Forcing Bulbs

Begin 15-16 weeks before you expect your bulbs to bloom. To use forced bulbs as Christmas gifts, start in September.

1. Choose a pot that is at least twice as tall as the bulbs.

2. Mix bulb fertilizer into your potting soil.

3. Fill the pot with a light potting soil so that when the bulb is placed on top of the soil, the growing tip reaches the top of the pot.

4. Place the bulbs on top of the soil. They should be placed close together, but should not touch each other or the pot.

5. Sprinkle soil around the bulbs until only the shoulders are showing.

6. Water the soil and keep it moist.

   
   

   
   
   

7. Place the pot in a cool dark place, such as a refrigerator. Most bulbs need about 12 weeks of cold storage.
   Note: No cooling is required for some bulbs such as Amaryllis.

8. When the stems are about 2 inches tall, move the pot to a warm sunny spot to stimulate bloom.

9. Small pots of ivy can be transplanted around the bulbs when they begin to bloom.

see also: Hyacinths the Old Fashioned Way by Carol Wallace