Forcing bulbs in winter is a wonderful way to bring spring into the house a little early. Forcing bulbs indoors is easy to do, whether you are forcing bulbs in water or soil. Keep reading to learn about how to force a bulb inside your home.
Choosing and Preparing Bulbs for Forcing
Almost any spring blooming bulb can be forced to bloom indoors, but some spring blooming bulbs are more popular for bulb forcing. Some popular spring bulbs to force are:
Choose flower bulbs for forcing that are plump and firm. The larger the flower bulb is, the bigger the bloom will be. With the exception of amaryllis, unless you have bought flower bulbs that have been specifically prepared for forcing, you will need to prepare them. Place them in a cold place, between 35 and 45 degrees F. (2-7 C.) for 10 to 12 weeks. Many people use either their refrigerator in the vegetable drawer or an unheated garage to do this. This is called pre-chilling. Once your flower bulbs have been pre-chilled, you can start forcing bulbs indoors in either water or soil.
How to Force a Bulb to Bloom in Water
When forcing bulbs in water, first choose a container to use for forcing. You can buy specific vases called forcing vases to grow your flower bulb indoors. These are vases that have a short, narrow necks and wide mouths. They allow the flower bulb to sit with only its roots in the water. You do not need a forcing vase to force a bulb to bloom in water. You can also use a pan or bowl filled with pebbles. Bury the bulbs halfway into the pebbles, with the points facing up. Fill the pan or bowl with water so that the lower quarter of the flower bulb is in the water. Make sure that the pan or bowl always has water.
How to Force a Bulb Inside in Pots and Soil
Flower bulbs can also be forced inside in pots filled with soil. Fill the pot with a light potting mix. Do not use soil from your garden. Plant the flower bulbs you will be forcing half to three-quarters of the way deep into the pot. The pointy tops of the bulbs should be out of the soil. Water the bulbs and keep the soil moist.
Caring for Forced Bulbs
Keep your planted bulbs in a cool place, 50 to 60 degrees F. (10-60 C.), until it starts to form leaves. This will help it to form a more compact flower stem, which is less likely to fall over. Once leaves appear, you can move the flower bulbs to a warmer location. They prefer bright, indirect light. Make sure to keep your forced bulbs watered. The roots should always have moisture. Once your forced bulbs have finished blooming, you can cut the spent flowers off and plant them outside. You can find directions on planting forced bulbs outside here. The only exception to this is the amaryllis, which cannot survive outdoors year-round. You can, however, force an amaryllis to rebloom. Learn how to make an amaryllis rebloom here.
-
Elegant Exotics: 8 Beautiful Amaryllis Varieties That Will Brighten Any Holiday DisplayWhether red, pink, white or variegated, the right amaryllis varieties can enhance any living space, especially during the holidays. We round up eight of the most exquisite
-
Forage For Herbs: 7 Tasty And Safe Wild Herbs To Pick Close To Your Own BackyardIn addition to growing your own herbal staples, did you know there are several wild options out there that are safe and tasty – and free? Try foraging these 7 wild herbs
-
Pretty Spring Bulbs For PollinatorsWhat are the best flowering bulbs for pollinators in spring? Click here to find out.
-
Grow An Early Spring Flowering Bulb LawnWant a lawn that nourishes pollinators, never needs weeding, and grows more beautiful every year? We have the lawn for you. Click for more.
-
When To Dig Up Bulbs That Bloom In SummerClick here to learn when to dig up faded summer bulbs of some of the most common ornamentals grown.
-
Corms, Tubers, And Bulbs That Are Deer ResistantWe love tulips, and so do deer! If you have hungry deer and you hunger for spring blooms, this article should help.
-
Care for Bulbs After BloomingIt's tempting to chop down the leaves after you bulbs have bloomed, but you have to resist this urge! Click to learn why.
-
Best Spring Bulbs for Sun and Shade: Bulbs That Grow in Shade and Full SunBulbs are beautiful harbingers of spring. Most flower bulbs thrive in full sun, but what if you have a shaded landscape? Read on for more.
-
Bulb Life Cycle In Winter: What Bulbs Do For Months Under The SnowDormancy in winter doesn't mean nothing is happening with bulbs. It just means you don't see any growth above the ground. Read on for more.
-
How To Plant Bulbs In Pots - Lasagna StylePlanting bulbs in containers is an easy way to create a gorgeous spring porch arrangement, especially when you use the lasagna method.
