How to Force Spring Bulbs
By Monica Resinger
Forcing bulbs is a method of bringing a spring bulb into flower before its
natural flowering season and out of its natural surroundings. To force a
hardy bulb into flowering indoors, we need to trick it by mimicking what would
happen to it in its natural surroundings.
Why would we want to do this?
To have flowers blooming inside your house in the bleak of winter can lift
your spirits and brighten up your home. If you force a fragrant bulb, such as
hyacinth, you will also scent your home with a wonderful aroma.
What bulbs can you force?
You can force just about any spring bulb including, but not limited to:
snowdrops, grape hyacinth, crocus, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinth. Catalogs will usually identify forcing varieties.
How to Force Spring Bulbs
Container
The only requirement in this department is cleanliness. When you are
choosing a container, keep in mind that clay dries out faster so you would have to water more often. But, clay pots usually are more attractive, so the choice is up to you.
Bulb Choice
If you are buying your bulbs from the garden center, choose bulbs as you
would produce at the grocery store. Don't buy a bulb that is squishy, has
blemishes, or small in size compared to others. Look for a firm, good-sized bulb
that looks healthy. You will need a high quality bulb for forcing because the
bulb contains the food for the upcoming flower.
How Many?
Groups of three to five look best. You can plant as many bulbs as will fit
in your container as long as the bulbs aren't touching each other or the edges
of the container.
Planting Medium
A mixture of equal parts potting soil, sand, and perlite is best since bulbs
need moisture and drainage. If you would like to plant your bulbs outdoors
after forcing, add one teaspoon of 5-10-5 dry fertilizer to every quart of the
planting medium. Moisten the planting medium to a damp consistency before
planting.
Hyacinths and narcissus can be forced in pebbles and water with no
additional nutrients, but the bulb will never be able to flower again if using this method and should be disposed of after flowering. Put washed pebbles in the
bottom of a narrow glass container and cover with water. Set the bulb slightly
into the pebbles so it will stand. Bulbs should be cleaned before placing
them in the container. The container should be kept in a cool (45 to 50
degrees), dark location until tip growth is 3 to 4 inches long and the flower cluster emerges from the bulb. This may take 8 to 12 weeks. When the top growth is well developed, move the container to a cool, bright window.
Planting
Fill your container half-full with the planting medium then set a bulb
pointed end up on top of the medium. If the tip of the bulb isn't level with the
top of the container, add or take out soil to make it so. Plant bulbs pointed
end up and as close together as possible without letting them touch. Fill in
with planting medium and water well. Label the pot with the name of the bulb
and date of planting.
Cooling Period
Place pots in a cool dark place such as a refrigerator or in an unheated
garage. If necessary, place a box or a black garbage bag over the pots to keep
them dark. Temperatures should be 35-48° F. Keep the soil moist during this
rooting and cooling period. After five to six weeks, the roots should start
coming out of the bottom of the containers of large hardy bulbs.
Out of Cold Storage
When shoots are two to three inches and there are fine white roots coming
out of the drainage holes, it's time to bring the pots out of cold storage.
This could take from 12-16 weeks. At this point, bring the pot to a cool room
such as an unheated bedroom where it will be in the 50`s. They will need
indirect light and adequate moisture. Feed weekly with half strength houseplant
fertilizer. Turn the pots every other day or so to keep the stem growing
straight. In a week or two the stems will grow taller and the buds will become
plump.
Into Bright Light
When the foliage and buds are well developed, bring them into a bright,
sunny window where the temperature is around 65*F. When they start to flower,
move them to indirect light to prolong the flowers.
After Flowering
When the bulbs have finished flowering, cut off the stem and move the pot
back to direct light. Keep the foliage growing until it starts to die back.
Don't pull off the dying leaves because these contain food for next years'
flowers. Stop watering and store the bulbs in a cool dry place until late summer
or early fall when they can be planted into the garden. By planting the bulb
into the garden, they will regain their strength and show healthy flowers in
the next season or two. If you want to force bulbs again, don't use the same
bulb as you did the year before because forcing weakens the bulb and the
flowers will be unsatisfactory. Instead, start over and shop for fresh, healthy
bulbs.
Why not give it a try and bring a touch of spring into your home this
winter?
About the Author:
Monica is the founder of Homemaker's Journal E-publications, the growing home of many fun and informative home and garden e-books, tip sheets, articles and more! Get a FREE Slowcooker Recipe E-book when you subscribe to Monica's FREE e-zine for homemakers! To subscribe and receive instructions for picking up your FREE e-book, just send a blank e-mail HomemakersJournal-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
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Tips for Forcing Bulbs
Because bulbs contain sufficient nutrients for forcing, there is no need to apply any fertilizer.
When planting tulip bulbs place the flat side of the bulb toward the centre of the pot.
Paper white narcissus don't need prolonged cold treatment. They can be brought out of a dark, cool room into the light as soon as you see one to two inches of leaf growth.
Although hyacinths look lovely as single specimens, try planting them in groups of three or five for a beautiful, very fragrant display. Daffodils, paperwhite narcissus, crocuses, muscari, and other bulbs are most effective when planted in groups of three, five or more.
Containers for forcing may be metal, ceramic, plastic,or clay. Almost any container is suitable as long as it has one or more drainage holes and is twice as deep as the bulbs to be planted.
Grow different types of bulbs in one container for a colorful display. For example, plant tulip and daffodil bulbs, completely covering in potting soil, then plant smaller bulbs such as crocuses and grape hyacinths on top of the larger bulbs.
For a succession of blooms during the winter, remove a few pots from cold storage every 2 weeks. |
