Forcing Bulbs for Inside Winter Color

Growing bulbs inside is one of the great joys of winter. To get ready, scour store sales and garage sales for containers to plant various bulbs in to give as holiday gifts. There is nothing like the cheer of an amaryllis or daffodil; or a little antique teacup filled with lily of the valley to perk up a gray day! And, best of all, it is easy.

Bulbs that gardeners enjoy planting inside include amaryllis, daffodils, tulips, paper whites, crocus, hyacinth, and lily of the valley. These commonly available bulbs are lovely and adapt to a variety of indoor conditions obligingly. However, the list of plants that can be forced into bloom goes beyond this. Calla lilies, oxalis, grape hyacinth, freesia, and ranunculus are others that you could try.

The package should list the plant’s preferred growing conditions. It is a good idea to use a thermometer to check the temperature of the location that you would like to place a bulb for forcing. Some bulbs and plants may require cooler or warmer locations that you hopefully have conveniently available. Most bulbs require a chilling period of up to six weeks before growing them. A spare refrigerator set at a low temperature works well for beverages… and bulbs. Be sure to store the bulbs in a box with barely moist peat moss so they do not touch each other in storage.

Or, you could place them in pots and keep them outside in a protected area covered with mulch or in a cold frame type structure for a few weeks. Stagger bringing them in so you will have flowers all winter long.

And as long as you are potting up bulbs, you could try growing grass seed in interesting pots to add life to a coffee table or shelf. If you want it for a particular time, allow about two weeks to grow the grass.

To find instructions on forcing bulbs go to http://www.extension.org/ and enter “Forcing Bulbs” in the Search Field. You also can find answers to many gardening questions at our consumer horticulture web site: http://consumerhorticulture.psu.edu/ or contact your local cooperative extension office. In Lackawanna County ask for the Garden Help line at 963-6842 or email LackawannaExt@psu.edu

Terry Schettini, Extension Educator
Penn State Cooperative Extension in Lackawanna County