How to Force Paper-White Narcissus in Pots

Video Transcript

"Hi, I'm Jessica Smith and I work for Blands Nursery in West Jordan, UT. And todays series we're talking all about bulbs. Right now we're going to discuss how to force paper-whites in pots. There are two types of ways to actually force a paper-white. Most commonly done with rocks, however, right now we're going to show you how to do it with soil. Now with soil in a paper-white, you want to make sure you have drainage holes at the bottom. I just found this little metal pot that I think would be fun in the house and just poke some holes down in there with a screwdriver and hammer. Make sure though, if you're doing them, the paper-white with the soil, you have a drainage hole for the water itself. Now the way to do a paper-white in with soil is nice potting soil to begin with, good quality potting soil. And you are going to just get it in there and you don't want to fill it all the way to the top. Do not add fertilizer on a paper-white. They don't need it and it can rot out your bulbs. Paper-white in door forcing is the best thing for them. They are not a cold hardy plant so do not free them. They can take a temperature down to about 40, 50 degrees or so. And you'll just kind of put them in there. Just a little bit of soil down around the top. You're not going to cover up the noses on these. Just to help hold the bulb in place. And then you water it in. Within about six to eight weeks or so, you'll have some nice little white fragrant flowers. Just go ahead and you can start these at any time, January or so and have them clear to March."