November 5th, 2023
Start your Amaryllis and Paperwhite bulbs now for beautiful Christmas blooms! Both plants offer stunning flowering blooms, adding colour and Holiday cheer during the long winter months that are quickly approaching. Keep reading for information on how to best grow Amaryllis and Paperwhites from bulbs at this time of year.
Hyacinths are and other bulbs very easy to force bloom indoors with a forcing vase (used since Victorian times) or some rocks and a shallow dish. Place your bulbs where are sitting out of the water and only the roots are able to touch the water. If the bulb sits in the water it will rot.
When you are forcing a bulb you are tricking the bulbs into believing winter is over and it’s time to bloom! Some types of bulbs need a fake “winter” period where they are chilled inside your house. A cool but not freezing spot for four to eight weeks then can be brought into the warm to bloom! The best way to chill your bulbs is by placing them outside or in an unheated garage.
Once the bulbs have rooted they can be brought into the house and bring them to a bright window for them to bloom!
Bulbs that can be forced: Amaryllis, Paperwhites (both require no chilling time), Hyacinths, Snowdrops, and Tulips.
Click here for our PDF guide to forcing bulbs in water.
Below we have more information on paperwhites and amaryllis!
Bulb Forcing
Paperwhites
Paperwhites are a type of easy-to-grow Daffodil (also known as Narcissus). Paperwhites grow and bloom indoors very easily. They require little care but reward you with a long period of fragrant indoor flowers. They look great near an entranceway to greet your guests or in your living/dining room to add a sweet fragrance.
Paperwhites prefer well-drained soil but can grow just as well in rocks with water. To grow paperwhites in soil, find a suitable pot and plant the bulb so that the top third of the bulb is visible above the soil. Water them until the soil is evenly moist.
To grow paperwhites in water, place an inch or two of rocks or glass beads in the bottom of a vase. Place the bulbs on top of the rocks and fill the vase with water until it touches the base of the bulb. Place the pot or vase in a bright sunny window to encourage the bulbs to grow! Regularly check the pot or vase, adding water as needed.
It is best if you plant the bulbs in the soil or rocks and place them in a cool room for 2 to 3 weeks to let them develop roots. Wait another 4 to 6 weeks for the Paperwhites to bloom just in time for the holiday season!
Amaryllis
Of the many flowering bulbs, Amaryllis are one of the easiest to bring to bloom. These large bulbs provide you with weeks of colour through the holiday season, often blooming well into January. They can produce multiple flower stems with 3 to 6 blooms per stem.
Amaryllis normally take about 6 to 8 weeks from the time you plant them until they bloom. If you have a shorter time frame, however, you can grow several special varieties that will bloom in 4 to 6 weeks. Please remember that Amaryllis bulbs may not bloom if they are in too large of a pot.
CLICK HERE to learn more about growing Amaryllis and Paperwhite bulbs indoors at this time of year (also known as bulb ‘forcing’)
P.S. – we’ll let you in on a secret Hunters Garden Centre tip… For a continuous display, start a few bulbs at 2-week intervals so there will be new blooms starting as one finishes!
Visit us in-store to browse from a wide range of high-quality Amaryllis and Paperwhite bulbs… Christmas is around the corner!
