Flower growers have been forcing bulbs to provide cut flowers for many years and if you wish to have bulbs flowering 'out of season' you can to. Tulips, Hyacinths, Crocus and in fact many flowering bulbs can be encouraged to flower with a little help.
Bulbs will naturally flower in a season such as autumn or spring, and flowering is triggered by changing climate. So for spring flowering bulbs like daffodils and hyacinths you need to give them a winter (3 months in the cold) and then bring them out to a spring environment.
All you really need is a little space in the refrigerator or an equally chilly spot and away you go. Remember not to actually freeze the bulbs as this can ruin them, when they grow in the ground they tend to be below the surface and that layer of soil prevents then freezing.
After 12 weeks remove them and place them if filtered light for a few weeks until they start to shoot, and away we go, we now have bulbs flowering out of season.
So Forcing Bulbs Step By Step
- Select the Bulbs to be forced, look for nice firm bulbs with no disease or cuts in them
- Use plastic pots and a good free draining potting mix
- Plant Bulbs with the tip just at surface level (try 4-5 in each pot)
- Do not pack the soil but water in gently and allow to drain
- Now the tricky part, keep them in a place where the temperature will stay at around 40 F (4 C) for 3 months DO NOT ALLOW TO FREEZE
- After the 3 months of 'winter' bring the bulbs out into a filtered light and away they will go.
- Water and fertilise as normal and move them to a sunnier position once they show good sign of growth, avoid direct hot sun through windows and such.
Hyacinths are so popular that they have their own, forcing jars, but you can use them for other bulbs as well. These forcing jays usually come with instructions.
So what bulb can be forced : Tulips, Hyacinths and Daffodils are favourites, you can also try Crocus, Chiondoxia and Dutch Iris
|
