Indoor Flower Bulb Forcing techniques

"Forcing" is the term used to describe the process that stimulates bulbs to bloom out of season. Among the most commonly forced bulb flowers are amaryllis, paper-white narcissus, muscari and hyacinths. Certainly they are the easiest. However, other bulbs that can be forced include colchicum and miniature iris.

In Holland, I always planted my bulbs in the Autumn, most of the time at the end of October. The trick was to wait until the greeners went out to plant bulbs on public lawns. Bulbs need the winter cold to stimulate the blooming process.

After I settled in Canada, I asked my mother in The Netherlands to go to a Greenery to buy me Flower Bulbs. This was the cheapest way, even when taking the shipping costs into consideration. Too bad the Canadian Customs Officials confiscated this package. They told me I did not have an import license and that only packages from licenses exporters are being let through. Now I knew I had to buy flower bulbs from within Canada.

I looked on the web and found only a few online Dealers. The only problem was the money: those flower bulbs were much more expensive than I was used to.

Then one day, I was in Wal-Mart and saw Flower Bulbs at a acceptable price: 8 bulbs for $7.95. Still way more expensive, but okay... I bought one package and did some research on the origin. It shocked me: the bulbs game from exactly the same supplier as the ones I ordered from Holland. And even more important: exactly the same quality.

Since it gets pretty cold here in the end of October, the flower bulb seasons ends in the 1st week of November. My wife and I went back to Wal-Mart (3 hour drive) and bought almost all the packages of Flower Bulbs at a discount (only $2.00 per package).

So where and when to buy your Bulbs?
- Close to the end of the planting season at your local Wal-Mart or other Supermarket. If you want "special" (read: expensive)flowers, you still need to find a specialized store.

Bare bulbs can be stored for several weeks in your refrigerator prior to potting without damage if they are packed properly.

The best way to store them is in a mesh bag or paper bag with holes that permit ventilation. You don't have to worry about water, as the humidity inside a refrigerator is usually high enough. Check them periodically to make sure they are not molding or drying out.

The cooling period depends on the flower type. I generally leave the bulbs in the fridge for 4 to 6 weeks, but some people prefer even longer periods. Use one of the veggie drawers to store your bulbs. Put nothing else in the drawer, since veggies and fruit can produce fumes which damage the bulbs.

Buy a premium quality indoor potting soil. The cheap stuff will not do, since it dries out very quickly. You will also need some clean sand or fine clean gravel. You can also use the more expensive soil drainagers.

To make your soil, mix 2/3 soil with 1/3 sand or gravel. Mix very well and moisture a bit.

For containers, I always use cheap white beer cups. These are strong and it is very easy to make two drainage holes in the bottom.

Fill each beer cup with 1/3 gravel or sand, then add your soil mix. There must be enough room left in the cup to place a bulb full length.

Use a spray to moisture the soil in your containers.

If you decide to plant your flowers in the garden, you can easily cut away the beer cups.

Take one container and place one or a few bulbs in there. Make a dent in the soil to stabilize a bulb in it. It does not matter if the bulbs are toughing each other.

You can choose to cover your bulbs with some soil. If you do this, remember to leave the tops uncovered. Personally, I never cover the bulbs. I like the way they look!

Store your bulbs in a dark room for about 3 to 6 weeks. The temperature must be between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. This is the rooting period. When you see 3 centimeter green leaves come out of the bulbs, it is time to move them to your living room. But do not place them in direct sunlight yet!

Enjoy the colours and the Scent.

Remember, if you want flowers during the whole year, plan your steps carefully. Flowers last about 4 to 6 weeks, so that means 6 cycles per year.

I have some more information, which I will post later this week.

OK Don't worry, you are never too late. Even when the ground is frozen. Just follow these steps.

1. Remove snow are crap from your spot.
2. Poor boiling water over the exposed ground.
3. Place your bulbs in the correct position and press them into the wet ground.
4. Pour about 20 centimeter of good quality bagged soil over all the bulbs.
5. Let the snow work as isolator.
6. Enjoy nice bulbs in spring.

Does it really work? It did for me!