Golden daffodils grow 3″ inches tall with rushlike foliage; purple tulips but 4″ inches overall; small sunny crocuses in the middle of winter; miniature hyacinths in bloom for New Year’s Eve—these are some of the delightful bulbs that can be forced into bloom on a sunny, moderate-to-cool window sill, in a home greenhouse or under fluorescent lights in a cool room or basement.
These bulbs are forced in the same way as the large ones.
Since they are small, it is possible to plant up to 6 of one variety in a 4- or 5-inch pot or to put just one in a 2 ¼” inch container or three to a 3-inch pot.
A good potting soil consists of the following:
- Two parts garden loam
- Two parts sand
- One part leaf mold
- One part peat moss
Order miniature bulbs for forcing in the summer or early fall and pot upon receipt, usually in late September or October, with the tops of the bulbs just beneath the surface of the soil.
Water thoroughly and place in a cold frame or dark place where the temperature will be between 40° and 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the soil moist, and be sure the temperatures do not rise above 50° degrees Fahrenheit for any time or go below zero.
One year, we moved to a new house too late in the season for me to build a cold frame or do any outdoor gardening.
I had miniature bulbs on order, so when they came, I potted them as usual, moistened the soil, and then set the pots in flats of moist peat moss and sand on the garage floor—unheated but attached to the house.
Temperatures there frequently went below freezing but generally stayed in the 40° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit range.
I watered the bulbs as often as necessary, about twice a month, and, from early February on, every pot forced well and yielded perfect bloom—certainly an easy, trouble-free way to force bulbs.
Forcing Perfect Flowers
After rooting, as you begin forcing, keep in mind that blooms will be of better quality, though not so fast to mature, if plants are forced slowly in temperatures, not above 60° degrees Fahrenheit.
Although drying out when roots are forming may be harmful, it is certainly disastrous after leaves push up and flower buds swell.
Dryness in the air and excessive heat will cause blasted buds and premature yellowing of foliage.
As soon as leaves and buds begin active growth, apply bi-weekly feedings of house plant fertilizer, continuing throughout the growing season.
After these little bulbs are forced into our sunny, cool window garden and in the greenhouse, I continue to take good care of them.
When the weather warms so a cold snap will not harm that succulent, forced foliage, I sink the pots outdoors in a warm sunny cold frame and continue regular watering until foliage ripens and turns yellow of its own accord.
Care Of Bulbs In Summer
Pots are left in the frame without particular attention until cold weather.
Bulbs are then repotted, returned to the cold frame, covered with sand and peat, and remain there until early January when they are brought indoors in weekly succession and forced as usual.
Second-year results are not always as excellent as first-year, but I have been pleased with the way the number of bulbs has multiplied and thrived under continuous pot culture.
Ten Little Daffodils
Narcissus Bulbocodium Conspicuous
Narcissus bulbocodium conspicuous, 6” inches, is the yellow hoop-petticoat daffodil with flowers of rich golden color, 1 ¼” inches long with a wide mouth an inch across.
Narcissus Campernelli
Narcissus campernelli’ Orange Queen,’ 10″ inches, has fragrant apricot-orange flowers clustered four on a stem. It forces perfectly.
Narcissus Canaliculatus
Narcissus canaliculatus, 6” inches, has narrow, erect, blue-green leaves.
It bears heads of 3 or 4 sweet-scented flowers with a white perianth and globular golden cup.
Narcissus Cyclamineus
Narcissus cyclamineus, 6” inches, has a downward pointed trumpet of vibrant yellow, a half-inch wide and frilled at the edge.
`March Sunshine’
`March Sunshine,’ 9″ inches, is another variety of cyclamineus, valuable for forcing.
It has a slender tubelike cup of yellow and slightly reflexed petals of yellow.
Narcissus Nanus
Narcissus nanus, 3″ inches, is the smallest trumpet daffodil.
The flowers are bright, buttercup yellow. It is excellent for forcing.
Narcissus Obvallaris
Narcissus obvallaris, 9″ inches, the Ten-by daffodil, is an early variety, especially valued for forcing.
It bears medium-size flowers of sunny, intense yellow on sturdy stems.
Narcissus Triandrus Albus
Narcissus triandrus albus, 7″ inches, angel’s tears daffodil, has clusters of cream-white flowers with perianth reflexed sharply and a rounded cup that points down.
Narcissus Watieri
Narcissus watieri, 4″ inches, has flat, tiny flowers of pure white. This species is without peer for miniature gardens.
‘W. P. Milner’
‘W. P. Milner,’ 12″ inches, is a miniature trumpet daffodil with small, sulfur-white, nodding flowers and the fragrance of a cowslip.
It is one of the best small daffodils for forcing.
Nine Miniature Tulips
Tulipa Pulchella Humilis
Tulipa pulchella humilis, 4″ inches, has lavender-pink, globe-shaped flowers.
An example of variation is ‘Violet Queen,’ 4″ inches, which has cupped flowers of purple-red.
Both bloom outdoors in the earliest spring—sometimes February—and for us, they have given a good account of themselves when forced into a cool place in early – February.
Tulipa Batalinii ‘Bright Gem’
Tulipa batatinii ‘Bright Gem,’ 5” inches, has cup-shaped sulfur-yellow flowers tinted apricot-pink.
`Berlioz’
`Berlioz,’ 5” inches, a kaufmanniana variety, has citron-yellow flowers, the outside petals tinted red. Foliage is patterned with brown.
Tulipa Cretica
Tulipa cretica, 4″ inches, has a flower that is almost white but lightly blushed with pink and a yellow spot at the base.
`Gaiety’
`Gaiety,’ 4″ inches, a kaufmanniana variety, has large flowers similar to a waterlily, cream-white inside with a bold center of apricot-orange, flushed outside with rose pink.
Tulipa Persica
Tulipa persica, 5” inches, sometimes known as brevniana, is a late cluster or bunch-flowering tulip.
The starry blooms are bright yellow inside, flushed with apricot.
`Robert Stolz’
`Robert Stolz,’ 5” inches, a kaufmanniana, has scarlet flowers, the throat yellow and black. Leaves are variegated with purple.
Tulipa Tarda
Tulipa tarda, 3” inches, sends up several starry flowers at one time, the outer petals tinted green, and the throat of the bloom a pale yellow that fades to white toward the petal tips.
Tulipa Urumiensis
Tulipa urumiensis, 6” inches, has a rosette of leaves and large sunny yellow flowers. Outer petals are tinted apricot or bronze.
Other Little Bulbs For Forcing
- Brodiaea
- Calochortus
- Chionodoxa, crocus (varieties of C. biflorus
- Chrysanthus
- Sieberi
- Tomasinianus and venous)
- Erythronium
44659 by Elvin Mcdonald