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Top 10 Pre-Chilled Bulb Basics
| Bulb Name | Minimum Chill Time |
|---|---|
| Tulips | 12 Weeks |
| Daffodils | 13 Weeks |
| Crocus | 12 Weeks |
| Hyacinths | 12 Weeks |
- How do you chill flower bulbs?
- How long do bulbs need to be cold?
- Should I put my bulbs in the fridge?
- How do you chill bulbs before planting?
- What bulbs can be forced?
- How do you force an amaryllis bulb to bloom?
- How long do bulbs last unplanted?
- Should I refrigerate bulbs before planting?
- What time of year do you plant bulbs?
- Should you soak bulbs before planting?
- What happens if you plant a bulb upside down?
- What to do with bulbs after forcing?
How do you chill flower bulbs?
The highest chilling temperature is around 40 degrees F. (4 C.), so chilling bulbs in the refrigerator is ideal. Just be sure not to store them near any fruit, as the released ethylene gas reduces bloom. Store the bulbs in the refrigerator in a ventilated mesh bag.
How long do bulbs need to be cold?
The ideal chilling period for most spring-blooming bulbs is 10-14 weeks at 35 to 45°F. Exposing bulbs to these cold temperatures stimulates a bio-chemical response that “turns on” flower formation and initiates root growth.
Should I put my bulbs in the fridge?
Chilling the Bulbs
You can keep bulbs cool in a refrigerator, but only if there is no fresh fruit stored inside. The ethylene gas released by fruit during its natural ripening process will interfere with flower development. Better to store bulbs in an extra refrigerator, if you happen to have one.
How do you chill bulbs before planting?
To pre-cool bulbs, put them in the fruit/vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for 8 to 14 weeks. Don't store them with ripening fruit, though, which can give off ethylene gas, which damages the bulbs. Then plant the bulbs immediately in the garden or containers.
What bulbs can be forced?
Forcing Without Chilling
Paper white narcissus and amaryllis are the easiest bulbs to force because they require no chilling. They bloom quickly inside and are great for succession planting — planting at intervals so you can enjoy indoor blooms throughout the fall and winter months.
How do you force an amaryllis bulb to bloom?
You can try to stimulate the bulb by placing it on a warming mat. Then fertilize with a diluted (by half) water soluble food every 2 to 3 weeks. Rotate the pot every few days as growth continues to keep the stalk straight. Depending upon the variety of amaryllis, blooming should take place 6 to 8 weeks after potting.
How long do bulbs last unplanted?
Most bulbs, if stored correctly, can be kept for about 12 months before needing to be planted. The longevity of flowering bulbs is largely determined by the adequacy of the storage provided.
Should I refrigerate bulbs before planting?
The refrigerator supplies the additional chilling they need. These bulbs should be refrigerated at least six weeks to eight weeks prior to planting, which means you need to have had tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator since mid- to late November or before.
What time of year do you plant bulbs?
When to plant bulbs depends on when they bloom. Spring-blooming bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils, should be planted in September or October when the soil temperatures have cooled. Summer-blooming beauties such as dahlia and gladiolus are best planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.
Should you soak bulbs before planting?
The following tips will help you grow healthy, beautiful flowers. Soak fall-planted bulbs for 12 hours in warm water before planting. ... Soaking allows suitable bulbs to absorb enough water to begin growth immediately, saving two or three weeks of time.
What happens if you plant a bulb upside down?
It will still grow, even if it's upside-down, although the plant will be unnecessarily stressed and may eventually die if left upside-down. You can always dig up the bulb after it has finished flowering to see which side the leaves have emerged from (that's the top of the bulb).
What to do with bulbs after forcing?
To Save All Forced Bulbs: Clip off dead blooms, leaving the foliage intact. Set containers in a sunny window indoors, or a bright, but protected spot outside and continue watering as usual. Allow the soil to dry out completely once the leaves have withered and died.
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