A basket of blooming narcissus is the perfect gift for anyone — teachers, coworkers, friends or family.
To make your own narcissus basket you will need premium bulbs of paper-whites, Chinese sacred lilies, Grand Soleil d’Or, Cragford, or geranium narcissus.
- Choose a suitable flat basket (about 6-9″ in diameter and 3-4″ high).
- Line the basket with a circle of heavy-gauge (4 millimeter) plastic sheeting and cut to fit. (You may also line the basket with any shallow container with no drainage holes.)
- Fill the plastic (or container) halfway to the top with pebbles or gravel.
- Add 6-8 bulbs, with the pointed side up and with their sides touching.
- Fill in with more pebbles to hold them upright.
- Cover the pebbles with sphagnum moss (optional).
- Add water to the base of the bulbs.
- Continue to water as necessary to keep the water at that level.
- Cover the basket with an upside-down cardboard box.
- Place in a cool spot for one and a half weeks or until sprouts are 3-4″ tall.
- Uncover the basket and place it in a sunny window until the flowers open.
- Turn it daily for even growth.
Enjoy the narcissus basket in the house during winter or give it as a gift!
Allow six weeks for fully open flowers. Discard the bulbs after flowers fade. Bulbs forced in water cannot be reused.
Tip: For a succession of flowers, plant up more baskets monthly