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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

On the Rocks


OK...it's an annual tradition with me: paperwhites and vodka, surely one of the oddest pairings ever. I love to bring a little zip into these dreary December days, and nothing does it better for me than forcing paperwhites, commonly destined for early spring in the garden, indoors in a rock- bottomed glass vase. The secret ingredient, vodka, stunts the usually drooping greenery allowing the fragrant blossoms to take center stage. Here is the oh-so-simple recipe, courtesy of Cornell University.

Plant your paperwhite bulbs in sand, rocks, or marbles. Water them and let them grow to 1-2 " tall. Pour off the water and replace it with a solution of 80 proof vodka and water - 1 part booze to 7 parts water. Use this solution to nourish the paperwhites as they grow, topping off as needed. Differing from the sober water version of forcing, these semi-soused stems will be about 1/3 shorter and hold up the blooms in a wonderful, showy display of loveliness.

Go for it.








9 comments:

  1. if Cornell says ii, it must be so. We've hiked around the grounds of Cornell in Ithaca. They have wonderful gardens and other "plantations." When it comes to growing things, they know the secret.

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  2. Oh, Jan ~
    I wish I had seen this a couple weeks ago. I don't drink vodka (made me the sickest I've ever been in my life...lol!), but I had 2 bottles that I received as gifts at work that were never opened and I just gave them away. I think this is the first year in decades that I have not had paperwhites. I always hated how they got so tall and fell over. I will have to remember this!
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  3. my first thought was what an odd drink that would make....haha...err...pretty cool little trick though....and they do look very nice...

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  4. I'll be darned....who woulda thought this works. They're lovely by the way!!!

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  5. Wow! What an unusual idea ~ Great photo ~ (A Creative Harbor) aka, artmusedog and Carol ^_^

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  6. what a cool idea! I forced some this year for the first time..yes, the greens are huge!

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  7. Beautiful for the winter days! And who knew about the vodka?!

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  8. Well, I have learned something new this evening, thank you for the great tip, I will definately give it (vodka)a try! Greetings, Julie.

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