How to grow Paperwhites, Part 2.
After a week of sitting happily on my windowsill, work top, kitchen shelf, the little bulby beauties have sprouted about 2 inches of growth, perfect.
Now it’s time to get them drunk! Wahoooo-Party!!!
Too much is booze bad, an apt christmas message 🙂 and too little won’t stunt their growth……
Somewhere in the middle…plenty of flowers, but minimal foliage is what we’re aiming for. Palinka (hungarian brandy) is my tipple of choice, but you can use any spirit, so long as it not beer or cider- too much yeast isn’t good.
So, firstly mix up some booze and water to make a 5% Alcohol….. sounds complicated? Just follow the table below….
Diluting Alcohol for Watering bulbs.
10% Alcohol = 1 Part Water to 1 Part Alcohol
15% Alcohol = 2 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
l 20% Alcohol = 3 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
25% Alcohol = 4 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
30% Alcohol = 5 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
35% Alcohol = 6 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
40% Alcohol = 7 Parts Water to 1 Part Alcohol
Or if you love a bit of maths…..
Divide the percentage alcohol by 5 and then subtract 1. This will give you how many parts water to mix with your 1 part alcohol.
40 divided by 5 = 8: 8 minus 1 = 7… 7 parts water to 1 part alcohol.
Yep, following the table is loads easier and doesn’t hurt your head.
Once mixed up, label it…… last year, Mum’s grandkids accidently took the waterbottle with her 5% mix to school- bad granny!!!!!
Pour out the normal water, then refill plant pots with the cunning alcoholic concoction. Use this liquid to water them regularly. Some of the roots have gone crazy, so I’ve tried repotting them….. think I didn’t plant the bulbs deep enough!
Will post again nxt wk, with more paperwhite pics- I’m getting quite attached to them……
Bxx
For all this info in a more sciency format, check out this link….
http://www.hort.cornell.edu/miller/bulb/Pickling_your_Paperwhites.pdf
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