How to Force Bulbs, Forcing Bulbs Indoors
Forcing bulbs is one of the more enjoyable indoor gardening projects. Your
mission, is to convince a spring bulb that it has slept through the winter
months, and it is time to awaken into full bloom. You are doing this, even
as the snow is piling up outside your window. Your reward is a colorful bloom
and scent, during otherwise grey and drab days. What better way to beat the
winter doldrums!?!
Forcing bulbs indoors, is not too difficult. It just takes time, patience
and a little advance planning. Sure, you can buy potted bulbs already forced
and ready to grow. But why do that? You are the the gardener. Why let someone
else haveall the fun!?!
How to Force Bulbs Indoors:
Select the bulbs you are going to force. Use you artistic skills, to mix
and match the right blooms with the right pot.
Use a good potting soil that drains well.
Tip: Make up several pots to produce a continuous bloom, over the
winter months.
After making the pots, water thoroughly until water emerges from the holes
at the bottom of the pots. Let excess water drain out.
Most bulbs require a "chilling period". This is a time when the bulb is dormant
in a cool environment, simulating it's natural underground winter home in
cold soil. Most bulbs need this chilling period to force them to bloom. A
couple exceptions to the rule are paperwhites and Amaryllis, which do not
require a period of chilling.
Chill your bulbs, by potting them up and placing the pots in a cool location.
The ideal temperature for chilling is 40 degrees, keeping them as close to
this temperature as possible. Do not let the bulbs freeze.
Chill Time for Bulbs:
| Bulb |
Chill Time (weeks) |
Weeks to Bloom |
| Amaryllis |
None required |
5-10 |
| Crocus |
14-15 |
2-3 |
| Daffodil |
15-17 |
2-3 |
| Freesia |
None required |
2-3 |
| Hyacinth |
10-14 |
2-3 |
| Iris, Dwarf |
12-15 |
3-4 |
| Lily of the Valley |
12-15 |
2-3 |
| Muscari |
13-16 |
2-3 |
| Paperwhite |
None required |
3-5 |
| Scilia Tubergeniana |
12-15 |
2-3 |
| Snowdrop |
14-15 |
2-3 |
| Tulip |
14-20 |
3-4 |
Note: You can chill bulbs before potting.
Check on the pots from time to time. Make sure that the soil has not dried
out. It should be slightly moist, but not wet. Add a little water, only if
needed. During this period, your dormant bulbs are not quite dormant. They
are quietly building their root system, so they are ready to explode out
of the ground when you bring them indoors.
Important Tip: While you can chill bulbs in a refrigerator, they interact
with many fruits in your refrigerator, and may fail to bloom.
After the minimum chilling period has been reached, bring your pots in. Place
them in a warm, sunny window. The warmth is your bulbs' signal to awaken.
As soon as they emerge from the ground, they will need light to grow and
bloom.
Right about now you are probably wondering about how long a particular bulb
needs to be chilled and how long the growing period is to reach the blooming
stage. Well, you guessed the answer.... it depends. It depends upon the
particular bulb. In general, a bulb needs 6-12 weeks to "Chill", prior to
forcing them.
Tip: To extend the blooms, move the pots to a cool location at night
and while you are out of the house.
More Information:
Flower
Bulbs Buy Bulbs for forcing indoors, from TGN's Bulbmall.
More Information:
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