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You can keep paperwhites from getting so tall and top-heavy that they fall over by using a 10% vodka / 90% water mix to grow them. Won't negatively affect the blooms, just keeps the stalks shorter.

Can you do the same with tulip bulbs? I bought a bunch of bulbs from my nephews school for a fundraiser and didn't get them soon enough to plant them out doors...

Is suspension over water (and sunlight) the only needed step? I looked up the process of forcing bulbs to grow indoors a few weeks ago and there was talk of 'cold storing' the planted bulbs for up to 12 weeks (thus mimicking the outdoor process).

Matilda,

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mjmanfredini -- it depends on the bulbs. Paperwhites & amaryllis (and others) just grow in water or soil. Others like tulips and hyacinths must be cold stored. I have tried and never done the cold store method sucessfully (except in the actual cold, outdoors).

Those of us with cats or other fur companions need to know whether or not these bulbs and then later when in bloom, the leaves and stalks are poisonous. I know my furkids will eat them. Can we have a blurb attached to such writings indicating whether or not the plant/flower is pet safe?

My MIL has successfully done the vodka/gin trick with her paperwhites this year - they stayed shorter, and look great! Apparently though, if you grow them in water instead of soil, then they won't bloom again the following years, since they can't store up any nutrients.

District Darling-
Great Tip!
Thanks - is this from Russia where wodka is plentiful?

Also - I'm hoping I can save the Grey Goose for Martinis - and feed my Narcissus the cheap stuff?

Yes?

Angry Kitty - some tulips can be planted very late in the season. You may still be able to put them in the ground if the soil has not frozen. They most likely would not work for forcing because they need to have experienced a long term of cold to prepare the bulbs. And with tulips I have been told that forcing success depends on the variety, not like narcissus that is easy to force.

The other option would be to store them in a cool, dry place and plant them very, very early in the spring. You can keep them in the fridge crisper in a ventilated bag, but just make sure to keep them away from fruit.

I started my Paperwhite on New Year Day, thinking it will bloom beautifully for Chinese New Year (early Feb). The nursery people told me to put it in soil, but only 2/3 of bulb in soil and top it with pebbles.

Perhaps it's global warming? It grew way too fast, 3 weeks too soon. The root is pushing the bulb upwards which they are now just sitting on the surface of the soil. It flowered last night, it's pretty but smells really terrible! I hope the odor is just temporary. Does anyone have an idea?