Thursday, December 16, 2010

It's Time To Cool Things Down

Only in the world of my Ziva Paperwhite Narcissus!  As you can see they have started to bloom and certainly won't be pretty on Christmas Day.

Ziva is very fragrant and floriforus

I will have to cool them off if I want them to last through the holidays.  My plan was to put them in my attached garage where there are windows that let in some light.  However, it has been down in the single digits!

Out of the three small pots only the middle one is a little behind the other two.


It is time to insert some branches to keep them upright.  I did find out that these are sprayed birch branches, thinner than the Red Twig Dogwood.  I did find these at Home Depot but I have also seen them at some of the garden centers.


The larger container (with the eleven bulbs) is a little slower so I will probably keep this one inside a while longer.

The branches can be trimmed down to a lower height.  The flower stems are pretty flexible and can be gently wrapped around the thin branches.

I do have a storage area in my basement that is above freezing, but if I put them in there I will have to leave the lights on!

24 comments:

Lona said...

Oh, they are so pretty Eileen. I need to steal your twig idea for my Amaryllis plants or get deeper bowls for them. They want to flop on me. Your dinning room looks so pretty decorated for the Holidays. It is snowing like crazy here this morning. I have swept 5 inches so far and I am hoping it is waning down.
Wishing you and yours a Wonderful Christmas.

Unknown said...

wow..........beautiful

Balisha said...

Love your idea of the red branches. My amaryllis is growing so fast. I hope that it waits for Christmas to bloom. I'm saving the paperwhites for after Christmas.
Balisha

Diana LaMarre said...

I am really admiring your dining room furniture that I can see through those paperwhites. What a great spot to have a Christmas meal.

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Zoey

I need to get busy today if we are going to have that meal, still lots to do.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Lona, I think my amaryllis are gone, maybe I should look for some amaryllis stems to put in water. I hear they last longer than the plants.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Hi Balisha,

The twigs do work and you can also use some thin ribbon with them.

Eileen

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful Eileen. We bought ours from our florist. They bloomed too soon. We are going to try growing them next year.
Thanks so much for the twig idea!

Happy Holidays!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Pat, I have mine out in the garage right now to slow them down. Hopefully, I won't kill them.

Eileen

Jennifer@threedogsinagarden said...

Paperwhites are so pretty and wonderfully fragrant. I have been searching the stores to find some to no avail. I appreciate being able to enjoy yours! I love the decorations on your dining room sideboard by the way. Have a great weekend Eileen.

Jim Groble said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. jim and pat

Karen said...

Eileen, simply beautiful, how wonderful to see these blooms at this time of year. I have got to try this next season!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Jennifer, the paperwhites are very reasonable online from Scheepers or other online seed companies. The florists do have them but very pricey.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks Jim, happy holidays to you and yours.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Karen, they are very inexpensive if you buy the online like from John Scheepers or VanEngelen.

Eileen

Tootsie said...

they are wonderful!!!! I am sorry they are a bit early...but still!!! I don't have any of those going on here...and I am hosting a Christmas dinner tomorrow!!!! Maybe they should have been mine! lol
I hope you are safe, happy and warm this holiday season my dear friend...Merry Christas!

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Merry Christmas to you also Tootsie.

Eileen

Reading Tea Leaves said...

Your paperwhites really are reaching for the sky Eileen! Perhaps the basement is the answer for a short time. I love the way you have placed the little twigs in between, I will be copying this idea:-)))

Jeanne
x

Marlis said...

Yours are much further along than mine.. mine might be ready by mmmm let's say January teenth?? They are lovely.. Merry Christmas!

Lynn said...

The paperwhites are beautiful! I love growing them too-enjoy:@)

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Jeanne, the paperwhites do get very tall and floppy. The smell is so lovely, or I would probably reconsider growing them.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Marlis, mine grew almost too fast. THey are near a heat vent, could be the reason.

Eileen

Gatsbys Gardens said...

Thanks for visiting Happier ---
I am now trying to slow them down.

Eileen

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

It looks so pretty all decorated in your home. I love the twigs with the Paperwhites, I will be remembering that for next year. I bet it smells delicious in your home!