Paperwhites - Easy Gift

Have you forced paperwhites before? We do them every year and they are practically fool-proof. They make such a perfect gift at this time of year- so easy, you can make them in bulk, they are unique, and inexpensive.

I buy empty quart size paint cans at Home Depot and then wrap them with cute wrapping paper. Just cut a strip and use double sided tape.
Put in some potting soil, and plant your bulbs. Keep the soil moist. I put the lids on them and keep them in the garage until they start sprouting.

Bring them inside and water.

This is after 2 weeks:

My husband hates the smell, but I love having flowers in our home in the winter. They do tend to get quite tall, but I just read that you can mix one part 70% rubbing alcohol and 10 parts water to water them with after they grow a couple inches (link). I'm planning on trying it this year to stunt their growth.

This year, I handed them out to all who came to our pie party. Plus, they are going to all my piano students families after our Christmas recital on Friday.

I started these before Thanksgiving and hope to have blooms by Christmas, but I also think if you started this now and have blooms after Christmas - good too.

PS - I was talking to Tom last night and he wanted to make sure I was portraying myself on this little blog and not some personna that really isn't me. So, in order to try and follow his council, here is my desk in all it's messy glory. Do you still love me?