In amongst the hustle and bustle of the Festive chores, I'm feeling very positive. Why? Well its because we've just about hit the bottom of the trough with regards day length which plays an important role in the trigger for spring. This year has been mild and already in the countryside I've spotted snowdrops and early daffodils poking through soil. Tonight looking at some of my outdoor pots, all of a sudden there's movement and green points of optimism are now poking through. We're a long way off from the gathering days, but at least it's about to change to an increase not a decrease. Somehow bulbs know this and like this year, a mild winter will get growth starting sooner than is probably altogether wise.
But ahead of all that are my narcissus 'paperwhites' which have today put forth flower buds. I've never had great luck with these as often (as instructed) when they're put into a dark cool cupboard to grow on they seem to become lank and epilated, then often flowering weeks before Christmas. So I did something different this year and the bowl above was planted when the bulbs had burst and a 1cm shoot was already visible. Since then they have languished in my unheated conservatory, where until a few days ago they really didn't put much growth on. All of a sudden this growth spurt has happened. Will they flower in time for Christmas?.. only time will tell.
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