Hi. I’m Am Forcing Paperwhites To Bloom For Christmas. All Had A Sprout Before Starting. All Have Now Taken Root, However; There

Question

is one whose original sprout is rotten. It is pushing out roots. Should I cut off the dead sprout? All the bulbs had an whiteish bud/stem out prior to planting. All of these original stems are green and thriving with the exception of the one stem that is dead. However, that bulb is alive and pushing out roots. Do I cut the dead stem off? Will it push out another?

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Answer 1

This sounds like an attempt by the plant to stay alive! There is no harm in attempting to save it. Make sure to cut off any dying materials, and treat with a fungicide.

I would reduce the water level as well. You want to keep the base of those bulbs out of water, so that the roots have to search a little, and to keep it from rotting.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/using-fungicides-in-garden.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/paperwhites/forcing-paperwhite-bulbs.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/paperwhites