Extension Communications 3614 Administrative Services Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3614 (515) 294-9915

11/20/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Force Bulbs for Your Own Indoor Spring Display

Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens

Do you have spring-flowering bulbs to plant? If so, you are not alone. Winter creeps up on gardeners very quickly, due in part to fewer daylight hours in the fall. Gardening chores, like planting bulbs, are often left undone.

Although it is not too late to plant bulbs outdoors in mid-November, cold temperatures, rain and even snow may prevent you from getting them in the ground. This week's Reiman's Pick - forcing bulbs - is an alternative to letting unplanted bulbs rot in the garage, creating feelings of guilt.

Forcing bulbs is a science in which we provide an environment that simulates nature by combining the right temperature and duration followed by the right growing conditions to "force" the bulbs into bloom.

You can force several bulb species to bloom including tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, grape hyacinths and crocus. Some varieties of each species are better for forcing than others, but most will work. For best results, only force bulbs that are firm and free of any blemishes.

Shallow containers or bulb pans are specially designed for forcing bulbs, however, any container with good drainage may be used. Bulb pans are about half as tall as they are wide and won't tip over as easily as a taller pot. Plastic pots are convenient and frequently used because they are easy to handle and can be inserted into larger, decorative containers or baskets.

Planting rules for forcing bulbs are a bit different from planting bulbs outdoors. Using fresh potting soil, fill the containers about three quarters full. Spacing isn't an issue in containers because flowering bulbs look best when you put as many bulbs as will fit in the container without them touching each other or the side of the pot. A six- or seven-inch pot will accommodate six tulips, three hyacinths, six daffodils or 15 crocus. Cover the bulbs with just enough soil so that tips of the bulbs are exposed and the top of the soil is at least an inch below the rim of the pot.

When potting tulips, it is a good idea to place the flat side of the bulb next to the side of the pot. This will result is a better display because the first leaf will emerge from the flat side and gracefully cover the edge of the pot.

Water the bulbs thoroughly after planting then check the pots occasionally during cold storage and water when needed to prevent the soil from becoming completely dry.
Label each pot so that you know what variety of bulb and the date that you planted it. Mark your calendar 15 weeks after the planting date to remind yourself when to take the bulbs out of cold storage.

Spring-flowering bulbs require a period of cool temperatures to develop flower buds and a strong root system. To provide this, the pots need to be stored in a cool, dark location at a temperature between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finding a cold, dark storage location can be a challenge. An extra refrigerator is an excellent place so long as apples are not also stored there. The pots can also be stored in an unheated, attached garage next to the house wall or buried in a trench and mulched over.

After 15 weeks, when you will see new yellow shoots emerging from the soil, remove the pots from cold storage and place them in a cool, dimly lit location for a few days. Once the shoots have turned green, move them to a bright location and keep the soil moderately moist. The plants will bloom within three to four weeks.

If you plan to save the bulbs after forcing, remove the flowers after they fade and continue watering until the foliage turns brown and dry. These bulbs can be planted in your garden the following summer.

Forced bulbs will be a major part of the 2004 spring display at Reiman Gardens that begins in January. There are nearly 4,000 pots of various species in the coolers waiting to bring spring to Iowa in the middle of the winter.

Visit Reiman Gardens to see the beautiful seasonal displays Tuesday thru Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. The Gardens are located 1/2 mile north of the Highway 30 Elwood Drive interchange in Ames. The Gardens are closed on Monday. Admission is charged.

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Editors: A color photo, suitable for publication, is available at right. Click on the thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The picture's fullsize photo is 188K. Caption: Potting bulbs

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