Baby It's Cold Outside...

Brrrr...17 degrees here in Mid-Michigan today...Are you as ready as I am for Spring? Unfortunately, we still have a few months to go, but there is a way to have a little bit of springtime in the winter.
Forcing bulbs is a great way to bring gardening indoors during these bone-chilling months.

How To Force Bulbs 


First, select top-rate large bulbs. Make sure the bulbs do not already have shoots and that they are not soft. High-quality bulbs are necessary because the bulbs contain the food energy for the flowers. Some bulbs such as, narcissus, crocus, and hyacinth can be forced in water, but you will need to discard them after they have finished their bloom cycle. If you would like to transfer those bulbs outside in the spring, then opt to force them in pots. Next, choose your pot; plastic or clay, whichever is your preference. Scrub all pots clean, and if you are using clay pots, soak them in water overnight before filling. Bulbs need a lot of moisture and excellent drainage. A soil mix of equal parts peat moss, potting soil, sand, and vermiculite/perlite works best. Mix thoroughly and add enough water to thoroughly moisten. Then, place some broken crockery or pebbles over the pot's drainage hole. Fill the pot half-full with soil mix. Continue adding soil until there is enough in the pot that the bulb tops reach the rim of the pot. 

Bulbs must be planted with the top (pointed end) up. Plant them as close together as possible without having them touch. If your bulb has a flat side, plant that side towards the outside of the pot. The first leaves will form a nice border around the edge of the pot. Add enough soil to fill the pot and water thoroughly. 


Now comes the most important part of the process. In order to force bulbs, you must trick them into thinking that they have sat through their winter dormancy period. The pots must be placed in cold storage. A basement, cellar, or refrigerator will do the trick. Wherever you store them, they must be kept in the dark. If necessary, cover them with other pots or black plastic garbage bags. Keep the bulbs moist during this time period. Early bloomers, like crocus, daffodil, and snowdrops, require 12 weeks of cold storage, while late bloomers, like tulips, require 16 weeks. When you see shoots that are 2-3 inches above the rim and fine white roots emerging from the drainage hole of the pot, you are ready to take the pot out of cold storage. 


The plants will now need to be kept in a cool environment with indirect sunlight. Do not let the plants dry out. Feed weekly with half-strength houseplant fertilizer. Turning the pots daily will keep the stems strong and straight. In a couple weeks, your plants should be strong enough to be moved to a bright, sunny location. Keep in mind that these types of flowers do not like hot temperatures. Once the flowers open, it's time to move them back to indirect sunlight. This will prolong bloom time. After the plant has finished it's flowering cycle, cut the stems down. Allow the foliage to die back by itself. Store the pots in a cool, dry place until summer or early fall when the bulbs can be transplanted outdoors. Do not attempt to force these same bulbs again; their production will be weak.