Forcing Bulbs Indoors
One doesn't have to wait until spring to enjoy the fragrance and beauty of springtime blooms - just force some bulbs indoors.
Forcing is the process of speeding up a bulb’s development by simulating the conditions of winter and spring - it's a way of fooling Mother Nature and tricking the bulb to bloom before its natural time. Recently, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, planted several separate containers - some with amaryllis and some with narcissi bulbs - all of which will erupt with beautiful color later this season.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Forcing bulbs is one of the easiest gardening processes. Any waterproof container can be used for forcing bulbs – just be sure there is about three to four inches of space below the bulbs to accommodate root growth.
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- I’m forcing several different varieties of narcissi paperwhite bulbs and amaryllis bulbs from Colorblends Wholesale Flower Bulbs in Bridgeport, Connecticut and John Scheepers in Bantam, Connecticut. Varieties include Amaryllis ‘Red Victory,’ Amaryllis ‘White Candle,’ Amaryllis ‘Mandela,’ Amaryllis ‘Flamenco Queen,’ Amaryllis ‘Alfresco,’ and Narcissus ‘Ziva.’
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- The first step is to gather the right materials. Ryan uses a potting mix that includes perlite and vermiculite for good drainage. I use Miracle-Gro Potting Mix formulas.
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- We save all the shards from broken clay pots for covering the inside bottom holes when planting.
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- The shards help with drainage and to keep the soil from leaking out of the vessel.
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- Ryan starts to fill the pot with potting mix – this mix is very light with good aeration, which is crucial for healthy root growth.
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- Ryan fills the pot to just about an inch under the rim. Depending on the size of the bulbs, one can fill a bit less.
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- Next, using his hands, Ryan carefully places each bulb. The bulbs should be placed deep enough so they can be fully covered. Ryan gently pushes each bulb down into the soil, so it is well-anchored. And remember, pointed end faced up and root end facing down.
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- Ryan uses enough bulbs to fill the container. They can be crowded together or spaced out.
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- There are two types of bulbs for indoor growing: those you need to chill and those you don’t. These bulbs do not need chilling. These can either be forced using soil or by using gravel and water. Ryan uses soil. These bulbs will grow easily in well-drained soil and good daylight.
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- Ryan fills the pot with more potting soil mix to cover the bulbs.
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- He spreads the soil evenly over the bulbs with just the tips showing through the soil.
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- Here he fills a smaller pot with bulbs. When planting bulbs, be sure any bulbs used are heavy and free from mold, mildew, discoloration, or a peeling outer shell.
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- Make sure the bulbs are all facing upward and are straight.
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- Ryan adds more soil mix to this container and then pats it down to anchor the bulbs. He also adds a generous amount of Miracle-Gro Osmocote fertilizer – small, round, yellow coated prills covering a core of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
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- To some pots, Ryan also adds some gravel as a decorative top dressing. Gravel can help to keep the bulb stems in place.
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- And that’s it. Ryan planted a good number of pots in less than an hour. The pots will be placed on shelves in my hoop house where they will get light, humidity, and water to help them grow.
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- Here are the pots just days later in my hoop house. They are already showing some new growth.
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- Paperwhite narcissus produces clusters of flowers on 12- to 18-inch-tall stems.
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- Amaryllis bulbs usually measure about three to six inches across and when in bloom should have beautiful large colorful flowers atop 12- to 24-inch straight stems. When forcing, be sure to keep the soil moist but not wet. Water only when the top inch or two of the potting mix is dry to the touch. Overwatering at the beginning of the growth cycle will cause the bulb to rot. I’ll have pots of gorgeous blooms in several weeks.
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