The age-old tradition of forcing bulbs into bloom is experiencing a resurgence, capturing the fascination of modern gardeners. Specially prepared bulbs, such as Paperwhite narcissus, take center stage during this time of year, adorning homes for the upcoming holidays and serving as delightful gifts to spread cheer.
To achieve optimal performance, these specially treated bulbs need a cool start, with a minimum of ten days in outside temperatures ranging from 5°C to 10°C. This kickstarts root development, leading to robust green leaves and compact flower stems. Keeping the bulbs cool, ideally around 10°C, ensures the emergence of attractive, well-formed plants. As the flower stems break free, bringing them indoors offers the pleasure of watching the blooms develop, releasing their unique perfume once fully open.
Prepared hyacinths follow a similar process, with added compactness and a more potent fragrance. Waxed and painted bulbs, a trend gaining popularity in the Netherlands, involve dipping hyacinth bulbs in colored wax solutions for added aesthetic appeal, although this method is not widely available globally.
Amaryllis, with their large, stunning flowers, contributes to indoor winter color. While pre-started, in-bud potted amaryllis are readily available, many enthusiasts prefer starting the bulbs themselves for a personal touch. When planting amaryllis bulbs, leaving the top one-third exposed above the soil creates a distinctive look. Cool windowsill placement ensures slow development for started amaryllis bulbs.
Waxed and painted amaryllis bulbs are a creative addition to the forcing bulbs trend, containing everything needed for beautiful flowers without producing roots. This innovative gift idea is gaining popularity.
For those dealing with non-prepared bulbs, careful selection is essential. Tete-a-tete daffodils, hyacinths, and crocuses are excellent choices for forcing. Smaller pots in the four-to-six-inch range, with a soil mix containing about 25% sand, provide optimal conditions. European gardeners are adopting a new approach, placing bulbs on top of the soil for added beauty.
After planting, bulbs require a four-to-six-week cooling period outdoors, allowing roots to develop and flower stems to emerge. Protecting them from freezing while encouraging root growth is crucial during this stage. Once rooted and showing stem growth, these bulbs can be brought indoors for blooming.
Despite the wet fall, garden stores still offer a good selection of bulbs ideal for forcing. Starting them promptly not only ensures a vibrant display but also provides inexpensive and appreciated gifts for friends and family to enjoy well beyond the Christmas season.
Remember, keeping them cool is the key to the best results.
