Chase Away the Winter Blahs by Forcing Bulbs
Narcissus Varieties Are Popular. Most Other Bulbs Can Be Forced Indoors, Too
When you bring bulbs indoors to spring-like temperatures and give them water, they will grow naturally, just as if they were underground and nature had provided the same conditions. You are simply mimicking nature and making spring arrive a little early.
How to Buy
Purchase bulbs now for forcing. If you purchase bulbs this time of year (winter), choose those that are labeled for forcing. They will not need cold treatment to bloom; those that need it have already been chilled and are ready to plant.
Paperwhite narcissus do not require a chill period.
What to Buy
Narcissus are the flower bulbs that have been most popularized for forcing, but you can also use pre-chilled daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinth or grape hyacinth. Combine several types of bulbs in a large, flat planter and create a complete spring garden indoors.
Buy potting soil and mix it half and half with perlite if you plan to use the soil method. Straight potting soil can retain too much water and may cause fungus diseases or rot, so adding perlite is very important. For pebbles, I like to use aquarium gravel. Buy it in a color to match your décor, or look for one of the pretty natural colors. Black gravel really sets off the spring colors of any flowering bulb.
Bulbs will bloom in either potting mix or pebbles only, but they will have stronger stems if you use potting mix.
How to Plant
To use potting mix, place a layer of small gravel in the bottom of the pot, and cover it with potting mix. This gravel won't be seen, so color doesn't matter. Press the rounded rooting end of the bulbs about halfway down into the potting mix. The pointed tips will be above the potting mix. I like to finish off the appearance of the pot with a layer of pretty gravel over the potting mix, but it is not necessary. Water the bulbs well, and place them where they will receive bright light.
Tip: A layer of pebbles/gravel over the potting mix keeps the soil from splashing out when you water the bulbs.
Care and Blooming
Keep your bulbs watered. Some water should trickle into the saucer each time you water them. You won't see it, but there is lots of root activity going on under the surface. The above-ground tips will swell with green leaves in a few days. Many bulbs will bloom in 10 to 14 days. Crocus bulbs usually bloom more quickly, sometimes in 7 to 10 days.
To Plant in Gravel Only
Fill the container about 3/4 full with pebbles only. Set the bulbs on the pebbles so they are stable, and finish filling the container with a few more pebbles. Some growers set bulbs directly on top of pebbles and rely on the roots to hold them upright. I think that adding a few extra pebbles around the bulbs makes them more stable, so they won't tip over when they become top heavy with leaves and flowers. Give your bulbs water and light as above, and they will reward you with spring flowers.
Published by Fern Fischer
I keep busy with organic gardening and living green, including healthy cooking with garden goodies. I enjoy writing about all of these, but my special interest is quilting, vintage quilts and textiles and re... View profile
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- Most forced bulbs give you flowers that are fragrant as well as lovely.
13 Comments
Post a CommentNice! Early this spring, I found a lone crocus bulb that came up in our lawn. It was a beautiful translucent purple, I suspect an old-fashioned variety. Translucency adds extra beauty. I moved it after it finished blooming, to a more protected place where it will receive full sun. Now I didn't research that first -- maybe I erred -- but I'm hoping I'm good to go on that. I so look forward to early spring, but lately I've been disappointed we haven't had long, mild springs. Instead of going right from winter into summer, wouldn't it be nice if we went right from spring into fall? What? No good veggies that way? Right you are, as usual, Fern.
I'd love to do this. I'm ready for spring!
I'm using my sister's tiny netbook (on which I cannot type, but bhunting and pecking as it is so tiny) to do some quick commenting and spread PV love while my computer is "sick."
Very helpful! Thx!
I had wondered how this was done. Every year in Indianapolis, we have a garden show in a huge building at the Fair Grounds, five weeks before Spring comes. It is filled with all sorts of blooming flowers from one end to the other. It's really awesome if it's been a gloomy, dreary Winter which you're fed up with!
It's past 10pm now, I've got to hurry and get the rest of my comments done - I was here!
Good info, once again. Thanks.
Good idea.
There is some tiny little violet crocus bulb (I think it's crocus) - not purple - violet - that is simply gorgeous. I suspect it is an old variety. If I had some of those...
Fern - what a great idea! Tomorrow I will, cheers.