Sunday, December 23, 2007

Santa's surprise

We must have been a good childrenl because when we got home from birding today my DB found a bag hanging on the back door knob. Santa's helper didn't leave a calling card so I am not sure who did this but I would like to thank them kindly.



In the bag was this box of Paperwhites, a pot to plant them in and some of what they called planting medium.

Now this planting medium was some weird stuff. It was a hard dry pellet. When I placed water on it it swelled up to nearly fill the planting pot. Almost like magic. I followed directions, yes I can read, and voile I have a pot of bulbs that actually look like they want to grow. Each bulb had a bit of a pale green shoot coming from it. I have always wanted to try this but have never taken the time or effort to do it. Now will be that time. I have had a bulb forcer vase for many years. It is now being used for what it was intended. I will keep you up to date with what happens with these bulbs.



Has anyone else done this before with one of these kits? I know some of you are forcing some bulbs but I don't know if you are using a kit???


13 comments:

  1. Lisa: First, love your tree and decorations and next, no, I have not used a kit but love that green glass forcing vase! You and yours have a wonderful Christmas!

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  2. I was given one many years ago! Was fun for sure till one of my cats got into it! But still flowered that year! Hope you have fun with it!

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  3. What a nice surprise! I hope you have success with it. You obviously know what you are doing.

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  4. What a great gift from a green-thumbed Santa.

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  5. Wow, what a nice thing to find: a surprise, something to plant, and something to anticipate as well. I too enjoy potting up bulbs, but then I usually end up giving them away, so I don't think I've ever had any of my own to watch. Hmmm...I need to fix that next year. Enjoy your bulbs and have a great holiday, Lisa!

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  6. What a lovely surprise!
    Wishing you a Very Merry Christmas Lisa.

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  7. What a wonderful surprise to come home to! These are really easy to deal with; the best way to prolong blooms is to put them where it's not too hot, once they are getting ready to flower. I don't have any this year...
    Merry Christmas, Lisa, across the miles (and I love your tree ornaments, too!)

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  8. LOL... my dad got an Amyrillis one year, and it was already in the medium. After some time, all he noticed was a rise in the soil as if it were getting ready to erupt, and the hump kept getting larger and larger with no sign of the plant. After some time he realized that the bulb had somehow turned upside down and the plant was growing towards the bottom of the pot...lol.

    Looking forward to your photos of the pretty Paperwhites!

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  9. I'm like you... have wanted to try this for years but never have. I love the glass hyacinth vase you have, though--that's a gorgeous shade of green!

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  10. I, too, have wanted but never tried these. I might have to try to find some to start. In the mean time, I will have fun watching yours.

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  11. I have just started mine too! (also a gift)...only my vase is clear...so far it is just sitting there on the edge of the kitchen sink (I find I need to check the water level frequently, and that is the best place to keep an eye on it!)

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  12. I haven't used a kit, but we planted quite a few pots of bulbs to force. Anticipating the late winter, or early spring color is fun, isn't it? I planted enough so that I'll be able to provide some pretty flowers for church when nothing much else is available. We have hyacinths, tulips and muscari (grape hyacinths).
    What a lovely present that was. I hope you're able to discover the gift giver :)

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