Forcing Bulbs to Bloom!

A Simple Way to Force Paperwhites for a Christmas gift for the home:

Paperwhites AKA Tazetta Narcissus

1. Find a container with no drainage holes that is at least 4" deep and wide enough to hold several bulbs. (Note: a taller container will be helpful in holding up the foliage and blooms--note how tall your bulbs will grow if possible and find a container that is about 1/2 as tall.)
2. Fill your container 1/2 way with pebbles, stones or marbles. (Note: rinse your stones or pebbles to get all the grit off.)
3. Set your healthy, high quality bulbs on top of the stones with the pointy end up and the flat side down. Make sure the bulbs do not touch each other. (6 tulip bulbs, 3 hyacinths, 6 daffodils, or 15 crocus, will fit into a 6-inch wide container.)
4. Add more stones so the bulbs stand up alone. You will be covering all but 1/3 of the bulb.
5. Add water to the container, taking care not to allow the bulbs to touch the water. No need to fertilize.
6. Keep them in a cool, dark room for several weeks to ensure root growth, then place in a sunny location.
7. To help the blooms last longer, you can remove the container to a cooler place at night. Small containers with crocus can even be put in the refrigerator over night. Blooms should last a week or two.