You should never put your bulbs in the freezer. Freezing temperatures will destroy the plant tissue and kill the bulb. To "force" them, bulbs actually require a long period of chilling in a standard refrigerator (not the freezer), an unheated garage, or a root cellar.
You can just place them in a refrigerator but some people have good results keeping them in an unheated garage or a cold frame as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 20°F. Crowd the bulbs in your container for a full flower display (L) and be sure the bulbs are sticking out of the soil about halfway (R).
Many small bulbs such as crocus, grape hyacinth and snowdrops also may be forced. The general procedure for forcing all these bulbs is similar. Begin by buying only top-quality, flowering-size bulbs for indoor forcing. Good bulbs contain food reserves necessary for successfully producing roots, leaves and flowers.
Allow the top couple of inches of the bulb, called the shoulder, to remain above the soil line. Water the new planting well and place in a bright window. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not sopping wet. The blooming amaryllis stalks can be cut and used in floral arrangements or singly in a vase.
To perform well, they must be placed in a refrigerator (not a freezer) for 6 to 12 weeks before planting. For detailed instructions on how to prechill, read our article How to Prechill Spring-Flowering Bulbs.
Yes, but only if your garage never freezes. Canna rhizomes (often called bulbs) will turn to mush and die if exposed to freezing temperatures. Ideally, your storage space should remain between 40∘F and 50∘F.
To force crocus bulbs indoors, you must mimic winter by providing a 12 to 15-week chilling period between 35∘F35 raised to the composed with power F35∘F and 45∘F45 raised to the composed with power F45∘F. This creates the root system necessary for the bulbs to sprout and bloom.
To wake up a dormant amaryllis bulb, clean off old foliage and repot it in fresh, well-draining soil so that the top 113 to 112 of the bulb remains exposed. Water it thoroughly, then place the pot in a warm (68∘F68 raised to the composed with power F68∘F to 75∘F75 raised to the composed with power F75∘F) spot with bright, indirect sunlight until new growth appears.
Forcing bulbs indoors is a simple gardening technique that tricks spring-blooming bulbs into flowering during the winter. Most outdoor bulbs (like tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths) require 10 to 15 weeks of chilling. You can bypass this cooling step completely by buying pre-chilled bulbs, Amaryllis, or Paperwhite narcissus.
Yes, you can absolutely grow an amaryllis in water. This method offers a clean, modern look and requires very little maintenance.
Spring flowering bulbs usually need a rooting period of 12 to 15 weeks at temperatures between 41-48°F to produce a good root system. That's essential to be “forced” into flower. Commonly forced bulb flowers are amaryllis, paper-white narcissus, muscari and hyacinths.
Adding a splash of vodka to tulip water keeps your arrangement standing tall and fresh. The alcohol acts as a growth retardant for the stems—preventing them from stretching and flopping over—while also slowing down the production of ethylene gas and fighting off bacteria.
Saving an amaryllis bulb is incredibly rewarding if you enjoy the gardening process, but it requires a commitment to a specific yearly cycle of feeding, resting, and forcing.
Water deeply, then place the container in a cool, dark spot (40 degrees Fahrenheit) for the chilling period. A refrigerator, basement, or unheated garage are suitable spots. Once chilled, move the container to a warm, sunlit area, watering as needed to encourage growth. In a few weeks, the bulbs should bloom.
To prepare an amaryllis bulb for next year, cut off the faded flower stalk. Treat the bulb like a normal houseplant in a bright window. In summer, move it outdoors. In fall, stop watering to induce dormancy, store it in a cool, dark place for 8-12 weeks, then repot it.
Although we usually think of forcing Daffodils, Hyacinths, and Tulips, many of the smaller bulbs are also extremely easy and gratifying to force: Crocus, Muscari (Grape Hyacinth), Scilla, Dwarf Irises, and Anemones also will give great results.
Forcing bulbs on stones
Some “stone” options are pea gravel, river rock, glass chips and marbles. Set the bulbs on top of the stones then add a few stones around each bulb to anchor them and keep from tipping.
Yes, you can absolutely force daffodil bulbs. Forcing allows you to enjoy bright, cheerful blooms indoors weeks or even months ahead of their natural spring schedule.
Keep Bulbs Cold But Not TOO Cold
This means you'll need to store your potted bulbs through the winter in a place that stays colder than 48° F most of the time but that doesn't get as severely cold as it is outside. A simple pot of bulbs can have a dramatic impact. Photo by tanyasgarden.blogspot.com.
To get an amaryllis to rebloom for Christmas, force a 2–3 month dormant period by stopping water and storing the bulb in a cool (50--55∘F), dark place in late August or early September. Bring the bulb out to a warm, bright spot and resume watering in late October or early November to ensure blooms 6–8 weeks later.
Cut the flower stalk between 1/2 inch and 1 inch above the bulb with a sharp knife or pruners. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Water the plant whenever the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Fertilize it every two to three weeks with half the recommended strength of an all-purpose balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Amaryllis bulbs can take from 4 to 8 weeks from planting to bloom; have patience! Water sparingly until you see the tip of the first bud appear then water once a week. Be careful not to overwater your plants, as this could cause young roots or even the bulb to rot.
Adding vodka to paperwhites acts as a growth regulator that prevents these tall flowers from becoming top-heavy and flopping over. The alcohol slightly stunts stem and leaf growth, resulting in shorter, sturdier plants without affecting the size or fragrance of the blooms.
Bulbs can be forced into bloom through cold treatment and then placing them in a cool, sunny window in your house. Bulbs should be firm and free of mildew and mold. Select pots that are six to eight inches deep, have good drainage and will fit into your refrigerator.
Different types of bulbs require different chilling periods, generally 12 to 16 weeks. As long as they have had the minimum time that they need, the bulbs should perform well. For chilling, the basic requirement is a cold, dark space where the temperature is below 50°F and above 32°F; generally 40 to 45°F is best.