My MIL does it with great success. She's forced Amaryllis bulbs and Paperwhites, that I know of. Forcing bulbs means getting them to bloom out of season. It's definitely out of season here in ND! Sam's Club had Paperwhites in 25 bulb packs for a great price, so I purchased them the same time I purchased the packs of tulips and daffodils in early Fall (probably in September). I kept half the bulbs for myself and am giving the other half to my MIL.
Supplies Needed:
Large glass bowl or planter
Rocks or glass beads
Paperwhite bulbs
Water
Fill the planter/bowl with about 1 to 1.5 inches of glass beads. My hubby purchased the glass beads (the rocks are covered with snow at the moment) at a local drug store for $1/bag. I used 5 bags, but that will depend upon the size of your container and the size of each bag.
Arrange the bulbs on the rocks. You can put more beads between the bulbs if needed to keep them upright.
Water the bulbs thoroughly and then drain off the extra water to that it reaches to a level just below the bulbs. Set the container in a sunny location and replenish water as needed.
Wait and watch. I have no idea how fast the bulbs will bloom - they usually take about 6 weeks - or IF they will bloom! So, it's wait and watch for me.
Thanks for the idea. This looks really cool!
ReplyDeletei am doing this too suzie. but mine don't look so pretty. especially after some of the bulbs were left out in the rain. i'll post some pictures. let's keep tab on each others' success or failure. i am a horrible gardener. i have a black thumb. but i never give up. and btw. those white ones should be so beautiful and elegant! i hope you have good luck!
ReplyDelete:)
Hi Suzie - I decided to try this too, and I'm hoping to time it to have a few bulbs poppin' out at Easter. I also stocked up on some bulbs plants, and planted most by mid-Oct. or so, but then got sick of digging, and thought of the forcing idea. There is a neat kids book, and I think it's perhaps called 'Paperwhite', about a child visiting a lonely next door neighbor, and doing this activity of forcing bulbs with her. It is a cute and simple one.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to pick up any tips from your experiment!
Loved the pictures from tree decorating, too!! Your family is happy and beautiful - enjoy these last days of Advent! I'll keep everyone posted on Babe v 4.0. ;-)
Laura