Michigan State University Extension
Ornamental Plants plus Version 3.0 - 00000622
11/12/99
Bulbs, Forced
Type: house plant
Comments: To force bulbs successfully a storage area with
temperatures between 35 and 48 degrees will be needed.
Put the soil mix containing no fertilizer in clean,
drained pots. Handle the bulbs carefully and keep them
well ventilated. If stored in a paper bag, keep the bag
open to allow air circulation. Store at temperatures
between 45 and 55 degrees but below 63 degrees.
Plant any time between October 1st and December 1st. For
late flowering, plant late; for early flowering, plant
early. Give planted bulbs 13 to 14 weeks of 35 to 48
degrees. Prior storage time at temperatures between 45
and 50 degrees can be deducted from the 14 week storage
period. Bulbs planted October 1st are ready to force into
bloom in late January.
Loosely fill the pot with enough soil so the bulb tops are
even with the top of the pot. Use the following number
of bulbs for a 6 inch pot: tulips, 6 bulbs; hyacinths, 4
bulbs; daffodils, 6 bulbs; and crocus, 15 bulbs. Plant
tulip bulbs with the flat side facing the outside of the
pot. Do not press the bulbs into the soil. Bulbs root
best when the soil beneath them is loose. Fill the pot to
within 1/4 inch of the top so the plants can be more
easily watered. Label each pot with the variety and
planting date.
After potting, place the pots in a storage area at 35 to
48 degrees. Water the pots well and do not allow them to
dry out during the storage period. Any storage method may
be used so long as the temperature and moisture can be
maintained. Types of storage used are vegetable or
unheated cellars, cold frames, trenches next to a
building, or for small numbers of pots, a refrigerator.
Cold frames or trenches should not receive heat from
buildings. Bulbs stored in a cold frame or trench are
covered once they have been watered. Materials used
include sand, peat, perlite, sawdust and woodchips. Plant
at least 3 weeks prior to hard freezes when outdoor
storage is used.
After 13 weeks in storage, the bulbs may be forced into
bloom. October 1st planting may be taken into the house
right after Christmas. Bring in a few pots at weekly
intervals for continuous bloom. Give the plants 60
degrees and direct sunlight. Three to four weeks are
required to bring the plants into bloom. Fertilization
is not necessary. To save forced bulbs, continue to water
after blooming and provide a well lit growing area until
the foliage turns brown. The bulbs may be set in the
garden in late summer or early fall.
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to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
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This file was generated from data base ZZ on 01/19/00.
Data base ZZ was last revised on 11/12/99.
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