How to Force Bulbs for Blooming Indoors
Many of the spring-flowering bulbs can be forced to flower
much earlier, indoors. You can have an attractive display flowering during the
winter. A forced bulb arrangement is always popular at Christmas time, too.
The most popular bulbs for forcing are hyacinths, crocuses, tulips, irises
and amaryllis.
Some bulbs need cold storage at 4 degrees C or less
before planting indoors for forcing to bloom.
Paperwhites are a type of narcissus and they need no cold storage treatment prior
to planting. They are a favorite because they are so easy to force to grow indoors. They are
often used for children's projects but professional designers use them too. They can
be grown in containers with just pebbles or decorative rocks and water. A layer of
charcoal on the bottom will keep the water sweet. The paperwhites will make a
nice display and are very fragrant, too.
You can plant a nice display of bulbs using a clay pot with holes on the bottom
and potting soil. You may even layer the bulbs. Place drainage rock in the bottom
of the pot to prevent soil from leaking out of the holes and add some of the soil mix.
To layer bulbs, place the larger ones first, then add soil up to the necks. Between them,
place the smaller bulbs on top and then add more soil to cover. Water, and place in
a bright place. The large and small bulbs may flower at different times, thus producing
a display of blooms over a longer length of time.
Amaryllis bulbs are great to plant singly. They grow very fast and children love to
measure them daily. This can be an educational project, teaching about plants and
measurements in a fun way.The amaryllis will produce one or more large, impressive blooms.
Give forcing bulbs a try and I'm sure you will be glad you did.
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