Since I don't have to be out there shoveling snow like some of you I have been inside doing a little gardening. My dear Beeg Seester brought me a Paperwhite Bulb Kit as a hostess gift at Thanksgiving. I was thrilled to have received it because I haven't bought one bulb this fall. Please don't tell the Gardening Police about this.
This kit had one of those coc fiber disks in it. I had never used one before. It said to put it into the pot and add water. Well, I couldn't hardly believe that the little ole disk would fill the 7"tall pot. Was I wrong. I added water and that thing came alive. It swelled to the proper level for me to plant the bulbs.
There were four bulbs in the kit. I placed 3 into the tall pot. The only thing I don't like about this beautiful silver pot is that I can't see if it needs water. Hmmmmm I wonder if the coco fiber will shrink if it gets dry. Or how I will know when to water. Have any of you used this medium before?
I wanted to save one of the bulbs to place on the one and only bulb forcing vase that I have. You can see when there needs to be water added to this.
I did this just a few days ago and I am telling you, these bulbs were just awaiting a fighting chance. This one has already sent down a few roots into the water. The tip that sprouted up is starting to turn green.
The bulbs in the big vase with the coco fiber are doing remarkably well too. As you can see one of them is getting several new little green shoots.
All three of the bulbs are showing a little green color. It is wonderous to me that the little fellows just wanted some light and water. Bulbs are amazing.
I want to thank my Beeg Seester for bringing me this collection of bulbs in a kit. It will be great fun to watch them grow and eventually bloom.
Well that Beeg Seester is one swell chick, Lisa. She knew just what to get for you, something to keep your fingers green while you wait for spring. The bulbs look nice and healthy. Maybe just feel the potting medium to see if it is dry with your finger. Good luck with these sweet gifts. :-)
ReplyDeleteFrances
Those bulbs are fascinating to watch aren't they?
ReplyDeleteI won't tell on you if you won't tell on me! I didn't buy any bulbs this fall either. However this post just reminded me that I bought a kit with three, of those cute little vases at a garage sale this summer. I need to see if I can locate a few bulbs to force indoors!
ReplyDeleteI too love watching bulbs grow. reminds me I have to replant the amaryllis if I want them to bloom...
ReplyDeleteBTW, be careful Luna doesn't eat the coc stuff, it's not good for dogs, at least I heard so.
Beeg Seester's can be so sweet and thoughtful--who woulda thought so many years ago when they were such pains, they would turn out so nice!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel guilty about not buying bulbs this year--I bought enough for both of us! I just got them in the ground yesterday too! Whew! Not a moment too soon!
Great idea, the growing process is so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteI just bought a couple of cheapie amaryllis bulbs at Target. I always feel sorry to see them at this time of year, struggling to shoot forth from the cardboard boxes they're packaged in.
ReplyDeleteMine came with a loose mix of this same potting medium. I just stick my finger in to see if it feels dry. Considering these bulbs were growing "dry," I don't think they ask for very much.
Also, I put little silver and white Xmas balls around the bulbs as a decorative "mulch." It really dressed up the containers, and you can just move one ball aside to add water.
It always amazes me that they will come up given just a wee bit of light, soil, and water! Can't wait to see them all tall and in bloom Lisa. :c)
ReplyDeleteLisa girl .. I don't have any bulbs (worried about the girls finding a way to get to them) so please don't tell the bulb police on me either ? I really regret not having any when I see all of these .. I don't even have that perfect vase I bought in Holland to sprout bulbs .. darn it all !
ReplyDeleteI'll watch yours with you though .. makes me feel a bit better ! LOL
Joy
What a sweet Beeg Seester! (Say "hi" to her for me.) I've never tried the bulb vases before, but they look so easy and so pretty. Maybe I'll put that on my Christmas list. I'm sure if you just feel the coco fiber to see if it's dry, you'll do fine. I potted up one amaryllis bulb the other day, but it still isn't showing any green like yours--hope I didn't get a dud:)
ReplyDeleteI would like to try one of those. Please, let us know how the pellet works out. I've never tried the water method either. With house cats, I have to be careful what I grow inside.
ReplyDeleteMarnie.
I've never grown paperwhites--maybe I'll get some after Xmas when they're on sale really cheap! I do love those forcing glasses. Looking forward to seeing your bulbs' bloom!
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at those in the store yesterday. I didn't know if was too late to do it or not!
ReplyDeleteAren't indoor bulbs fun? I need to get my paperwhite started. Be careful, you might end up with a serious indoor bulb addiction problem.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa....bulbs are just amazing and I think, produce some of the most beautiful blooms.
ReplyDeleteLovely gift....
I think Lisa, and only think, that growing medium may be dangerous to dogs.....it just rang bells for me. I could be wrong......
An exciting project when these bulbs begin to flower because outside I'm sure you'll be knee deep into snow! I just bought myself one of those mirrored pots..for my Christmas tablescape!!
ReplyDeletelove and light anna xo
Lisa, I have one bulb in water right now~ a gift from a gardening buddy. I also have a box of bulbs that didn't get into the ground...hoping for a warm day this month to finish planting. Your Beeg Seester was very thoughtful! gail
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gift from your Beeg Seester!
ReplyDeleteThe kit sounds easy peasy, no fuss, no mess, good to go etc! Nice that everything arrives in one box.
Looking forward to watching them grow!
Bulbs make me hugely happy, Lisa. I have paperwhites in bloom, amaryllis about to bloom, hyacinths thinking about getting going.
ReplyDeleteI love the magic of the way these things adapt and go. They are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteThose look like such healthy bulbs, Lisa! Sometimes with those kits, you just never know what you're going to get. I've used that coir stuff before. It's what comes in a lot of amaryllis kits, too. It is weird stuff, almost like sawdust. I generally stick my finger down in it to see if it needs to be watered. Also, it will pull away from the sides when it's dry.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see your flowers!
I also love the forced bulbs in the winter. Watching the plants bloom and having the the flowers inside is always a thrill. I have hundreds of tulip bulbs in my refrigerator just waiting for me to force. Maybe today I will get the potting soil out and do up a couple of pots.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder and the inspiration. I have never used the fiber only water and soil....
Sherry
My mom loves paper whites and I'm starting to gain interest in them, they are so cute. It nice to have something to grow indoors when you can't grow anything outdoors.
ReplyDeleteBulbs are so resilient, sometimes even sending flowers out when they're not even potted or receiving water. It looks like you'll have a beautiful flowering plant by Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that I am not the only one who did not buy any bulbs for indoors.
ReplyDeleteLisa,
ReplyDeleteI just bought one of those kits from Target the other day to pot up some paperwhites with my grandkiddos. They will love watching them grow and if you can believe it you can't find paperwhite bulbs in my area for sale except in the kits.
Yours are going to be popping out for you by Christmas it looks like. So pretty in both vases.
Meems
What a lucky girl you are! I was hoping to pick up some paperwhites but none happened to cross my path, sad to say. Wish I had a beeg seester like yours :)
ReplyDeleteI'll enjoy watching your enthusiastic little fellas.
My 2 last year's Amaryllis had the coco disks and it's amazing how they swell! You'll be able to tell when they need water just by sticking your finger. You know...when the soil is dry about a half inch down.
We've had a wintry week here. Much too cold for me!!
My sis ter gave me Paper Whites one year. They are beautiful and come January and February you are going to love them.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'm thinking I might have to go and get some paperwhites, myself. I miss their scent, but gave away all my old bulbs to Mom when I moved.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and photos.
Way to grow, Lisa! As you said, those bulbs were just waiting for their opportunity to take off and grow.
ReplyDelete