Forcing Bulbs For Gift Plants

Let bulb help solve some of your gift problems. Nearly all of the tougher spring-flowering bulbs may be forced into bloom by Christmas. And the procedure is simple. All you need are containers of any kind—attractive ones being nicest, of course—and either earth, peat moss, water and pebbles, or mineral solutions.

Although growing bulbs in water to which chemicals have been added is probably the simplest way to force bulbs, you may feel safer using good 'garden soil, or, better yet, a soil made up of one-third peat moss, one-third sand, and one-third loam to which has been added a teaspoonful of plant food per pot.

Line container with soil, place bulbs with flat root end down, and cover with soil until tips are just buried. Press soil firmly and water generously. Set covered pots in a cool, dark place or in a well-drained cool garden corner until roots establish, which is usually in three or four weeks.

Then move containers into the light and uncover. After a day or so, place in a sunny window where temperature never gets below 50 degrees or higher than 68 degrees. From now on keep moist. Bulbs that you do not wish to bloom until later may be left in storage until you are ready for them.

Many gardeners prefer to use peat moss for bulb forcing, although the rooting period is longer, usually from six to eight weeks. Fill pot with wet peat moss and bury bulbs with tips just covered. Place in cool, dark and airy spot, and water every other week. When rooted, put out in the light, moving pot closer to the light as the plants grow. Remember, however, that direct sunlight will shorten the blooming period. Keep quite moist all of the time.

Tulips, especially the early-flowering varieties, are easy to force, but soil is required. Narcissus also are easy and grow rapidly in water. Freesias are good and are exceptionally beautiful.

Jonquils, hyacinths, particularly Roman variety in water, grape-hyacinths, scillas, snowdrops, fritillarias, alliums, ixias, crocus, and other spring-flowering bulbs may be forced successfully.

Other tough bulbs that take kindly to indoor forcing are red-gold and gold ranunculus, some kinds of anemones, particularly St. Brigid, bulbous iris, and exciting amaryllis. Force plenty of the amaryllis, for you will want some for yourself! Should any of these bulbs not be in bloom by the holidays, they still make nice gifts and give the recipients something to look forward to pleasurably.