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Paperwhites Won't Bloom -What To Do About Them

16 years ago

Hi!

I have these paperwhites that haven't bloomed since my dog died 5 years ago. Every pre-spring (around February in Oakland, Ca.) since 5 years ago, they would totally emerge from the ground, but they won't bloom.

I really didn't give them much thought when they did bloom and my dog was still around. My dog would always eat them for whatever reason. He wouldn't leave me much time to enjoy them when they would bloom. Before I'd know it, the paperwhites would be gone, used as his salad. : ( My dog was the only one who "gardened" the paperwhites.

I'm starting to think that since he had passed on, and nobody has tried to do anything to them besides water them, they will just sit there.

This year, they stayed vibrantly green until June (in April is when they usually die off). That's when something (maybe a squirrel, raccoon, or opossum) entered my yard and took off with the stems and leaves.

Now, I am just beginning to see the tips of my paperwhites emerge from the ground. I am suspecting that the same thing will happen again this coming pre-spring where nothing will bloom.

What can I do to remedy this situation? Should I dig them up to separate them? There are at least 12 tips that I see coming up in a 12 in. diameter circle with 1/2 inch distance between all of them. I'm thinking that they are too close to one another to fully bloom.

Your response would be most appreciated. Thank you to all who have responded to my previous questions.

Sincerely,

mbluetyphoon

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Comments (4)

vetivert8
16 years ago
You might miss out on flowers this year, too, but you can make moves toward improving things for the following year/s.

While the leaves are up and flourishing - give the plants a 'side dressing' of potato or tomato fertiliser scriffled into the surface dirt. This adds potash to the soil and can help with the production of next year's flowers.

Another move is to add a good layer of aged compost to the area when the leaves have gone.

The third is, as you say, to thin the plants. More than thin - when you dig them up also add fresh compost to the soil if you are going to put them back in the same place.
hopflower
16 years ago
Agreed. A good watering and then a feeding with bulb food will help to get them strong again. The compost would be a slow and lasting moisture protector and a food as well. But thinning just might be the thing to do first; after five years they may have multiplied to the point where they are just too crowded. Get in there and see what is going on; if you see many and small ones, they are too crowded now. Then separate and replant them; water, feed and mulch for next year.
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pbandj_grow
16 years ago
mbluetyphoon,

You have classic case of overcrowding, to shallow and undernourished. If bulbs are left in one place long enough, they will continue to multiply and literally push out of the ground. Additionally, bulbs are heavy feeders during their storage season, when they bulk up and store nutrients for the coming season (immediately after bloom). I strongly recommend that you lift and seperate the bulbs (you'll have a lot to give away). Once lifted, you should incorporate a lot of compost into the area and dig it in deeply (preferably a foot or so). Replant the bulbs, mulch and water thoroughly. The bulbs will probably bloom this year after thinning and resetting (mine did). After this, if you will make it a habit to lift the bulbs, seperate them and rejuvenate the beds about every three years, fertilize with a good quality slow-release fertilizer after blooming ceases and keep them watered (not wet) during the growing season, you will avoid this issue later. Hope this helps and I found some great information about this and other stuff at the link below, as well as a pretty good newsletter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gardening Resource
mbluetyphoon
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi!

Thank you to all for the suggestions. I will start thinning the group today. I will follow suggestions made towards fertilization and watering. It would be so nice to see the paperwhites come up again - they smell so wonderful!

Again, thank you.

Sincerely,

mbluetyphoon

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