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Pickled Paperwhites
This new twist on a boozy bromide is based on research conducted by Dr. Bill Miller of the Department of Horticulture at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. The study was prompted by an inquiry from a journalist. “It seems that a reader discovered that pouring a little gin onto paperwhites growing on pebbles and water caused them to stay shorter and not fall over,” says Dr. Miller.
Paperwhite narcissi are notorious for growing tall and leggy, often flopping over just as their spicy-scented white blossoms begin to bloom. The easy-to-grow bulbs are particularly popular at holiday time and in early winter, requiring no special treatments to bloom indoors.
According to Dr. Miller: “Growing paperwhites in a 4% to 5% solution of alcohol is actually an excellent growth regulation technique. When grown in 5% alcohol, plants are about half the height of plants grown in straight water. Given that most liquors are 40% alcohol, this is equal to 1 part booze to 9 parts of water. Gin, vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila and schnapps are all equally effective, so long as they are given at the same alcohol concentration (realizing that liquors can come in different strengths). Beer and wine (red or white) are not recommended as they kill the bulbs. “
