Bulb Forcing

Of the 12 bulbs I forced I did get a few pretty ones. Three remain in the dark in the basement, one is below, and three waiting to emerge on the dining room table. The living room smelled wonderful today. I like the pastel ones the best. When I order some for the fall this year pink, yellow, and white might be my choices. Would also like to try tulips, anemone, narcissus other than paper whites, and dwarf irises. You can start pre-ordering fall bulbs in March. Longfield Garden and Brent and Becky's  already have fall bulbs on line. Brent and Becky's have pre-cooled bulbs that can be immediately forced because they've already been chilled. They're not shipped until mid December through mid January though.

It's recommended that hyacinths are chilled for 8-12 weeks in the dark in a cool refrigerator or room like a basement or garage that does not freeze. They can be forced in bulb forcing containers like mine in water, on top of pebbles with added water, or in soil. The water should not touch the bulb or it may rot. During this time they develop roots. After the 12 weeks they're brought into the light in a room that's warm but not hot to continue growing and bloom. I've read different length's of time for forcing hyacinths including up to 8-10 weeks.The bloom and flower stalk are already inside the hyacinth along with all the nutrients it needs to grow. So you would think that they all would emerge perfectly, but I've learned that if not given enough time to chill or develop roots I may not get the perfect looking bloom. As evidence above. The last 4 bulbs brought up from the basement are malformed. Was it a problem with the bulb or forcing? Although my hyacinths weren't started until November the flower stalk had emerged from the bulb before I brought them up stairs. This is recommended. They stayed in the dark on my cold sun porch until forced. Although not in water they had plenty of chill time and you can see the root development. There actually could have been a problem with the bulbs and not my forcing techniques.

There are many good sources of information about how to force bulbs. I'm no expert and still learning. Brent and Becky's has a good book on bulb forcing. There are also many other books on this topic. That book just happens to be the one I purchased several years ago. 

Some web sites that I like with good information on bulbs and forcing are Old House Gardens, White Flower Farm, and one blog that I stumbled upon garden within doors is all about a UK blogger's experience forcing bulbs every year. She has so much good information. Her blog about outdoor gardening is garden without doors. The bulb forcing containers she uses are pretty and colorful. Most of mine are clear factory manufactured glass but many of hers are blown antique glass ones she's collected. I love beautiful vases, glass wear, containers, and pots.

EBay is a good source for collectible vases but they can be expensive. There are also other online sources and of course antique and second hand stores. I located a company that has some new blown glass pastel forcing vases and the price isn't bad. I've also viewed expensive ones newly made. If I order some I'll post them to let you see how they look. 

It's hard for me to believe every year that before spring even arrives, that fall bulbs are on sale. But this is the time to get the best selection and your favorites before they sale out. Don't buy all of them before I order mine.