|
Forcing Bulbs |
|
|
Forcing Bulbs |
|
| Brighten gray winter days with a display that plays on
the promise of spring blooms. Nestle hyacinth bulbs in moss in a
terra-cotta bonsai tray. Tie raffia around the tray so it resembles a
box of tree ornaments. Use the tray to enliven a kitchen table, or give
as a gift along with instructions for forcing the bulbs.
|
 |
Springtime comes early when you force bulbs into bloom indoors. During the frigid, dreary months of winter, you'll enjoy the powerful fragrance of hyacinths, the sweet scent of paperwhite narcissus, and the cheerful color of tulips, as well as other spring-flowering bulbs, if you plan ahead. |
|
Although it's not hard to fool Mother Nature, you can't hurry the process. Forcing most spring bulbs into bloom requires eight to 15 weeks of chilling, though there are varieties that can be ready for prime time in just two to three weeks. Potting Up Most bulbs will do well if grown in potting mix. Always start with clean pots and fresh mix. 1. Plan ahead. In autumn, purchase bulbs from a garden center, nursery, or mail-order source. Plant bulbs of your choice in any type of pot with a drainage hole. Choose a pot that's at least twice as deep as the bulbs to allow for proper root growth. Fill the pot half full of soilless potting mix. 2. Place as many bulbs as possible in the pot, without letting them touch. A 6-inch-wide pot holds up to six tulips, three narcissus (daffodils), or 15 minor bulbs, such as crocuses or grape hyacinths. For a thick show, layer more than one kind of bulb in the same pot; place larger bulbs on the bottom and they'll grow around the smaller ones. If the two bulbs you want to combine have different chilling and blooming schedules, plant them first in small plastic containers and combine them once they're in bloom.
An unheated attic, basement, or attached garage makes a good chilling area, but monitor the temperature if the weather turns extremely cold. Another option is to set the pots outside in a 12-inch-deep trench, lined with pebbles to prevent the pots from freezing to the bottom. Cover the pots with 10 to 12 inches of soil, then 12 inches of dry leaves held in place with a plastic tarp. 4. Check moisture in pot periodically. Keep soil damp but not wet. When chilling is complete, you'll see roots poking out of the bottom of the pot and green sprouts emerging at the bulb tips. It's time to move the potted bulbs into a warm room.
Growing in Water
Paperwhites and Soleil d'Or can be grown without soil. Plant them in pebble-filled containers with the base of the bulbs in contact with water at the bottom of the container. These bulbs don't need chilling, but will benefit from a cool temperature (50 degrees F.) until the top shoot is a couple of inches long. At that point, you can move the plant into a warm, brightly lit area. Chilling Chart The needed chilling period is usually stated as a range. Begin checking the pots at the short end of the range; the pots can be moved to a warm spot once the shoots are 2-3 inches above the bulb. As a very general rule, plan to start chilling bulbs in September for January bloom, October for February bloom, November for March bloom, and December for April bloom. For more specific timing, see the list below.
Chilling and Blooming Times
|
