Flowering Bulbs & Garden Seeds

This Christmas create a living centerpiece or add a colorful accent to any room with blooming amaryllis and paper whites. While you’re in the gardening mood, plant up an array of mixed bulbs to force indoors. You will be enjoying the spring fragrance of hyacinth and the vibrant color of tulips and daffodils while the ground outside is still frozen.

Forcing Bulbs

Step by Step Forcing Bulbs:

1. Select a pot that’s not too small so that several bulbs can be planted at the same time. Cover the bottom with a layer of pot shard or clay marbles for better drainage.
2. Partially fill the pot with potting mix and pat it down lightly. Next, press the bulbs slightly into the mix, they can almost be touching each other. Place the tulip bulbs with their flat side toward the wall of the pot.
3. Put additional potting mix in the pot so that the tips of the bulbs disappear under the soil. Water the soil liberally to encourage rooting.
4. For good results, it is essential that the bulbs remain in a cool area (about 48? F) for the amount of time indicated, preferably in a dark place, although this is not critical. In this pamphlet, you’ll find everything you need to know about the cool temperature treatment that planted bulbs must undergo. If you don’t have a cool area available, the pots can be buried in the garden for the appropriate period, provided it’s not an excessively wet spot.
5. As soon as the first buds emerge from the bulbs, the pots can be brought into a cool room with good light.

The table below shows how long the flower bulbs have to be cooled and when you can expect them to blossom. The planting period is from early in September to December 1. It will take about 2 to 3 weeks before the flowers are in full bloom.

Forced bulbs will not bloom again.

How to Re-bloom Amaryllis

After flowering, the bulb should be kept growing indoors. Add a little plant food from time to time. When the chance of frost outside is past, take pot with plant and plant this in the garden, preferably in semi-shade. Fertilize occasionally until mid July. This treatment will enable the bulb to regain strength and firmness lost while producing flowers. Before any frost occurs, usually late September, take the pot and the plant out of the soil. Store the bulb in a dry place about 65º and stop watering completely. The foliage will gradually turn yellow and when it has done so, you may cut off the foliage 2 inches above the top of the bulb. Leave the pot dry and undisturbed for a period of 2 months. Then repot and place in a sunny window watering moderately and allowing the plant to dry out slightly between watering. Wait 4-6 weeks to bloom.

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