How To Force Bulbs

Begin in October by potting the bulbs in clean, sterile, plastic pots. Do not bury the bulbs. The “noses” (where the leaves come out) should be exposed.

High quality potting soil is acceptable, but mixing equal parts potting soil, coir fiber, and perlite (or vermiculite) is even better!

Plant the bulbs close together in the pot. For reference, 6 tulip bulbs, 3 hyacinths, 6 daffodils, or 15 crocus will typically fit into a 6-inch pot. If you’re forcing tulips, the flat side of the bulb should be placed next to the rim of the pot. The largest leaf will always emerge and grow on that side, producing a more attractive looking pot.

It’s extremely important that bulbs be handled with care at all times. Never allow the bulbs to be in temperatures above 65°F.

When planting, the pot should be loosely filled with soil. Don’t press the bulbs into the soil. Allow 1/4-inch of space at the top of the pot so it can be watered easily.

The bulbs should be watered immediately upon planting. Thereafter, the soil should never be allowed to dry completely.

Hyacinths, crocus, and narcissus can be forced in water. Special glass vases are made for hyacinths or crocus.

The bulb is placed in the upper portion and water fills the lower portion. The vase is then kept in a cool, dark room (preferably under 50°F) for four to eight weeks until the root system has developed and the top elongates. At that point, it should be placed in a bright window until the plant blossoms.

Bunch-flowering narcissus, such as Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta), can be grown in shallow dishes of water filled with crushed rocks, pebbles, marbles, or other media. The bulbs should be secured in the medium deeply enough so the basal plate (where the roots come out) is in contact with the water.

Keep them in a cool, dark room for several weeks to ensure root growth, then place in a sunny location. Each bulb will send up several flower stems bearing many tiny blossoms.

Begin by planting your paperwhites in gravel and water the normal way. Once the shoots are about two inches tall, pour out the water you used to start them. Replace that with a solution of water and alcohol. Use this solution instead of plain water from now on to top up your container.

To achieve the proper proportion, you can use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) with water mixed at one part alcohol to ten parts water.

Discard these plants after flowering. They are spent and will not bloom again.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum species) are planted from October to April. It takes approximately 6 to 10 weeks, depending on the variety, to bloom.

Plants bear two to six flowers atop each 12-36’’ stalk. Striking, 6-10’’ blooms come in shades of red, pink, salmon, green, yellow, or white. They may also be bi-colored or striped.

Pot them in containers only slightly larger than the bulb. Usually, a 6″ pot is a good size.
Use potting soil and plant the bulb with about one-third showing above the soil.
After potting, water the bulb thoroughly, allowing the excess to drain away.
Set the pot in a warm spot (65° to75°F) for about two weeks. Then move it to a bright spot.
Keep the soil barely moist until growth begins, then water regularly.

Amaryllis bulbs will bloom again and again, provided they are properly cared for. After flowering, cut off the flower stalk close to the base, but keep the leaves. A leafy Amaryllis makes an attractive house plant even without blooms.

Continue watering and fertilize monthly until the bulb goes dormant in late summer.
Stop watering and feeding in August or September. Allow the plant to dry out completely in the sun or move the pot into a cool, dark room and let the leaves wilt.
Remove from the soil and clean the bulb of dead foliage. Roots should be fleshy and not damaged. Let the bulb remain in this semi-dormant state for five to eight weeks.

To break dormancy, re-pot in a clean container with the top third of the bulb above the soil. Then water and place in a cool, sunny spot. Water sparingly until the first sprout appears, then keep moist. In about eight weeks, the bulb will bloom again.