Bulb Forcing

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Bulb Forcing

By jamie December 5, 2023

 

Are you looking to bring flowers indoors during the winter months? You can with bulb forcing. Bulb forcing dates back to the mid 1700’s.  Bulb forcing is a gentle art, that can bring you joy and your surroundings color during the dark and cold months of winter.

“Forcing” is to speed up the growth of a bulb, we do this with light, water and heat.  Forcing bulbs can be a rewarding past time.

 

Top Bulbs for Forcing:

  • Amaryllis
  • Hyacinth
  • Paperwhites
  • Daffodil

 

Forcing Methods:

Container: Fill container 1/2 way full of potting mix.  Add bulbs root side down.  Fill in with soil around the bulb 1/2 the height of the bulb leaving the head side out of the soil.

Forcing Vase: Fill vase with water, keep the roots wet.

Gravel: Place gravel or decorative pebbles in a vase or container. Place bulb root side down, fill with water.

Forcing bulbs indoors during the winter months is an exciting way to have flowers year-round.  Some bulbs even have fragrance like paperwhites and hyacinths.

Follow these simple steps and you will be a successful indoor bulb grower.