirt is needed.

Add enough water to come within 3/4 to the top of the stones.

I usually plant the bulbs in January and they have shorter sprouts.

       But these are fine and the bulbs were very healthy.     

I store the bulbs in a paper bag, in the garage, after I buy them but before planting them.

 

All done, I place them in a sunny location.

As they relax and root, they will straighten out.

Here they are today, 

I planted them on January 28th and just 9 days later they have grown to look like this.

I have a small indoor garden, just enough plants, that need only a little care.

My Thanksgiving/Christmas/whatever cactus continues to blooms.

I have scallions growing behind it.

I thought my orchid was dead, gone...time for the trash when I noticed 2 new shoots on it.

So it will be interesting to see what it does!

It's raining, we only got four snowflakes...yes, you read that right FOUR flakes!