Layering bulbs when forcing

11 years ago

After reading Art Wolk's excellent book on bulb forcing, I went to a garden centre, bought a large plastic pot and 130 assorted hardy spring bulbs. Following Art's advice in his book, I planted all of these in the same pot, in various layers. I think there were four layers in all. Art suggests planting forced bulbs very close together, even touching sometimes, which is contrary to what many others recommend.

The bulbs planted are as follows:

5 Narcissus Glen Clova (yellow/orange)

5 Narcissus Fortissimo (yellow/orange)

5 Narcissus Raspberry Ring (white/light orange)

5 Hyacinth Purple Voice (purple-pink, not true purple)

10 Tulip Princess Irene (red/purple)

10 Tulip Sweetheart (yellow/white)

10 Tulip Praestan's Unicum (red with variegated foliage)

20 Muscari armeniacum (blue)

10 Iris Danfordae (yellow)

10 Crocus Rembrance (purple)

10 Crocus Large Flowering Purple

The pot was watered well, and now sits in my cold cellar for approximately 11-12 weeks, the end of January.

I have the feeling that this is going to look really great or be a total dud. Have to wait and see. My choice of bulbs was limited to what was on sale at the nursery. For example, I had wanted blue hyacinths, but none were left. I had also wanted some dwarf narcissus, such as Tete a Tete, but again, there were none. I had to guess a bit on the actual blooming times, so not quite sure if there will be any colour clashes or not. I am hoping to get a nice sequence of bloom, at least 4 weeks.

Comments (11)

katob Z6ish, NE Pa
11 years ago
You really did dive in, good for you! It should look nice for a long season provided the blooming heights all work out. I never did this my self (layering in pots) but that's because I don't like the look of any fresh new flowers coming up between old fading blooms.

I do have plenty of bulbs outside layered in flower beds, and it's nice to have patches of crocus first and then hyacinths and then tulips and then perennials on top. Always something new coming on to hide and replace last month's show.
kimpa zone 9b N. Florida.
11 years ago
I would love to see pictures of how it transforms through the weeks. Would you be able to to that for us? I have always wanted to see how they really turn out. What a nice project to look forward to!
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Around Christmas time, I got all excited over a photo in a slick catalog of amaryllis, narcissus and hyacinths in a pretty basket together. My narcissus bloomed in 4 weeks, some of the hyacinths are still blooming and the amaryllis have beautiful buds now. Fortunately, I did put them in separate containers. This is usually my experience with bulbs. Even the pink hyacinths all of a kind that I planted in December have bloomed at different rates: some are blooming now and some haven't even come up -- but they're down there, with healthy shoots, because I carefully dug and peeked to make sure. Not all types of daffodils bloom at the same time, nor do all tulips. It takes trial and error to ever 'get it right' and I guess I may never. Every year is different. My understanding of how they get those in the catalogs photographed in bloom together is to transplant them from single pots into a large container when they actually bloom. By moving the pots from cooler to warmer, or warmer to cooler, you can speed or slow them to coincide bloom. Maybe. Nell
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I would like to learn what bulbs (other than paperwhites) are suitable for forcing over just touching water and colored glass/ pebbles. I saw a pot with rocks for sale at BJ's Wholesale Club - it had two large purplish bulbs included - but no directions, or clues to the bulbs on the package - or in it. I am tempted to go back and buy it - just to let it grow and see what they are! I went to an open house this week - where the hostess had placed lots of paperwhites over pebbles in very tall glass vases of different sizes and shapes all over her house....The height of the vase supported the flowers as they grew and they looked beautiful with large lacy gold bows on the vases. I thought that the arrangement was very clever - as my problem with paperwhites over the years has always been their tendancy to fall over when they are fully mature. Any ideas for other bulb choices? Thanks!
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Julie I believe that giant anemones do want cool temps. Have you thought about crocus? You can often get about 100 nice bulbs at Sam's for about $15. They would look great set in pebbles or pea gravel etc in a bowl. You could chill them a while, I usually do because I just toss all the bulbs I buy in the fridge. The return for me in my garden, so they can't be too fussy. I tried calcohortus and was not successful, but that was in the garden. How did your snowdrops (?) or something like that turn out. Oh, I just remembered. My absolutely favorite new-to-my-garden bulb last year was the tiny iris reticulata. More exotic than crocus or might make a pretty little companion. I got mine at the Van Engelen end of year sale and they made me smiles plenty for their small size. I believe the ones I had are Harmony, but here is a pic of the mix. Here is a link that might be useful: iris reticulata mix
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You can chill them unpotted. Takes up less space and can be done in the fridge. Plant them after the chill time is finished. Personally I only force a few hyacinths and buy the bulbs pre chilled so I can get them in flower for Christmas.
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ontnative
Original Author
11 years ago
This layering thing is new for me. I have never even tried it outdoors in my flower beds. I guess I worried about the bulbs crowding each other out. After my big indoor pot flowers, I will separate the different kinds of bulbs and plant them out in the garden. Don't want to waste all that money spent on bulbs. The forced tulips are expendable, but the other species should carry on fine once they have a chance to bulk up again.
I will try to take some pics at different stages, but no promises. There are photos in Art's book showing this same thing.
Art_Wolk
11 years ago
Thanks you, ontnative, for the compliment on "Bulb Forcing for Beginners and the Seriously Smitten." I'm glad you enjoyed it!

How are you going to force the bulbs after giving them a chill?

Art Wolk
ontnative
Original Author
11 years ago
Art, the bulbs are all in a large pot in my cold cellar, where they will stay until approximately the end of January. Then I will put the pot in a low temp room(a spare bedroom with the heat vent closed) where I hope the flowering will begin.

The top layer of bulbs are starting to sprout up now (Dec 23). I hope they don't get too tall before the pot is due to come out of the cold cellar in a month's time.
Art_Wolk
11 years ago
Ontnative: It sounds like you have a good system, as long as the temperature stays between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit. About the top layer bulbs: I think they'll only be a problem if the temperature is too warm. If you start to see flower buds, you might consider placing them in a colder part of the cellar, as long as it's above 32 degrees (0 degrees Celsius). Best regards, Art
ontnative
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for the advice, Art. If I need a colder spot, I can put the container in my unheated garage.
Art_Wolk
11 years ago
Ontnative:

Sounds fine as long as your pots don't freeze solid.

Enjoy your flowers!

Art
ontnative
Original Author
11 years ago
I took my big pot of forced bulbs out of the cold cellar on Jan 21, and put it in an unheated bedroom in front of a southwest-facing window. The first shoots are 2-4" high now.
ontnative
Original Author
11 years ago
I took my big pot of forced bulbs out of the cold cellar on Jan 21, and put it in an unheated bedroom in front of a southwest-facing window. The first shoots are 2-4" high now.
Art_Wolk
11 years ago
Good for you! Now comes pure excitement.

Art

P.S. Just curious: were the roots coming out of the bottom when you retrieved your pot?

Layering bulbs when forcing

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katob Z6ish, NE Pa

kimpa zone 9b N. Florida.

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Layering bulbs when forcing

Comments (11)

katob Z6ish, NE Pa

kimpa zone 9b N. Florida.

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