Forcing Bulbs
Begin 15-16 weeks before you expect your bulbs to bloom. To use forced bulbs as Christmas gifts, start in September.
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Choose a pot that is at least twice as tall as the bulbs.
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Mix bulb fertilizer into your potting soil.
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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.
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Place the bulbs on top of the soil. They should be placed close together, but should not touch each other or the pot.
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Sprinkle soil around the bulbs until only the shoulders are showing.
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Water the soil and keep it moist.
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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.
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When the stems are about 2 inches tall, move the pot to a warm sunny spot to stimulate bloom.
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Small pots of ivy can be transplanted around the bulbs when they begin to bloom.
| Narcissus (Paperwhites) |
Use a flowerpot at least 2 inches deep and large enough to hold three to twelve bulbs. Fill the container half full of pebbles. Set the bulbs on the pebbles. Pour in more pebbles until a third of each bulb is covered. Add water until it touches the bulb and place in a cool, dark place. Continue as above. |
| Amaryllis | Plant one bulb per pot in a good commercial potting soil allowing about an inch of space between the bulb and the pot. Leave about 1/3 of the bulb exposed. This bulb needs a well-lighted warm place in the beginning, then can be moved to a cooler, shaded interior to make the blooms last longer. |
| Hyacinths | These bulbs can be forced in 8-10 weeks. Plant in a good commercial potting soil so that the tips are near the surface or protruding slightly. Keep them in a cool dark place until the shoots are 4-5 inches tall. After this period, provide abundant light. |
| Tulips | Precooled early tulips can be forced into bloom by Christmas. Keep them cool for three weeks before moving to a warm, sunny place. |
see also: Hyacinths the Old Fashioned Way by Carol Wallace
