Forcing Bulbs: Beat the Winter Doldrums

I realize we are finally on the cusp of spring here in Iowa, but today I was thinking about forcing some bulbs this fall/winter.  It sounds like a really interesting process, and essentially what it does is trick the plant into thinking it’s already gone through winter, so it blooms in the dead of real winter.

THIS link is to a most excellent article about it by the University of Minnesota Extension Office.  Tulips, narcissus (daffodils), hyacinths, and crocus are all popular bulbs to force, and I may even try my hand at an iris or two (they’re my favorite flower).

You’ll have to read through the article to get the whole picture, but the whole forcing process is actually pretty simple; just very time-consuming.  It takes about 15 weeks (~4 months) to prep the bulbs for a winter show.  You start by purchasing the bulbs you would like to force (and you can even mix different kinds in the same pot, as seen in the picture below).  

Plant them in a container with soil, putting them very close together, and leaving their tops exposed.  Put a little more dirt on top of them, and water thoroughly. 

From there, the chilling starts.  Usually you can stick the pots in an unheated basement or attic, or even a bottom section of your fridge (just remember to keep it away from other fruits and veggies; funky chemical reactions will ensue). Throughout the chilling period, check up on the plants once in a while, as the soil needs to remain damp.  

When the tips of the bulbs are green, it’s ready to get them acclimated to warmer temperatures.  Some prefer a more transitional period (50 to 60 degrees, some like darkness for a few days…), but others you can just go ahead and stick right in the sun. 

After a bulb has been forced, its energy is depleted.  It has to be tossed (which depresses me greatly), never to share its happiness again.  On the link mentioned above, they say something about Amaryllis being able to regenerate and be used year after year.  I feel like that’s something to look into eventually, as well…

Forcing bulbs can also be done with just water.  It’s pretty much the same process, minus dirt (and the addition of a sophisticated and specially-designed glass container). 

Now I just need to remember this for this fall…