When you are bored of pussy willows and dusty, dried hydrangeas, and feel it is time to freshen up your flowers, emulate Mother Nature, and force some bulbs indoors. You can get an early jumpstart on spring by filling your home with fresh and fragrant flowers from forced bulbs during the fall months. October (in the Northern hemisphere; April in the Southern) your local garden centre or nursery should have lots of choice. 

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WHAT ARE THE BEST BULBS FOR FORCE?

Consider bulbs that produce flowers of various shapes and heights: skirt-shaped White Petticoat narcissus, towering amaryllis, painted lady iris, delicate grape hyacinths, fragrant and trusty paperwhites, and Glory of the Snow are all good candidates for forcing. 

Large bulbs create big, robust blooms. So, select the largest bulbs you can find and examine each for quality prior to buying. Choose bulbs that are firm; those with soft areas are likely to rot.

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GIVE YOUR BULBS A CHILLING PERIOD

Most common bulbs that are used for forcing need a cool period—which mimics winter—in order to get ready to grow. While they’re chilling, the inside of the bulb is a flutter of activity. Many bulbs from reputable sources come pre-chilled, so check the packaging.

All other bulbs should be placed in a paper bag and put in the refrigerator or another cool, dark place that is not damp. Avoid storing fruit (particularly apples) in the refrigerator at the same time, as ripening fruit releases ethylene gas that can cause bulbs to deteriorate or not flower.

For paperwhites and amaryllis bulbs, you won’t have to worry about chilling, as they’re naturally tropical plants and do not need a cold snap. You can plant them and see blooms in 3 to 8 weeks (amaryllis will take the most time to bloom, and may have several blooms). If you are unable to plant these bulbs immediately after buying them, place them in a mesh or paper bag, and then store them in a cool, dry and dark location. 

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BULBS FOR PLANTING

When choosing your planting vessels, get creative: you can plant bulbs in pots, vases, or even shallow trays, filled with either dirt or rocks. A vintage loaf tin filled with garden pebbles would look great for a rustic feel, or a geometric pastel-coloured planter would beautifully evoke spring. 

Soak the roots of the bulbs in a shallow pan of lukewarm water for a few hours. Fill a pot with potting soil or garden pebbles; insert the bulbs but leave the top two-thirds exposed. Gently tamp down the soil or pebbles around the bulbs. Water until damp, then place in a sunny, warm spot. 

Hyacinth forcing jars (pictured), found at nursery supply stores and online, are hourglass-shaped containers that allow you to grow various bulb types. Fill the bottom part of the vase with water for the roots, and then set the bulb on top. Once your bulbs have rooted you can move the vessel to a bright, sunny spot in your home. Still keep an eye on the water level and they will be taking in more water at this time. Once you begin to see the stem shoot up, it won’t be long (a week or two) until the bulb blooms.

TIMINGS FOR DIFFERENT BULBS

Different flower bulbs require varying periods of cold storage (chilling) to initiate growth. Here's some timings for popular bulbs to help you plan:

Tulips
Chilling time: 12-16 weeks
Blooming time: 2-3 weeks after planting

‍Daffodils
Chilling time: 12-15 weeks
Blooming time: 3-4 weeks after planting

‍Hyacinths
Chilling time: 10-12 weeks
Blooming time: 2-3 weeks after planting

‍Crocuses & Grape Hyacinths
Chilling time: 8-10 weeks
Blooming time: 2-3 weeks after planting

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CARING FOR YOUR FORCED BULBS

Rotate Containers: Turn the containers regularly to ensure even growth and prevent the plants from leaning toward the light source. Keep them out of direct sunlight.

Support Tall Stems: For taller bulbs like tulips, provide stakes or supports to prevent them from toppling over as they grow.

Extended Bloom Time: To prolong the bloom period, force several batches of bulbs at different times, so you have a continuous display of flowers. You can stretch your bloom life up to roughly 20 days if you give it a solid effort.