Anyone ever heard of/tried this tip to keep paperwhites from toppling over?

[beac]

How to Stunt Paperwhites with a Nip of Booze

A problem with paperwhites, as with many bulbs planted in pots, is that they grow quite tall and all of their weight is at the top. Researchers in the Flowerbulb Research Program at Cornell University have come up with an unusual solution to this top heavy problem: Alcohol.

When paperwhite bulbs are grown in a dilute solution of alcohol, the plants reach a height of 1/3 to ½ their normally expected growth - but the flowers remain normal size and last just as long. Why they thought of giving their paperwhites a nip, I don’t know. But it appears that the resulting water stress on the plants is just enough to stunt their growth, but not interfere otherwise.

http://gardening.about.com/od/forcingandprechilling/qt/PaperWhites_Alc.htm

More info on how to make your Narcissus a cocktail at link.

I think I'm going to try this w/one of my paperwhite bowls this winter. Afraid to try it w/all for fear of ending up with nothing but flower bulb martinis.

[Denninmi]

1. It would be nice if they didn't use a picture of Star of Bethlehem for the article.

But the concept sounds interesting. Mine always flop, too, I just usually tie them up. I don't care if they look messy as long as they smell nice.

[NJCher]

2. yeah,that didn't do much for their credibility, did it?

I was just about to start a tray of paperwhites and I love the idea of a shorter paperwhite. I'm going to try it and will, of course, report back. I'll bookmark the thread.


Cher