Tools:
- Paperwhite bulb
- Small stones (collect from outside and wash)
- Clean, clear container (a recycled jar will work great!)
- Water
Before You Explore:
Can you grow a plant in winter? Can you grow it without soil?
Paperwhites are fragrant, winter-blooming flower bulbs. In warmer climates (not Maine!), the bulbs may be planted outdoors in fall to produce blooms in late winter/early spring. In colder climates, paperwhite bulbs are grown indoors to produce flowers during the winter months. Yes, these grow in the winter!
Watch this amazing time-lapse of paperwhite bulbs growing! https://bit.ly/paperwhitetimelapse
Connect with Nature:
- Go outside with your jar and collect small stones. Collect enough stones to fill the jar about half way full.
- Next place a paperwhite bulb on top of the stones – root side down.
- Place a few stones around the bulb to anchor it so it doesn’t tip over in the jar.
- Leave the top of the bulb showing above the stones.
- Add water until the level reaches just below the base of the bulb, but no higher. (If the base of the bulb sits in water it will rot).
- Set your container in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
- Check the water level of your container often. Keep the water just below the bulb.
- After a week, peek to see if it has begun to produce roots, but don’t disturb the bulb. When the roots are very obvious (about 3 weeks), move the bulb to a sunny window and watch it continue to grow and, eventually, bloom!
Dive Deeper!
Use the growth tracker we’ve included (or create a daily tracker) to observe your bulb’s growth over time. Bulb Observation Tracker
Predict: When will you see roots develop? What week will it start to grow a leaf? Will it grow the same amount each week? How long will it take to bloom?
Research: What’s the difference between these big bulbs and smaller seeds we plant in spring?
Share: Take photos to track the changes and send ‘before’ and ‘after’ pics to !