How to Force Daffodils

Forcing daffodils sound much worse than it actually is. In reality, you are not "forcing" them, you are "tricking" them into thinking that winter is over and it is time to bloom. Daffodils can be forced at any time of the year provided that bulbs are available. The process takes at least sixteen weeks to bring the daffodils into bloom, so plan accordingly.

In order to force daffodils, you will need daffodil bulbs, planting medium, gravel or drainage material, and a container. Your planting medium must drain well but keep enough moisture in order for the bulbs to grow. A good combination is one-third loamy soil, one-third peat, and one-third sand. The pH level should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Fertilizer is not needed because daffodil bulbs already have all the food needed for them to bloom. Make sure your container has adequate drainage holes. Clay pots should be soaked overnight before they are used to prevent them from drawing moisture away from the soil.

It is important to choose your daffodils wisely because not all varieties force well. A list of daffodil varieties that are known to force well is located at the end of this article. If you need to store your bulbs before planting, keep your bulbs in a well-ventilated area with temperatures between 45°F and 50°F (unless they are Tazetta daffodils). Temperatures above 63°F should be avoided. Bare bulbs can be stored for several weeks before planting. Do not store bulbs near ripening fruit because it gives off a gas that will kill the bulbs.

Planting

Before planting, fill your pot with a layer of gravel or other drainage material and a layer of soil leaving about two inches from the top of the pot. The bulbs should be set so that the nose of the bulb is even with the top of the pot. Add the bulbs so that they are close together. You can usually fit about four to five bulbs into a six-inch pot. Then, cover the daffodil bulbs loosely with soil until it is about one-fourth of an inch from the top. Do not press the bulbs into the soil.

Water the pot thoroughly to help settle the soil around the bulbs. Watering should be done so that the water reaches the base of the bulbs without having the bulbs sit in water, which could rot the bulbs. It is a good idea to label the pots with the date of planting and the date they will be brought indoors. You do not need to fertilize your daffodils as bulbs contain all the food necessary for them to flower.

Cooling Period

All daffodils except Tazetta daffodils need a cooling period of at least thirteen weeks. However, you will get better results if you length this period to at least fifteen weeks. A longer cooling period will result in taller flowers.

During this time, place the pots in dark, place that stays between 35°F to 50°F. Keep the pots moist throughout this time. Refrigerators are usually good for this as long as fruit is not kept in the refrigerator during this time. Other places that work well are garages, storage sheds, attics, and basements.

If you want your flowers to bloom better, store them at temperatures between 40°F to 50°F for the first three to four weeks, then lower the temperature to about 35°F to 40°F. This mimics the natural temperatures of the soil. Some people choose to place pots in a trench outside and bury the pots with about six inches of soil or leaf mold.

If you stored the bulbs before planting them, subtract that time from your cooling period. For example, if you stored your bulbs for two weeks, they will only need an eleven to thirteen week cooling period.

Bringing Them Indoors

It is a good idea to bring your daffodils inside to a cool room (about 50°F to 55°F) for the last two weeks of the cool period to help them gradually warm up. However, this is not necessary. Once the cooling period is over, place the plants in an area with a temperature of about 68°F. For best results, the pots should receive direct sunlight. Your daffodils will begin to flower in about three to four weeks. When the flowers begin to open, move the plants out of direct sunlight and they will last longer. Unlike other forced bulbs, forced daffodils are capable of being planted outdoors in zones 4 to 8 and should bloom again the following year. Plant them in the early spring after their foliage has died down. Although the commercial once said, "It's not nice to fool mother nature," it's hard to believe that when you have beautiful daffodils in your home year round.