How to Keep Your Paperwhites From Falling Over By Giving Them Alcohol

One of the most annoying things about growing paperwhite narcissus bulbs is their tendency to grow long skinny flower stalks that fall over just as the flowers are opening.

Many old time gardeners know that if you give them an alcohol solution,paperwhites will grow short,stout stems that won't fall over. The problem is that word of mouth often gets the proportions of alcohol to water wrong. If you add too little there won't be any effect. Add too much and you'll kill your bulbs before you ever see a flower.

This article will show you the right way to feed your paperwhites alcohol so they grow short without falling over. No staking will be required.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs
• A Clear,Shallow Container
• Pebbles,Stones,or Marbles
• Gin,Vodka,or Isopropyl Alcohol

1. Fill your bowl with the marbles,stones,or pebbles. You can use soil but it will be more difficult to manage the water levels.

2. Make small depressions in the pebbles and set your paperwhite bulbs firmly into the planting medium with the rounded ends down. Leave the growing points uncovered. You don't need to totally cover the bulbs.

3. Add just enough water to the bowl so that it barely reaches the bottoms of the paperwhite bulbs. It's very important not to over water. You want to give them just enough water so the roots will have some moisture to grow toward.

4. Keep the bowl in a cool (but not freezing), dark place until you see that the roots are growing and green shoots are emerging.

5. Empty the water from the bowl and replace it with a solution of one part grain alcohol to seven parts water. This is the drink you will give them whenever they are thirsty. Don't let the dry out.

6. Put your paperwhites in a sunny window. They should bloom in two or three weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• This method of growing paperwhite narcissus bulbs is also called The Pickling Method.
• You can use any type of 80 proof liquor to feed your paperwhite bulbs. Clear alcohol such as gin,vodka or everclear will make a more pleasant smelling solution than a dark liquor.
• If you'd rather use isopropyl,or rubbing alcohol for this method, the rate of dilution is one part alcohol to ten parts water.
• Cornell University did a study of this method to test its effectiveness. The study concluded that using alcohol does indeed make the flower stems shorter without reducing the number of flowers.
• Paperwhite bulbs and alcohol are poisonous to children and pets!
• Do not use beer or wine for the Pickling Method. This will kill your paperwhite bulbs!

Resources

• Paperwhite Narcissus Bulbs
• All About Daffodils Blog

[prism]

on 3/2/2009 The horticulture dept at Cornell University did a study of this. Great instructions, Tyla! Thanks! I will have to try this the next time.

[jenng]

on 2/27/2009 Great tip mine always fall over thanks 5* and recommended

[nurseryguy]

on 2/4/2009 I have a degree in Horticulture and I own a nursery and I have never heard of this. I am always learning something new. Great site on daffodils by the way. 5*

[Rockney]

on 1/31/2009 Great advice! 5*!

[kerrylf]

on 1/29/2009 Thanks.