Viewing post #741029 by gemini_sage

You are viewing a single post made by gemini_sage in the thread called Bulb Forcing.
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Nov 28, 2014 8:32 AM CST
Name: Neal Linville
Winchester, KY (Zone 6a)
Bulbs Charter ATP Member Cottage Gardener I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Irises Roses
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Ideas: Level 2
Pot them up close together, with the bulbs just barely covered with potting media (it's typical to see the tops of the bulbs exposed), allowing lots of pot space for root growth. Water just enough to moisten the media, then set the pots in a cool, dark place and allow for rooting and cooling. A refrigerator works well, and I have used my cellar before. Chill times vary a bit from one variety to another, but most sources recommend 6 weeks at about 45F. Some Daffodils require little or no chill time (paperwhites and other tender tazetta hybrids), so it can vary. Pots should be checked from time to time for moisture- they won't need much, but shouldn't dry out. The roots often force the bulbs out of the media, and I gently push them down from time to time. You should see roots in the drainage hole by the time they're ready to bring into warmth and light.

After rooting/cooling, bring them into a cool, well lit space to grow and flower. Good light is needed to keep them from getting too tall and lanky. Too much warmth can make them grow too quickly, weak spindly growth, and can cause bloom blast (buds dry up before opening).

Let us know what you get, and about your progress.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi

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