For many flower gardeners, when the hard frosts arrive and the snow starts to fall, the flower gardening season has come to an end until the first crocuses start to bloom the following spring. However, there is wonderful option to have blooms indoors even during the coldest winter months: forcing perennial bulbs.
By "forcing" a perennial bulb you are essentially tricking the bulb into thinking it is time for it to bloom. This is accomplished by various methods outlined below. But first you should choose perennial bulbs that are easy to force indoors. The top choices I recommend are Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs, which are extremely fragrant (some would say almost overpowering), the Amaryllis which is very popular to force during the holiday season and for which no precooling will be necessary, and Colchicum bulbs - which are perhaps the easiest perennial bulb to force indoors and quick too (some will bloom in just two weeks).
Once you have your bulb selected there are three main methods by which you can force your bulbs indoors: 1) The Pot Method; 2) The Gravel and Water Method; and 3) Water Forcing.
1) The Pot Method. Place the perennial bulbs inside a clay or plastic pot that is already filled about two thirds full with potting soil. If you are using larger bulbs like narcissus or tulips, you will probably only fit three into a six inch pot, but with smaller bulbs like crocuses you can put in twice that amount. Cover the bulbs with soil up to the top of the pot, then place the pot outdoors, preferably in a hole dug in the ground and covered with more soil and leaves. (This will allow the bulbs to get the precooling they need prior to being forced indoors). After about two months, dig the pots up and bring indoors. Initially place the pot in a cool room (like a closet or basement) where the temperature is only about fifty degrees (F), but once the flower stalk have started to form bring it into the warmth and enjoy the blooms.
2) The Gravel and Water Method. This is a favorite forcing method of many because of its uniqueness. Take a glass bowl (preferably clear) and fill it with stones or marbles. Set the perennial bulbs on top of the stones, firming them around the base of the bulbs a bit to prevent them from tipping over, and then fill the bowl with water until the water just reaches the base of the bulbs. You do not, however, want the bulbs actually immersed in the water. The water will feed the roots of the bulb, while the bulb itself remains dry. Place the bowl in a cool dark place for two to three weeks, checking it periodically to ensure there is water up to the base of the bulbs, and then once there is a good root system and some foliage developing, bring it out into the warmth and you will soon have some beautiful bulbs.
3) Water Forcing. This is probably the least common form of forcing, but makes for an interesting project, especially for children. It is similar to growing an avocado plant, if you have ever done that as a child. You will need a perennial bulb and a tall water glass. Take the bulb and stick four toothpicks into each side of the bulb and then balance the bulb on the rim of the water glass. Fill the glass with water up to the very bottom of the bulb (but do not let the bulb be submerged in the water), and then place in a cool dark place for a few weeks (periodically checking to ensure there is enough water in the glass). After that time, move the glass and bulb to a sunny window in a warm room in the house and watch it grow and bloom!
By following any of these forcing methods, you should be able to ensure beautiful flowers from perennial bulbs in your home all winter long.
Author: Michelle Day
About the author:
Michelle Day is an avid gardener and writer living in the Pacific Northwest. She has written extensively about gardening with Perennial Bulbs and Shade Perennial Flowers on her gardening blogs.
Article source: Free Gardening Articles.
