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Care of Forced Bulbs
From Planting to Bloom
Giving your forced bulbs special after-planting care means they will bloom at the specific time you wish and produce healthy and beautiful flowers.
In the Guide to Forcing charts [see below], note that each forced bulb species needs a specific temperature and time of growth. This period follows the initial chilling treatment and planting.
Let’s take tulips as an example, since they are the most commonly forced bulb species.
Planted after the tulip bulbs received chilling for 8 weeks, the potted bulbs next must be held at 40°F (4°C) for 4–6 weeks, then moved indoors to a temperature of 70°F (18°C) for 2–3 weeks.
The total rearing time from planting to bloom is 6–9 weeks from the time the bulbs were planted.
Skill and experience are helpful in knowing when to end the second rearing period and move the bulbs indoors to warmer conditions.
End the rearing when shoots first emerge. Confirm that the bulbs have grown good roots. When roots are fully developed, move the planted container indoors to area with bright, indirect light and the temperature each species requires.
Follow the same steps for each species of forced bulbs, counting back from the date on which you wish to have flowers for an event or holiday.
You can also lengthen your bulbs’ bloom period by slowing their development after flowers open. Place them in a room with cool overnight temperatures, about 60–65°F (16–18°C).
Guide to Forcing
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- No chilling required.
- Plant and grow at 65°F (18°C) for 3 weeks.
- Blooms at 68°F (20°C) in 3–4 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 10 weeks.
- Plant and grow at 40°F (4°C) for 4–6 weeks.
- Blooms at 65°F (18°C) in 2–4 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 8 weeks.
- Plant and grow at 40°F for 6–8 weeks.
- Blooms at 65°F (18°C) in 3–4 weeks.
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- Chill at 63°F (17°C) for 8 or more weeks.
- Grow at 40°F (4°C) for 6–8 weeks.
- Blooms at 70°F (21°C) in 2–3 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 5 weeks.
- Plant and grow at at 40°F (4°C) for 6–8 weeks.
- Blooms at 68°F (20°C) in 3–4 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 6–8 weeks.
- Plant and grow at at 40°F (4°C) for 6–8 weeks.
- Blooms at 65°F (18°C) in 8 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 8 weeks.
- Plant and grow at at 40°F (4°C) for 6–8 weeks.
- Blooms at 65°F (18°C) in 2–3 weeks.
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- Chill at 40°F (4°C) for 8 weeks.
- Plant and grow at 40°F (4°C) for 4–6 weeks.
- Blooms at 65°F (18°C) in 4 weeks.
Timing Bloom in Forced Bulbs
Following several weeks of chilling and their planting in soil or suspended over water, bulbs must be held in a low-light area at 50–65°F (10–18°C) until they develop abundant roots and green shoots.
When they sprout and develop strong roots, bring them inside into a sunny or bright display location. Keep the room temperature at 65°F (18°C) during the day and 55°F (13°C) at night.
In these conditions, forced bulbs quickly grow foliage, develop flower shoots, and bloom. Depending on species, the total time needed is 12–20 weeks from beginning the chill until flowers open.
Consult the Guide to Forcing chart, above left, for exact recommendation for the most commonly forced bulb species.