Articles by Lee County Master Gardeners
Forcing Bulbs
By Suzanne Crow
‘Tis the season to force bulbs to bloom inside, decorate your home for the holidays, or give as gifts. Bulbs that can traditionally be found this time of year are straightforward to grow and are sometimes available already in pots and actively growing.
No matter where they are planted, bulbs must go through three stages before they bloom: dormancy, deep root development, and sprouting. To manipulate hardy bulbs into flowering early- during the winter holidays, for example- you need bulbs that have been in cold storage for about three months. This is when deep-root development occurs. Once you get the bulb home and expose it to artificial light and warmth, you force it into bloom before its time. Be sure to buy bulbs suitable for forcing that have been pre-chilled unless you can store them in a cool, dark place for 12-16 weeks to mimic winter chilling.
Amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus bulbs that you buy now grow fast and are the most fun to watch grow, especially for kids. Amaryllis bulbs are large and oftentimes come potted in a light soil mix. Make sure to plant amaryllis in soil with the top half of the bulb exposed, place it in a brightly lit location, and water around the periphery of the bulb. Once the stalk or bud emerges, water regularly when the soil is dry. Amaryllis grow tall so use a pot that is only about an inch wider in diameter than the bulb. Pebbles on top of the soil may also help hold the bulb in place.
Paperwhites can be grown in a wide bowl, preferably glass, with a 2-inch layer of pebbles in the bottom. Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles, growing tips up, as close as a half inch apart. Add more pebbles to the container until the bulbs are firmly positioned. Add water until it reaches just to the bulbs’ bottoms. Keep the water level constant, place in a cool, bright spot, and watch the roots grow around the pebbles. Flowers will appear in 4 weeks or so.
Hyacinths are also grown in water in hourglass-shaped vases with the bulb sitting above water. Other easy bulbs to force are miniature daffodils such as ‘tete a tete’ and grape hyacinths, making a beautiful display grown together in soil. Forcing bulbs into bloom will have you feeling like spring is just around the corner.
Suzanne Crow is a Lee County Master Gardener
By Suzanne Crow
‘Tis the season to force bulbs to bloom inside, decorate your home for the holidays, or give as gifts. Bulbs that can traditionally be found this time of year are straightforward to grow and are sometimes available already in pots and actively growing.
No matter where they are planted, bulbs must go through three stages before they bloom: dormancy, deep root development, and sprouting. To manipulate hardy bulbs into flowering early- during the winter holidays, for example- you need bulbs that have been in cold storage for about three months. This is when deep-root development occurs. Once you get the bulb home and expose it to artificial light and warmth, you force it into bloom before its time. Be sure to buy bulbs suitable for forcing that have been pre-chilled unless you can store them in a cool, dark place for 12-16 weeks to mimic winter chilling.
Amaryllis and paperwhite narcissus bulbs that you buy now grow fast and are the most fun to watch grow, especially for kids. Amaryllis bulbs are large and oftentimes come potted in a light soil mix. Make sure to plant amaryllis in soil with the top half of the bulb exposed, place it in a brightly lit location, and water around the periphery of the bulb. Once the stalk or bud emerges, water regularly when the soil is dry. Amaryllis grow tall so use a pot that is only about an inch wider in diameter than the bulb. Pebbles on top of the soil may also help hold the bulb in place.
Paperwhites can be grown in a wide bowl, preferably glass, with a 2-inch layer of pebbles in the bottom. Place the bulbs on top of the pebbles, growing tips up, as close as a half inch apart. Add more pebbles to the container until the bulbs are firmly positioned. Add water until it reaches just to the bulbs’ bottoms. Keep the water level constant, place in a cool, bright spot, and watch the roots grow around the pebbles. Flowers will appear in 4 weeks or so.
Hyacinths are also grown in water in hourglass-shaped vases with the bulb sitting above water. Other easy bulbs to force are miniature daffodils such as ‘tete a tete’ and grape hyacinths, making a beautiful display grown together in soil. Forcing bulbs into bloom will have you feeling like spring is just around the corner.
Suzanne Crow is a Lee County Master Gardener
