Forcing Bulbs For Early Winter Cheer :| . | . | . | . | . | . | Forcing Bulbs For Early Winter Cheer : |
| Few of us are
cheered by the prospect of a long Wisconsin winter, and even an optimist would admit that
the world is altogether less colorful once the last of the autumn leaves has fallen.
Perhaps that is why many of us look for a way to bring a piece of the outdoors in with us
once the weather turns frosty. Short of a trip to the tropics, few things are as colorful
as a pot of tulips blooming in a February window, or an amaryllis bending under the weight
of heavy blossoms. If such images tempt you, now is the time to think about forcing bulbs,
particularly because many bulbs must be chilled for 12 to 14 weeks in order to bloom
indoors.
Most "outdoor" bulbs, such as narcissus, tulips, crocus, and hyacinths are good for forcing, and while hyacinths can be forced in water, most bulbs are best potted in a light potting mix. To enjoy any of these larger bulbs at the height of winter, pot them preferably in shallow pots (4-5" in depth, often known as "bulb pans"), in October. Your container should have good drainage holes. Place the bulbs close together, but not touching, on a layer of soil so that their points are nearly even with the top of the pot. Then fill in soil to approximately half an inch from the top of the pot, leaving the tips of the bulbs exposed. Water the pot well and allow it to dry for a day before beginning the chilling stage. Most people tuck the pot in the back of their refrigerator, or in an unusually cool corner of the basement. Most basements, however, are too warm, with temperatures exceeding the 35 to 45 degree range that is necessary for successful forcing. Check your bulbs weekly to make sure that soil is moist but never wet. Chill for 12 to 14 weeks—often you will see sprouting tips that signify the end of this period. Once you remove the bulbs from cold storage, place them in indirect light until their shoots turn green. Water as you would a houseplant When green, place the bulbs in a sunny widow until flower buds emerge. At that point move the pot into indirect light, keeping in mind that blossoms will last longer in a cooler spot. |
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| To force a hyacinth in water, you will need a jar or
vase with a narrow top that will keep the bulb up, out of the water. Place the bulb in the
jar, filling with water to just below the bulb, and place in the refrigerator. In about a
month, roots will develop, and in 6 to 8 weeks the bulb will sprout. When the sprout (or
shoot) is 1.5 inches long, put the jar in a sunny window to allow leaves to "green
up." When flowering begins, take the plant out of the hot sun to extend the life of
the bloom.
Paperwhites are perhaps the easiest bulbs to force, requiring no chilling, and blooming reliably 6 to 8 weeks after planting. Most people bury the bulbs to their necks in pebbles in shallow pots with no drainage holes, adding water until it reaches just beneath the bottom of the bulbs. Paperwhites can also be potted in soil, but be sure to use pots with good drainage holes. To have blossoms in time for Christmas, begin forcing in early to mid November. When the shoots emerge, place the pot in direct sun to keep the stems from getting leggy. When flower buds begin to color up, withdraw the pot from the sun and grow in indirect light. Amaryllis are as easy to grow as paperwhites and can be kept to bloom year after year. Pot your bulb in a pot only an inch or two wider than the bulb itself, burying it about halfway in any good houseplant soil. Water well and place the pot in a warm spot, either in the sun or somewhere such as the top of refrigerator where the pot can obtain good bottom heat. Generally speaking, bulbs produce a bloom stalk within 12 weeks. (See page 4 to learn how to keep your bulb in subsequent years.) Freesia are more tricky, but well worth the effort. Pot the corms just below the soil surface about 3 months before you want to see their fragrant blooms. Water well and place in a cool bright spot. Feed monthly and keep lightly watered. You may need to stake the bloom stalks. Now, sit back and enjoy! |
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