How to Force Bulbs
Some bulbs such as hyacinths and certain narcissi can be bought prepared, or heat-treated to encourage them to flower earlier.
These bulbs, if planted in September can be ‘forced’ to produce flowers for Christmas. Good bulbs for forcing include prepared hyacinths, large flowered crocus and some tulips and daffodils. The most popular narcissus for growing indoors is the highly fragrant ‘Paper White’.
Difficulty Rating:
Time Length: 1 hour
Time of the Year: Oct, Nov, Dec
Choose some healthy prepared hyacinth bulbs for forcing. Ordinary hyacinth bulbs will not produce the same results. Choose a suitable container to grow the bulbs that will look good indoors when the bulbs are flowering. Always wear gloves when handling hyacinth bulbs.
Place a layer of gravel in the base of the container to improve the drainage and cover this with a layer of Bulb Planting Compost.
Position the bulbs onto the layer of compost making sure that they do not quite touch. Plant them with the pointy nose end uppermost.
Cover over the bulbs with Bulb Planting Compost so that the nose of the bulbs is just protruding from the compost. Firm the compost very gently between the bubs, adding more if necessary and then water gently. Place the container in a cool, sheltered, dark place until they start to sprout. Don't put them in the airing cupboard; this is too warm.
When the leaf shoots are about 5cm tall move the container into a cool, light room where the plants can slowly develop. Tall flower stems may need supporting to prevent them from flopping.
