In my last post, paperwhites were omitted from my listing of favorite smells. That was an oversight. To have these intoxicating beauties blooming by Thanksgiving is one of my favorite things.
Friday night I potted up a couple dishes using pebbles as my medium for keeping the bulbs upright. I added water to the bottom of the bulbs and that was it. All I have to do now is wait.
Paperwhites, part of the Narcissus genus, owe their name to Narcissus, the boy of myth. Angered by his self-absorbed gaze at his own reflection, the goddess Nemesis withdrew his right to humanhood, transformed his feet to roots and condemned him to life as a flower.
This story “explains” Narcissus, and it says a whole lot about Nemesis, too. Nemesis, the giver of “what is due,” the implacable executrix of justice, has a name synonymous with retribution. In Greek tragedies, she avenged crimes and punished hubris.
Will I have blooming paperwhites by Thanksgiving? Probably not. The cycle, from planting to bloom, takes four to six weeks. The wait, however, will be worth the reward. Whenever these flowers bloom, it will be a time of thanks giving.
I had no idea that is what happened to Narcissus and should teach one to be careful about peeking into the river. I love white flowers and moonlight.
Posted by: Princess Haiku | November 04, 2007 at 10:34 PM
Don't forget to either stroke the growing leaves or feed them some gin to keep them from growing too tall.
Ron
Posted by: Ronald A. LeMahieu | November 07, 2007 at 06:43 AM