Forcing Bulbs

Plant: Hyacinth

Term: Forcing Flowers

Hyacinth

• Plant type: Interior Plant, Perennial • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6a to 9a • Height: 9" to 12" Spread: 3" to 5" • Exposure: partial shade to full sun • Blooms Color: Early to Mid spring, Blue, Pink,

Purple, Red, White, Yellow• Very strong fragrance• Plant in fall for spring flowers• Keep foliage as long as possible after blooming• Will live for 3-5 years

Forcing Flowers

• Causing plants to bloom outside of their normal season

• Flowers can be “forced” by altering their light and or temperature requirements for blooming

Forcing Bulbs

• Most bulbs have a 12 – 15 week cold requirement (vernalization) before they will bloom

• Under normal conditions bulbs vernalize outdoors

• Refrigeration can take the place of winter• Bulbs will bloom when returned to warm

temperatures• Can get blooms in February instead of April

One season

• Bulbs that have been forced will never bloom again

• Bulbs that grow outdoors must store enough energy in the spring when they have leaves, to reproduce and bloom again the next year

• Don’t cut back the foliage

Potting Bulbs

• Put 1 – 2” soil in pot.

• Place bulbs in spaced closely

• Cover w/ soil to tips, but leave tips exposed

• Water

• Tulips – flat side out

Planting Bulbs

• Set the bulb at the correct depth

• Make sure you place the bulb right side up in the hole

Paperwhites

• Christmas bulb

• Do not require a cold period

• Can grow in water only

• Can get too tall & fall

• Can stunt growth with alcohol

Flowers from bulbs

• Daffodils• Tulips• Anenome• Alium• Crocus• Hyacinth• Freesia• Muscari