Forcing Narcissus

You cannot force a bulb to do anything, but you can trick it into thinking it might be time to bloom.

In previous years I've purchased Narcissus and used to put them in water and stones the way Mama did 50 years ago. I've outgrown forcing anything in water, a cruel trick that leaves water roots that fail to nourish a bulb that may be planted out in the garden after bloom if there are good roots to support it.

Tazetta Narcissus in the Garden:

This summer our neighbor, Farmer John brought me a half bushel of Narcissus bulbs that have grown for decades in his yard. Remember that this is a warm climate. 

Yesterday I went to the greenhouse and potted up groups of 4 and 5 in pots. 

I found a pot that will fit in this tin cache pot from my late friend Burt.

The monkey tin held paperwhites in 2009.

2011

I don't know about my timing, Paperwhites may not bloom in time for Christmas, which matters little because we need blossoms throughout Winter.

I've been reckless about planning and planting bulbs this year. No telling when I'll see Amaryllis again, but there are pots in various stages of resting. I haven't looked to see what is going on in pots of hyacinth bulbs in a refrigerator; they are on their own until Christmas.

I keep looking at emails from Van Engelen and Longfield Gardens announcing sales. So far I've resisted. 

Strobilanthes Is Blooming

It's a winter event to look forward to every year: Persian Shield puts on little blue cone-shaped blossoms.

 

In summer, we just use it as a foliage plant.

I root pieces to keep inside just in case it fails to

return the next year. Blooms are a bonus.

 

Hyacinths continue to open. I've given away two.

The pinks still are not open enough to make a show.

The last Hippeastrum blooms. Nymph's second stalk.

Otherwise in the greenhouse it's routine busy work. I stuck a few rose clippings to see if they may root. We had some really warm weather for a while and things like Brugmansias commenced to grow as if it were spring. Tonight we anticipate temps in the mid 20s.

 

There are always some pots that have roots coming out of the bottom that want bumping up to a bigger size, or at least I slide out the plant and put fresh soil at the bottom to bring the plant up nearer the top of the pot if soil settled.

 

February is starting out cold after January lulled us into thinking Spring was coming.

 

 

 

It Isn't Christmas without a Bowl of Paperwhites

I blogged about my Paperwhites on Seedscatterer II. I had so many pics I thought I would put them here, no duplicates. If you need to know details on how to force narcissus in time for Christmas, the discussion is on Seedscatterer II here.

All that is needed is a waterproof container, some charcoal,

paperwhite narcissus bulbs and water.

No prechilling is needed.

The monkey container is painted tin. I use a large plastic

butter tub as a liner to prevent rusting. The cobalt blue

canister lost its lid. Ceramic, it doesn't need a liner.

The white pots on the potting bench shelf would be great for forcing bulbs. I use them as cache pots

as they have no drain hole. Maybe I'll put some hyacinths in them. Hyacinth bulbs are chilling until December in a refrigerator that holds no fruit, along with potted tulips.

I use river stones for support. Flat marbles

will work and add some glitter.

All are potted and water added up to the

bottom of the bulb.

the Casserole with the butterflies would make a good container

for forced bulbs if it wasn't full of alternanther cuttings.

The glass cylinders came in a kit with amaryllis bulbs

last year. I do not recommend forcing amaryllis in water.

Flowers and text are from the garden of Nell Jean blogged on Dotty Plants Journal in hot, humid Southwest Georgia.

Garden Traditions: Paperwhites for Christmas

My mother always forced a bowl of paperwhites for Christmas.
When I think of it, so do I. They're about ready to bloom, with big fat buds.



What are your garden traditions for Christmas?