Monday, November 21, 2011

Is it too early to plant the paper whites?  Will they be past their prime by Christmas Day?  Regardless, today the spirit moved me!!!





I planted a dozen bulbs in a shallow blue bowl

and hope they will look like this....


or perhaps a little shorter if we use the alcohol treatment!

I think I mentioned the alcohol treatment before.
It is recommended following the results of a  research program
conducted by William A. Miller, Professor of Horticulture at Cornell University
and a number of his students.

Here is the gen.....
Plant the bulbs in stones and water, as usual
After a week, when the roots have started to spread,
pour off the water and replace it with a solution of 4 to 6% alcohol
made from HARD liquor (this is important)

To get a 5% solution from a 40% distilled spirit you add one part of  alcohol
to 7 parts of water, and use this solution for further watering as needed.

Moderation is the keyword, - don't increase the percentage
of alcohol above 10%!
Plants suffer from alcohol poisoning too!

Rubbing alcohol works just as well, if you can't bear to use your scotch or rum
on a bowl of bulbs, but as it is usually 70% alcohol
when bought 1 part of alcohol to 10 or 11 parts of water
is sufficient!!!!!!

I rather liked the idea of individual bulbs in glasses, on a window sill
or in front of a mirror - perhaps I will see if we can go to the plant shop tomorrow
when we go to town.....????


2 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

What an interesting idea Hildred - I have never heard of it over here.

Hildred said...

This is new to me too, Pat, - I'm still not sure if I will try it, but only have a few days to make up my mind! Short paper-whites, or lovely graceful stems, falling over, done up with Christmas ribbon....I'll keep you posted.