How would you like to have a month’s worth of fresh flowers in Colorado, Florida, virtually maintenance free? Sound impossible, I thought so too, until she began to force bulbs for winter blooms. There is something about the new flowers in winter, which elevates your mood like nothing else. Follow these steps and soon you will be throwing to the dusty old silk flowers instead of the real thing. From

start with the best:

Increase your chances of success from his garden with the friendly bulbs, as Tulips, daffodils (Narcissus) and grape hyacinth. They should be firm and strong without mold, cuts or early growth. Be kind to them and do not expose to temperatures exceeding 65 degrees.

If several plant pots every two weeks between September and December, you get continuous blooms from December to March. In general, do not mix the types of bulbs, since they have different flowering periods. Choose a pot

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If you are using the method of planting soil, plastic or clay pots work well. The plastic tends to retain water longer, but may not be as attractive as a clay pot. You can always be placed inside a basket or decorative pot. If using a clay pot, it must be soaked in water for several hours before planting, as it will absorb water from the soil. The pots must be superficial (4-5 inches) and long or wide. If necessary, clean before planting out by rinsing with a diluted bleach solution. If so, wait 24 hours before adding your bulbs to ensure the lye is evaporated.

If you are using the method of forcing the water, clear glass containers or large decorative bowls work well.

Types of planting: soil

Method Combine equal parts of potting soil, peat, sand and vermiculite. Do not worry about adding fertilizer, bulbs store their own food. Some stones or pieces of broken pottery in the drainage holes to prevent water seepage from the soil. Partially fill the pots and bulbs in the soil, pointed end, but not too close to each other, to prevent rotting of the bulb. Tulips should be placed against the flat side of the pot so that its leaves form a border around the edge. Now, add enough soil to fill the pot.

The bulbs can be watered by submerging the pot in a full bucket of water or the top. It’sa good idea to label each pot with the name of the bulb and the date planted and the date for removal from cold storage. A daffodil can be forced to rethink on the doors, but it may take a couple of years before it flowers.

Cooling: Cooling

bulbs, encourages them to bloom earlier. Place the pots in a cool place between 45 and 50 degrees - do not let them freeze! An unheated garage or basement works well, keeping them in the dark with a temperature as uniform as possible and water as necessary to prevent drying.

A sign that the plants are ready is when you see the roots of peak drainage holes of the pot, here are some guidelines for the cooling time required for different bulbs: < , br /> Grape hyacinth
: 13-15 weeks

Daffodils: 15-17 weeks

Tulipanes 14-20 weeks
If
many containers of plants can be introduced into heat in 2 weeks, not hurt them to the left of cold storage in a little more.

Forcing bulbs:

Once cooled properly, the bulbs are ready to come into the light, and finally flowering. Do so gradually, giving them partial shade at first and then the introduction of direct sunlight. Water and Rock

Method

Find a lower container for drainage and fill with rocks or decorative stones. White rocks in a clear bowl look nice against the green leaves and flowers. Add lamps to defend their own among the pebbles. Fill the pot only to the base of the bulbs, you should not cover more than 1 / 8 inch or bulb rot. Go to the top as the plant dries, take care not to over water.

If you use the white paper: the place in a sunny and flowering 4 to 6 weeks.

All others: Place in a cool, shaded bulbs bloom in 8 to 12 weeks. At this point, you can gradually introduce a sunny spot.