Banish February blues with bulbs

Zoomer | February 1st, 2004

Between the holiday season and the first melt of spring Canadians can begin to feel shut in and surrounded by shades of grey.  One way to banish the “drearies” from your home and mind is to start a garden indoors. Forcing some bulbs will give you a taste of summer gardening as well as providing your home with a splash of living colour.

Amaryllis is easy to start
You often find Amaryllis available for forcing over the holidays, but bulbs sold during the months of November and December should still be ready to go.  They can be forced over water – do not let the bottom of the bulb touch the water – or grown in soil in pots.

If you choose a pot, good drainage is important, but Amaryllis can also often be forced successfully in decorative containers. Just don’t overwater them! Here are some other tips:

  • You can plant as many bulbs as will fit in a pot with 0.5 cm between them
  • Before planting, soak the roots without immersing the bulb in a shallow container filled with lukewarm water for at least an hour – up to half a day if possible. This is what forces the bulb to start growing, as well as making e roots softer for planting.
  • Plant the bulb with the top third above the soil. After planting water thoroughly.  From then on it’s best to keep the soil moist, but not wet – do not overwater. You should water about once a week until the flower bulb appears, and then after as required.
  • Grow at indoor temperatures to start (19 to 22 degrees Celsius). Keep in a well lit area until it flowers, and then keep the plant out of direct sunlight
  • Expect the plant to bloom in about 6 weeks

When all the flowers have faded you can keep the bulb for the next year, if it has gained in size or at least not gotten any smaller. After flowering is over, carefully cut the stalk about 5 cm above the top of the bulb. Then allow the leaves to grow.  You can place the plant outdoors in the summer in semi-shade.  Then in late September, stop watering the plant and bring it inside. Remove dead foliage and place the pot in a cool, dry, darkened area for a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks. Then you can start over from the top.

Other potted bulbs widely available
Beginning in January other potted bulbs become available. Try tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, or croci.  The best buys will be bulbs that are just barely beginning to sprout  – then they should last you right through to spring. Mix and match containers and there you go – your own indoor garden in full colour.