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The bulbs that I am forcing have started to bloom. I put one hyacinth in a forcing glass into the basement on November 29th. I potted the rest up on December 5th. I brought them all up when I saw green tips emerging from the bulbs. I now realize this was too early. According to Old House Bulbs, they are supposed to have at least eight weeks of chilling to
develop the gibberellic acid which allows bloom stalks to lengthen. I was too impatient. Even though they are barely emerging from their leaves, they still smell nice and brighten my day. And here’s another odd thing: the bulb on glass was put down in the basement a week earlier, but the ones in the pot are blooming first. I wonder why?
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I also am forcing some ‘Grand Soleil d’Or’ tazetta narcissus. According to
Brent and Becky’s Bulbs, these are “best rooted at 50-60 degrees; then kept at 65 degrees with bottom heat of 70+ degrees to ensure bloom.” I kept mine in the basement (which is about 50 degrees F) for two or three weeks, then brought them up to the kitchen, which is usually about 70F. But they aren’t getting bottom heat. I’m glad I followed
Elizabeth Licata’s advice and planted them fairly deep inside a tall, narrow container, because the tallest flower stem is eighteen inches long and leaning against the side of the glass.
I was surprised by the small size of the flowers
The small flower on the very long stem would look pretty ridiculous to anyone not half starved for the sight of flowers. Me, I’m excited to see it blooming. How ’bout that, it actually worked!
And there's more coming!
Inspired by the words of Elizabeth Lawrence, “We can have flowers nearly every month of the year,” Carol of May Dreams Gardens started Garden Bloggers Bloom Day. On the 15th of every month, garden bloggers from all over the world publish what is currently blooming in their gardens, and leave a link in Mr. Linky and the comments of May Dreams Gardens.
Tagged as:
forcing bulbs,
Garden Bloggers Bloom Day,
hyacinths,
Narcissus
About the Author
Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.
When dealing with frost it is always best to be paranoid. In the spring never think it is too late for one more frost to come. And in the fall never think it too early.
~Rundy
in
Frost
Hyacinth are so lovely, the fragrance is heavenly.
I’m having a seed giveaway at my blog if you’re interested in free seeds š
Hi!
just a Q? I planted some bulbs indoors (I am in CT) in Nov hoping they would bloom for spring (guests coming š in spring) but now I see the tulips are already blooming(gorgeous) maybe due to the heat indoors -can I salvage this any way,the shoots are just coming up..Can I trim them:-) Advice appreciated..
There is no way you can stop the blooming tulips in time for spring guests. The blooms will stay nice longer in a cool room, but they’re not going to last more than a week and a half to two weeks. If you have other bulbs that are just emerging, keeping them very cool (just above freezing) will slow them down. It sounds like you wanted them blooming inside about the same time they were blooming outside. I think to accomplish that, you needed to have the potted up bulbs set in the ground outside, and then lift them and bring into the house a few weeks before you want them to bloom. But I’ve never done that myself, so, frankly, I am guessing. You might also contact Brent and Becky’s Bulbs for their advice.
I didn’t force a single bulb this year – but that will never happen again.
Hyacinths will bloom without the cold treatment. They do survive better with the cold treatment however. This goes for transplanting them outside as well. Hyacinths put through the cold treatment will survive outdoors after blooming. Those not subjected to “winter” in my experience do not return when planted outdoors.
Can’t blame you for lack of patience…what gardener has patience this THYME of year.
Greg Draiss
Forcing bulbs is the perfect way to keep gardening alive in the winter months. I’m expecting crocus soon.
I adore daffodils! The have always been my special favourite!
I’m starved for blooms as well, thank you for sharing yours! Love the bulbs in marbles, next year I’m going to try them…finally.
Ah, ha! So that gibberish acid stuff development is needed in the cold temperatures. I wondered why my indoor hyacinths looked, well, like yours when they bloomed. And they took f o r e v e r ! Still loved them.
The marbles in the forcing jar are a nice touch. I’ve never seen them used like that before. Thanks for the little spring preview.
Christine in Alaska
Forced bulbs seem even more magical to me than the ones outdoors. Yours are a delight!
Wow. It’s amazing to see the growth of these plants. This is the first time that I saw such a beautiful plant. Herbs too can grow inside. Here is how it should be done. growing herbs in pots and
growing herbs for profit
It does seem to work and I have the same hyacinth with one little flower emerging.
We have to take heart in these wonderful indoor bulbs blooming. I like the marbles around the bulb. It makes it colorful while you wait. I did the same thing with my narcissus that I forced this year. Won’t be long Kathy. Spring has to find us one day.
Yes, right now, any bloom is a great bloom. I’m glad you’ve got something you like and it smells good too. Happy Bloom Day.~~Dee
Cute little blooms.
Are your Hyacinths all the same variety? If so, then your experience with the different forcing methods is really curious. Now I’m wondering if I brought my bulbs in too soon. Oh, well, time will tell.
It’s all a learning experience and so much fun! It’s like magic, especially in the middle of winter. Happy Bloom Day.
I had the same experience. I put amaryllis bulb in a pot and amaryllis in water, and the one in the pot opened first. š They are probably more comfortable and getting what they need in the soil, I’m guessing. Enjoy!
It’s fun!