The Tops of the Paperwhite Bulbs Are Rotting

Cold Damage

• To force paperwhites atop gravel, choose plump, firm bulbs with no soft spots. Paperwhite bulbs are shipped to nurseries and other retail sites during cold weather for forcing during the holidays. But the crates of bulbs sometimes spend too much time in the cold during the journey and the bulbs freeze. A frozen bulb will quickly rot and feel mushy. Return it to the store for a fresh bulb.

Gravel Forcing

• To avoid rot, fill a non-draining container with small gravel about 2 inches from the top and set the bulb on top of the gravel. Nestle the bottom of the bulb, which is the large, rounded part, into the gravel to steady it, but don’t cover the bulb with gravel.

Water

• Add water only to the base of the bulb; the rest of the bulb should remain dry. A frequent cause of bulb rot is keeping the bulb too wet. A clear glass container works best because you can easily monitor the water level. Place the container in a cool place indoors that is bright but doesn’t get direct sunlight.

Growth

• During the first week, the bulb will begin forming roots and the water level will remain fairly constant. During the second week, the roots will take up water much more quickly as they grow to the bottom of the container so check the water level frequently and keep the base of the bulb wet.

Bloom

• Leaves begin to grow during the third week, followed by the flowering stems. The blooms open between four and eight weeks after planting and the plant remains in bloom for about three weeks, depending on temperature and light conditions. The flowers last longest in cool temperatures in bright, but not direct, light. Discard the bulbs after forcing, as they will not bloom again.