Forcing Spring Bulbs

Virtually any bulb can be persuaded to bloom if properly planted and maintained, but your best bets, in descending order of ease, include paperwhite narcissus, hyacinth, crocus, amaryllis, daffodils and tulips.

All except paperwhites require chilling--weeks and weeks of chilling in the refrigerator or a cold frame outdoors (and in some cases, special potting mixes as well). But forcing paperwhites is nearly foolproof and will serve as our example.

Ordinarily, all you need is a container with a drainage hole. However, in this case it's better that the container not have a drainage hole because the bulbs will literally sit in water.

Begin by placing the bulbs in a container. Feel free to pack them in tightly. Fill the container with pebbles, and add water to the top of the container. Maintain that water level as best you can. Then place the pot in a sunny windowsill, and in approximately three weeks, the paperwhites will be in full bloom.

These bulbs are appropriate for forcing: Daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus, snowdrops and Iris reticulata.

Also in this Episode

Gardening by the Yard : Episode GBY-408
•	Forcing Branches
•	Forcing Spring Bulbs
•	Trees in Winter
•	Double-Digging
•	No-Work Garden