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Use This Boozy Beverage To Prevent Floppy Paperwhite Flowers
By SAKSHI KHAITAN
To prevent paperwhite flowers (Narcissus papyraceus) from drooping due to their lanky stems, a unique solution involving the use of alcoholic beverages has been found effective.
Backed by research at Cornell University, this technique results in the growth of sturdier, shorter stems without compromising the beauty or lifespan of
the flowers.
Begin by planting paperwhite bulbs in a suitable medium like stones, marble chips, glass beads, or gravel. Water them as usual until their stems grow 1-2 inches above the bulb.
Then, remove the water from the container and replace it with a 4-6% alcoholic solution. You can create this by mixing one part of 40% distilled liquor with seven parts of water.
While you can choose any hard liquor you have available, like vodka, gin, tequila, rum, and whiskey, steer clear of beer and wine since their sugar content can harm the plant.
Alternatively, if hard liquor isn't available, a solution made from one part of 70% isopropyl alcohol, commonly known as rubbing alcohol, and 10-11 parts of water can be used.
When adding any of the boozy beverage to the plant, ensure it reaches just near the lower part of the bulbs, but doesn't make direct contact with them, to
prevent rotting.