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Garden Gate:  Forcing bulbs....  |
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Cindy Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
510 Posts
Cindy
Sparks
Nevada
USA
510 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 29 2006 : 08:56:50 AM
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| I have a few bulbs I'm forcing in the house and all is going well. What I'm wondering is what do I do with the bulb when it's done blooming. I would want to plant it but not sure how to go about it. |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Dec 29 2006 : 12:32:17 PM
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What kind of bulbs are you forcing? Generally, you will want to cut back the stems after the blooms are done and keep the leaves growing for as long as you can while it is in the pot. When the leaves die back, cut them off. You can keep the bulbs in the soil for storage until fall, and then plant as normal.
Or, you can plant them right into the ground in the spring as soon as the ground is workable.
I've done this both ways with daffodils, scilla, and hyacinth. I don't bother with forced tulips -- I'd rather plant new ones in the fall in order to have good tulips for cutting.
Forced bulbs sometimes take a year or so before they will produce flowers in the garden -- they need to get their energy up. Or the flowers will be smaller for the first year. But they will bloom again!
Thanks for the reminder -- I have daffy bulbs to plant into the ground still, and since we have 50 degree weather today, I can do it.
Happy gardening!
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Cindy Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
510 Posts
Cindy
Sparks
Nevada
USA
510 Posts |
Posted - Dec 30 2006 : 5:52:57 PM
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Thanks! They are hyacinth bulbs, and I will try your ideas. I knew if threw out my question, I'd get some help! Farmgirls are SOOOO helpful!
If life gives you scraps, make quilts! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 09:39:16 AM
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I've tried that w/ my paperwhites, I love them so much but after they bloom & I plant them in the garden they don't flower the same ever. I read somewhere that they use up alot of energy by being forced. I guess smaller bulbs do better. Katie-ell gave you great advice & knows more thwen me about them. Good luck.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 3:54:48 PM
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Michele -- Paperwhite narcissus are hardy to zone 9 and would not bloom outdoors in your area. There are some very fragrant narcissus for the garden, however -- try 'Erlicheer' (blooms early!) or 'Sweetness'. The fragrance is soft and lovely -- not the perfume of the paperwhites but still wonderful.
I received a 'thank you' from my bulb supplier this week -- two amaryllis bulbs and some paperwhites for forcing! A wonderful way to start the new year.
Happy New Year, gardeners everywhere. Think spring! |
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westernhorse51
True Blue Farmgirl
1681 Posts
michele
farmingdale
n.j.
USA
1681 Posts |
Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 8:00:15 PM
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Katie-ell thank you so much. I will try them both, I'm trying to have better luck w/ bulbs & I adore paperwhites. Thanks.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
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Garden Gate: Forcing bulbs.... |
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Forcing bulbs....
