Beautiful Bulbs for Gardening Indoors

There are a number of beautiful flowering bulbs that can be easily forced for gardening indoors. Growing bulbs indoors is an easy way to add bright accents around the home. Choose containers that reflect your decorating style and personal tastes as well as those which complement your home. Metal, ceramic, plastic and clay containers will all do well, provided there is adequate drainage available. Forced bulbs require well-drained soil; therefore, containers must have a drainage hole, and must be at least twice as deep as the bulb for roots to develop.

Bulbs that are traditionally planted in the fall require a period of cold temperatures (or pre-chilling) in order to stimulate growth and flower production. These include non-tropical narcissus, hyacinth, tulips and crocus. You can also force glory-of-the-snow, grape hyacinth, and snowdrop bulbs. Fill the container about 3/4 full with a peat-based potting mix to help retain moisture. Use and place as many bulbs as you can fit in to the container, whether it's all one kind or a variety of bulbs. You can even plant smaller bulbs on top of larger bulbs, provided they share a similar bloom time. Cover the bulbs with about an inch of potting mix. Water your bulb garden thoroughly, until you see it coming out of the drainage hole. The temperature needs to stay between 35-45 degrees F. throughout the chilling period, which should be at least 16 to 18 weeks. A little extra chilling won't hurt the bulbs. You can also chill the bulbs in a refrigerator, provided you keep them away from any produce.

Not all bulbs require a cold period to stimulate blooming. Some bulbs, such as amaryllis, freesia, and paper whites, are actually considered tender and won't survive a winter chill. Instead, these bulbs require little more than heat and water. To coax these bulbs into bloom merely pot the bulbs, either in potting soil or water. The bulbs should sprout within a week or two of potting. Keep the sprouted plants cool (about 50 degrees F.) and in indirect light for the first couple of weeks, then move into direct light that will provide more warmth. The flowering bulbs should begin to bloom within a month.

Bulbs make an excellent choice for indoor gardens, providing your house with year-round color. Even if you live in a region with long winters, you can grow beautiful bulbs to brighten up your indoor décor. To create a beautiful indoor bulb garden, all you need to do is to simulate the conditions in the plants' native habitats. By carefully choosing both hardy and tender species and staggering forcing times, you can orchestrate an indoor succession of blooms. For instance, choose a variety of bulbs with different blooming cycles such as those that bloom in spring as well as those blooming in summer and fall. Using a pot with drainage, fill it half way with a lightweight potting soil. Gently press bulbs down on the soil, crowding them, but not touching. Cover with additional soil and add water to keep the lower part of the bulbs wet. Place in a bright, cool spot and enjoy. By planting bulbs every two weeks you can brighten your home with colorful blooming plants all winter.