Forcing
Spring Flowering Bulbs into Bloom
By Melinda Myers
Send a link to a friend
[October 19, 2022]
Brighten your indoor décor, patio, deck, or
balcony by forcing a few spring flowering bulbs into bloom. Just
plant, give them a chill and enjoy a few extra daffodils, hyacinths,
tulips, crocus and grape hyacinths this winter and spring.
|
All you need is a suitable container, some
well-drained potting mix, the bulbs and a place to give the bulbs
the chill necessary to force them to bloom. Select a container with
drainage holes that is deep enough to accommodate the largest bulbs.
Cover the bottom few inches of the container with a well-drained
potting mix. Place larger and taller bulbs like tulips, daffodils
and hyacinths in the center surrounded by shorter varieties. They
can be planted close together, about one half the bulb width apart
with the neck of larger bulbs at or just below the soil surface. Set
tulips with the flat side of the bulb facing the pot for a better
display.
If you are using a deep container, plant layers of bulbs for a more
robust and longer-lasting display. Set the largest bulbs on the
potting mix near the bottom of the container. Cover these bulbs with
soil and add the smaller bulbs like grape hyacinths and crocus on
the next level. Plant these bulbs close to each other, covering the
surface, for greater impact. Cover this layer with at least an inch
of soil. Water thoroughly so the excess water drains out the bottom
of the pot.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Oct/15/images/ads/current/humanesociety_sda022411.png)
Move the bulb-filled container to a cool location where temperatures
remain above freezing and between 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit for 12
to 15 weeks. A spare refrigerator works well for this. Just avoid
storing the bulbs in a refrigerator with fruit like apples and pears
that emit ethylene gas that can negatively impact flowering. If
refrigerator space is limited, you can store the unplanted bulbs in
a paper bag, so they take up less space in the fridge for the needed
chill before planting.
Those gardening in colder climates can also store the pots in an
unheated garage. Just water the containers whenever the soil is
thawed and dry. Or sink the container into a vacant garden space in
your landscape. Mulch the soil once the ground starts to freeze with
evergreen boughs. The winter mulch makes retrieving the container
easier in winter or spring.
[to top of second column] |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Oct/15/images/ads/current/graue_22SILVERADO_061822.png)
Once the 12- to 15-week cold period is complete, you
can begin moving the pots indoors. Remove a few pots every week to
extend the bloom time and your enjoyment. Place the pot in a cool
bright location to encourage more compact growth. Water thoroughly
when the top few inches of soil begin to dry. Soon the leaves will
begin to sprout and flowers will appear in about four weeks.
Provide ongoing care if you plan on moving the bulbs
into the garden. Remove the faded flowers and place the leafy plants
in a sunny window and water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil
is dry. Fertilize with a dilute solution of any flowering houseplant
fertilizer.
When the danger of frost has passed, you can move these plants into
the garden if they are suited to your growing conditions. These
plants may not bloom the following spring but usually do the next
year and for several beyond.
Or you can toss the forced bulbs into the compost pile so they can
return to your garden as wonderful compost.
Investing time forcing a few spring flowering bulbs into bloom is
sure to boost your spirits this winter. Consider planting a few
extra pots of bulbs to do the same for friends and family.
Melinda Myers has written more than 20 gardening books, including
the recently released Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and
Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow
Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated
Melinda’s Garden Moment TV & radio program. Myers is a columnist and
contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her website is
www.MelindaMyers.com.
[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com] |