Forced Bulbs Make Delightful Gifts

Especially during the winter month the fragrance, the color and the magic of spring flowers can brighten a home. An easy way to create your own indoor garden with a succession of color from December to April is with bulbs. Growing bulbs to bloom earlier than normal is called forcing. This technique is particularly successful with spring flowering bulbs. A pot of flowering bulbs makes a delightful gift for any occasion.

Some bulb varieties are easier to force than others. Generally Paperwhites are the easiest, so easy, actually, that they can be grown with just water. Any kind of container that holds water will do, but a shallow, see through one is best. It will help you check the water level and the progress of the roots. It is important to keep the water level just below the bulb. Any higher and the bulb may rot, any lower and the roots may dry out. Sometimes it is a good idea to add pebbles to the container to hold the growing plants in place. Adding a little charcoal keeps the water clean. Having said all that, I want to stress that most plants, including Paperwhites and Amaryllis grow best in in a pot with soil. The type of pot is not critical, just make sure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom. Paperwhites do not need a cooling period. They only need to be planted, put in a sunny spot and they will bloom in three to five weeks.

The great favorite amongst bulbs to plant at this time of the year is the Amaryllis. The stores are full of specially packaged bulbs that come already with their own pot, soil and instructions. Since they are tropical plants they need no cooling period. Just plant them into their pot with potting soil. Leave the top third of the bulb above the soil line. Water lightly at first. After the flower stalk is 1" tall, water enough so the soil is evenly moist but never soggy. Keep in bright light, like a south or west facing window sill, with temperatures of 70 - 75 degrees until the flowers begin to color. While flowering, place them in a cool spot to prolong the flower's life.

There are other bulbs that can be forced, with the Hyacinth at the top of the list. They and many other's, however, need a cooling period of 12 to 14 weeks. For them it is definitely too late for planting for Christmas. Keep this information in mind and start cooling bulbs for next Christmas in August/September.

Article by Elisabeth Mcgill