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Too Wet Outside? Plant Bulbs Indoors!

By 250 News

With all the rain we have been receiving, it is hard to plant bulbs outdoors but bulbs can still be planted indoors. 

There are many varieties of bulbs, which are suitable to grow in containers for planting indoors. They have shorter stems, or smaller flowers such as Scillia, Muscari, certain varieties of Crocus, and some varieties of tulips such as the Kaufmanniana and Greigii types as well as certain types of Narcissus. Other bulbs such as Hyacinths, and Paperwhites have gone through a cooling period and are sold as ‘Prepared Bulbs’ are specifically for indoor growing. 

When planting bulbs indoors you will need a container that is at least 4 inches deep and quite large. You can use anything for a container from the plain grower pot to a ceramic flowerpot but the one thing that is important is good drainage. If the container does not have drainage then placing a layer of rock or broken clay pieces in the bottom and then putting the soil on top of this will work. At the nursery we like to plant the bulbs in the green grower pots and then placing these pots into nicer containers when the bulbs come into bloom and hiding the green grower pot by covering it with moss. By doing it this way you can also have several types or varieties of bulbs blooming at the same time. 

To plant the bulb you put a thin layer of soil in the bottom of the pot and tap it down lightly. Press, as many bulbs into the container as the container will hold spacing the bulb ½ an inch apart. Generally, a 6-inch pot will hold 3 hyacinths, or 6 Narcissi or tulips or 12 Crocuses or other small bulb. Plant bulbs pointed end up. After the bulbs have been placed in the pot, cover them with soil so that the soil just covers the tips of the bulbs. Thoroughly water the container allowing any excess water to drain out before placing the bulb filled container in a cool (8-10C) dark space where the bulb will begin rooting. 

Depending on the bulb and variety the bulb will start to produce new shoots in 10-17 weeks so check on it every week. During this time, water the bulbs to keep it barely damp. Once you see the new shoots, move the container to a warmer (10-15 C) spot where there is lots of bright light. Rotate the container every few days for consistent, even growth, which will keep the stems to grow straight. 

Over the next few weeks, the leaves and flower buds will form and when the bulb is ready to bloom place it in an area of the home where it can be enjoyed. To keep the flowers lasting longer, at night place the bulbs in a location where temperatures are cooler such as 15-18 Celsius. 

Once the bulbs have finished, blooming most people will toss them in the compost. This is because forced bulbs are weaker and can not be forced a second time. If you want to save the bulb to plant in the garden later, you will have to let the bulb die back naturally just like you would if it were planted outdoors. 

So, cut off the dead flowerhead and continue to water until the foliage withers back. This is when the bulb has matured and a new flower has formed in the bulb. At this point the bulb can either be left in the container or dug up and stored in a cool, dry place until the beginning of August when it is planted outdoors where it can bloom again next spring. 

So if you want to do some planting and the rain is keeping you indoors why not plant some bulbs indoors in those containers that held your summer annuals and enjoy some winter color later in the year! 

-Jos 

Jos Van Hage owns three Art Knapp's Garden Centres in the Prince George Area
-Hart Highway
-Highway 16 West
-Highway 97 South at the Old Cariboo Highway
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