Home Kuel Thought Leader: Lori Roach
Are you sick to death of winter? The drab, dreary days, the cold, the darkness that sets in so early?
It’s time to bring a little bit of spring into your home!
Forcing Spring Blooms Indoors:
One way to make spring arrive a little sooner is by forcing spring blooms indoors. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy the beauty and fragrance of flowers like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths even before they bloom outdoors.
First, you’ll need to choose the right bulbs.
“You can use traditional terra cotta pots or get creative with vintage teacups or other unique vessels.”
Look for bulbs that are labeled as “pre-chilled” or “prepared” for forcing, as they have already been kept at the right temperature and moisture levels to encourage indoor blooming. You can also choose bulbs that haven’t been chilled, but you’ll need to give them a few weeks of cold treatment in your refrigerator before planting.
Once you have your bulbs, it’s time to plant them in containers.
You can use traditional terra cotta pots or get creative with vintage teacups or other unique vessels. Make sure your container has drainage holes and fill it with potting soil, leaving enough space for the bulbs to be planted at the appropriate depth.
Then, water the soil and place the container in a cool, dark place for a few weeks to encourage root growth.
What Types Of Bulbs Are Best For Forcing?
When it comes to forcing spring blooms indoors, the right bulbs can make all the difference. Not all bulbs are suitable for indoor forcing.
Some popular spring bulbs that can be forced indoors include:
- Tulips
- Daffodils
- Crocuses
- Hyacinths
- Grape Hyacinths
Each type of bulb has its own unique characteristics, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
Tulips come in a wide range of colors and are one of the most popular bulbs for indoor forcing. Daffodils are also a popular choice because of their bright yellow color and early blooming time. Crocuses are a great choice for smaller pots or containers, while hyacinths are known for their strong fragrance.
What Is The Best Timing For Forcing Spring Blooms?
Timing is everything when it comes to forcing spring blooms indoors. In general, bulbs need a period of cold temperatures (around 35-45 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 12-16 weeks to develop properly. This is known as the chilling period. Save time with pre-chilled bulbs.
After the chilling period, bulbs can be brought into a warmer environment (around 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit) to encourage growth and blooming. Depending on the type of bulb, this process can take anywhere from 2-12 weeks.
It’s important to choose bulbs that will bloom at the right time for your needs. For example, if you want to have blooms for Easter, you’ll need to start the forcing process in late December or early January. If you want blooms for Mother’s Day, you’ll need to start in late February or early March.
“If you want blooms for Mother’s Day, you’ll need to start in late February or early March.”
By choosing the right bulbs and timing their bloom cycle correctly, you can enjoy beautiful spring blooms indoors even when it’s still cold and dreary outside.
4 Steps To Force Blooms:
1. Potting And Soil Preparation:
The first step to force spring blooms indoors is to choose the right pot and soil. Select a pot that has drainage holes at the bottom and is slightly larger than the root ball of the plant. Use a well-draining potting mix that is rich in nutrients. You can also add some perlite or sand to the soil to improve drainage.
2. Chilling Period:
After potting the plant, it’s time to give it a chilling period. This is important to mimic the winter season and encourage the plant to bloom. Place the potted plant in a cool, dark place such as a garage or basement for 4-12 weeks, depending on the plant. During this period, make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
“Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and treat them promptly if detected.”
3. Growing Conditions:
Once the chilling period is over, it’s time to move the plant to a warmer and brighter location. Choose a spot that receives bright but indirect sunlight and has a temperature of around 60-70°F. You can also provide additional light using grow lights if needed. Make sure to water the plant regularly and fertilize it with a balanced fertilizer every two-three weeks.
4. Ongoing Care:
To ensure healthy growth and blooming, it’s important to maintain the plant properly. Remove any dead or yellow leaves and prune the plant if necessary. You can also pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage bushier growth. Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and treat them promptly if detected.
Find inspiration for your garden planning! Tour the world’s most beautiful gardens online. So what do you think? Are you ready to bring a bit of early spring into your home? By following these simple steps, you can enjoy beautiful spring blooms indoors even in the dead of winter.
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Lori Roach’s professional career has encompassed convention management, corporate training, education administration, and – most important to her – full-time motherhood. As she entered her mid-fifties, she found herself moving to a new city – leaving her friends and job behind just as she became an empty nester. Seeking both purpose and a new challenge, Lori started a blog, CircleSquareOval. Her goal is to help every woman “shape a modern midlife” by focusing on self-discovery, confidence, and connection to the world around them.
A bit of a gypsy at heart, Lori has relocated twenty-two times in her life, making her something of an expert on settling into a new space, unpacking and decorating quickly, and creating a feeling of “home”. She joins Kuel Life as a Home Category Expert.
You can read more from Lori at CircleSquareOval and find her on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest as well.
