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By Gayla Trail
FORCED BULBS
Forced bulbs are a popular gift during the holiday season. Rather than buying an expensive (and usually bland) kit from the store, make one yourself. All you will need is a nice container, some substrate and a few bulbs.
Bulbs: The easiest bulbs to force don't require any refrigeration or chilling to encourage blooming. Paperwhites (Narcissus tazetta ‘Paperwhite’), amaryllis (Hippeastrum), freesia and colchicum are the best choices if you're under a time constraint or planning a gift for a brown thumbed recipient. Hyacinths, daffodils, crocus and tulips are also good, easy choices but they require a period of cold storage before blooming.
For something unusual, give a voodoo lily (Arum cornutum) -- but save it for a real exotics enthusiast or someone with a very good sense of humour. Getting this bulb to bloom is as easy as setting it in a bright place -- no soil, pot, watering or sun required. Soon enough your recipient will be rewarded with a spectacular, but stinky flower that smells of rotten meat.
 Containers: Vintage ceramic containers (such as animal-shaped pots) or cans can be purchased from thrift stores or flea markets for a few dollars. Try using glass bowls, mason jars (these are found in abundance in thrift shops), vases, shallow dishes, or shallow dishes. Ice cream glasses are great for hyacinths or other single bulbs. Many bulbs can be grown nearly above the soil surface so as long as they can stand up freely your options are nearly limitless.
Substrate: Most forced bulbs will flower without being planted in soil. A few paperwhites set on top of some stones in a dish with a low water level will create heavenly scented blooms in a few weeks. Try growing your plants in usual materials such as beach glass, marbles, or tumbled rocks.
Bulbs can be presented already potted and ready to grow, or as a kit the recipient can set up and grow at their leisure. If you're going to give a kit be sure to include instructions [links to growing instructions are found at the side]. Growing plants can be wrapped with gauze or fabric to keep them alive and breathing before opening -- just be sure they aren't going to stay in the dark for too long.
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Store your chilling bulbs in mesh or paper bags in the fridge, or pre-plant into pots with soil and set outside in a cold garage or cold frame.
· Crocus: 15 weeks
· Daffodil: 16 weeks
· Hyacinth: 12-14 weeks
· Tulip: 15-20 weeks
· Amaryllis
· Paperwhites
· Hyacinths
· Crocus
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