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Forcing Spring!

Just before the temps got really cold this winter, I came across a mixed bag of bulbs that I had never gotten around to planting. I quickly grabbed a shovel but the ground was already rock hard.

This bag of bulbs - mostly tulips, some narcissus, and one hyacinth - had been sitting outside for over a month so, I thought maybe they had chilled sufficiently for forcing!

I gathered up all my vases that had skinny enough necks for a bulb to rest on. The rest of the bulbs were planted snugly in shallow containers. I was using anything I could find - a bonsai dish, (I've used this dish for everything but bonsai) old chipped teacups, clay pots, kid's ceramic artwork, ashtrays, whatever,....

My planting mediums were kind of "whatever" as well. (as I recall, I must have been a little rushed that day)  Anyways, some of the vases I filled with water just barely touching the bottom of the bulb. Some vases had glass marbles and water added. Some dishes got a soil, peat and stone mix - some just got stones.

I placed all of these in bright, sunny windows. These windows are old so the bulbs were ok picking up a draft. I made sure the vases got topped off - again, the water barely touching the bulb's bottom but making sure the roots are in water. The Roots developed quickly and the greenest foliage began to sprout. The one hyacinth bulb bloomed first! It was a shocking pink with a most heavenly scent. 3 1/2 weeks after potting time, the tulips are beginning to open. They have even reached full height - what a treat! I had left town for a few days and this is when the buds popped up. I believe my "over-caring" sometimes includes "over-watering". The slightly drier conditions seem to promote growth and ultimately blooms.

I think it's just awesome to have all of these flowers in the house for Valentine's and so far, all of my little sweethearts have opened up red!!!

2/10/00