How to Grow Spring Bulbs in Pots Inside
In the coldest months of January and February, you can bring spring indoors early by "forcing" bulbs, or growing them in containers. If you pot bulbs in early fall and allow a cooling off period that simulates the time they would spend in the ground in winter, then you will have great springtime color. Some of the best bulbs for indoor forcing include tulips, daffodils, crocus, hyacinths, narcissi and irises. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Container with a drainage hole
- Pebbles or shards of clay pottery
- Potting soil,
- Peat moss
- Sand
- Vermiculite
- Bulbs
- Plastic garden stake
- Marker
- Refrigerator
Instructions
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1
Mix potting soil, peat moss, sand and vermiculite in equal portions for your planting mix. Moisten the mixture to a damp consistency.
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2
Place pebbles or clay pottery shards over the drainage hole of your container.
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3
Fill the container halfway full with the potting mix.
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4
Place bulbs in the container with the point-side facing upward. The points should be level with the top of the container. Place the bulbs as close together as possible without actually touching. Bulbs with a flat side, such as tulips, should be planted with the flat side facing the edge of the container.
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5
Fill the pot with the remainder of the soil. Water the pot thoroughly.
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6
Label a garden stake with the marker. Print the name of the bulb, date of the planting and the date to bring the pot out of cold storage.
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7
Store in a cool, dark place such as a spare refrigerator for up to three months to promote root development. Temperatures in your cold storage area should be consistently 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, your bulbs should not freeze. Pots should be kept well watered.
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8
Bring the potted bulbs inside when they are ready to be forced.
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9
Place the pots in a well-lighted, well ventilated place where temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep bulbs well-watered as they grow.
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Tips & Warnings
To re-plant bulbs outdoors after forcing, mix one teaspoon of 5-10-5 fertilizer per quart of soil. Hyacinth, crocus and narcissi can be grown in pebbles and water with no additional nutrients. However, you will not be able to re-plant them after growing them this way.
