Yes, indeed…January has been a loathsome month for so many. The holiday cheer is gone, and it is bitter outside nearly everywhere in the United States.
But, you can make life a little brighter in your corner of the world by forcing bulbs.
There are hyacinths, paperwhites, daffodils and amaryllis that would love to come out and play.
Bringing bulbs to life takes a little doing but it is not hard. You only need a forcing jar or an attractive low planter in some instances.
Fill the lower level of whatever container you want to use that will be just at the base of the bulb and no higher.
Keep the water clear by changing it frequently. Put the bulbs in a cool and dark location while they are developing the roots for about six to eight weeks. The optimum temperature is 48 degrees.
In our house this is easy, but yours may be different. Try an unheated closet or a mudroom that may not be as warm as the rest of the house.
When the roots are 3 to 4 inches long for paperwhites, and the foliage begins to appear, bring the bulbs out into a warmer room with tems[ around 68 to 74 and put them in bright, indirect light for about 10 days until the leaves are completely green. Then you can move them where they will get six or more hours of direct sun each day. Enjoy them while you can.
Hyacinths can usually provide you with bloom following the same regimen. However, you will need soil and water for the amaryllis and daffodils. Try this. You will find that the daffs and amaryllis will surprise you long before the hyacinths and paperwhites, but they will all bloom at different times and keep you in green and blossoms until the real spring arrives!
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