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[blank]I never look forward to the moment when the christmas tree comes down – yesterday in my case. And for me, the best way of filling the void is with spring bulbs grown in pots indoors.[blank]
[blank]I never look forward to the moment when the christmas tree comes down – yesterday in my case. And for me, the best way of filling the void is with spring bulbs grown in pots indoors.[blank]
[blank]Our house must have been very warm over the holidays, because most of the paperwhites that I grew are already well through their flowering time, so I shot down to a local gardening centre and bought loads of their bulbs that they had brought down to half price because of course it is too late to plant them … hmmm.[blank]
So now I need your help please … what are my chances of success with ….
hyacinths[blank]
tulips
[blank]
and renoncules![blank]
I’m thinking that growing them in glass containers helps them on more quickly, and some alcohol in the water stops them getting too leggy …..
I’d be so pleased to hear any ideas that you may have tried,
merci mes amis![blank][blank]
all pictures thanks to google images
35 comments
Hyacinths are the easiest to grow and tulips are the most difficult to get their real colours in glasses before they get wilked.
Love from the snowy stormy winter Plain in Hungary. Dorka http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu
Amaryllis….just wonderful and in different colors available. Good luck and enjoy your early spring in winter
I would plant them in a variety of glass jars or glasses that are past their sparkly best that way they get plenty of light & put them somewhere warm. Take a chance, they either flower now or they will next year. Never heard of putting alcohol in the water. Bon chance…
Growing bulbs with no earth opens out whole new areas of possibility for me. No mess! I am eager to know how you get on.
I'm afraid I'm no gardener but what a lovely way to welcome Spring! I especially love the smell of Hyacinths 🙂
Mary x
They look beautiful in glass containers. I have four big containers of paperwhites blooming..they make me happy and I love the smell. Believe it or not all of my Christmas decor is still up, thinking this Sunday I will begin the labor intensive act of taking it all down…….I enjoy savoring the season for as long as possible!
What a divine way of filling in the missing Christmas decorations gap. I usually have roses and gardenias picked from my garden, but with a long week of scorching over 40 degree days everything is burnt and ruined 🙁 (The joys of living in Australia.) I love the idea of placing the bulbs in a glass. I have always used those bulb vases but they only do large daffodils and hyacinths. Those tulips look so gorgeous and they are forced to stay upright.
Happy bulb forcing.
Oh Sharon, if you find a good way to force hyacinth bulbs in water, please post. I was so busy I forgot to plant a whole sack of new bulbs and now, needless to say, it is too late.
Dear Sharon, My favorite way to grow bulbs is to scrunch up a little florist clear plastic wrap into a tall glass container. Add a little water (now looks like crushed ice and sparkles) then add bulbs and watch the magic. Happy New Year, Gina
Alcohol in the water! Didn't know that tip.
I see you are following the French tradition of white in the New Year for a fresh start.
I figured I would have my amaryllis and paper whites way into January and February but, like yours, they shot up like crazy, and are almost finished blooming. So, just this week I bought some hyacinths already in water and clear vases, with roots. They are just barely started and I put them in a very cool place to get them going. My Christmas decorations included some tiny live evergreen trees and I am still enjoying them so much. Good luck with your hyacinths. Don't they smell heavenly? xo
Many bulbs require a period of cold before they bloom. Unless your bulbs have had that treatment, they may not flower. I would suggest checking the internet, but putting them into your refrigerator for a month or more may work. Some nurseries sell cold-treated bulbs for winter forcing, but ones purchased that were intended for outdoor planting would not have been given the cold treatment. Hope this helps.
This is the time of year that the bulbs bring forth the promise of a not so far off spring. My bulbs are just coming to life on my mantle. I have been looking for hyacinth with no luck. But my paper whites are so cheery.
Wow no soil? It also looks artistic, the roots in water. Yes, I am not sure how to take the tree down when my son tears up every time I mention doing it…
Narcissus need no cold treatment before they bloom. Hyacinths need the most: 16 weeks, and tulips about 12. Chances are in France they have already had this treatment. Any alcohol keep the stems a bit shorter so that they do not topple over. Your pictures look like they are doing fine.
I've a friend who wanted to plant tulips after spring planting time had come and gone. She bought bulbs and put them in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for a couple of weeks to force them to bloom. She planted them in the summer and she had beautiful tulips!
I really love Paper Whites and when it is grey and dismal outside this time of year, I think they really brighten up your home and your spirit as well.
White amaryllis would be beautiful. They are fun because they can grow 4 inches over night.
I used to grow paper whites but I can't stand the smell of them.
Good tip on the alcohol, Sharon. I have not heard that before and will use it next year. This year I just had to chop the droopy flowers and use them in a vase.
Hyachins take 8 to 16 weeks!!! You can still plant the paperwhites.
S…I don't have much luck with bulbs, however, I do have two right now that I purchased at my local Fresh Market. They were already growing. After Christmas clean up, I wander the yard and start clipping branches to force. It's similar to bulb forcing. You get the pleasure of watching a bare branch fill with flowers and then leaves. Don't forget to show us your results….k
Oh I hear you on how sad it is to take your decorations down. I can't have a Christmas tree because my sweet little kitties (ahem) like to play litter box under them, so this year I just had up garland. It went out to the curb for pickup a few days ago and already the neighborhood dogs have made their mark on it… (I sense a theme here, and I don't like it!…)
I didn't plant paperwhites or amaryllis this year. But you've inspired me. I'm going to head to the florist this weekend and scout for some paperwhites…
I'm forcing the last of my Paperwhites in my Hyacinth vases on my kitchen windowsills. It's slow going, but I noticed some new growth today so there is hope. Who knows, it might be Spring by the time they bloom! My last 2 potted Amaryllis and 1 potted Paperwhites are currently blooming & bring a smile as I pass them by every day. Unplanted tulip bulbs are sitting boxed up in my wheelbarrow out in the garage. I was particularly overzealous & thought I could plant 600 tulips bulbs this fall, but didn't quite make it! Hoping they've stayed chilled enough out in the garage to plant them this spring. Beautiful photos, especially the tulips.
I forgot to plant them, but I may go try to find some tomorrow. Your pictures are inspiring. I like the idea from Gina of crumpled florist wrap. I took down Christmas last Sunday the minute my son's family was out the door! I needed the house clear for the hip revision patient who came home today. Hip# 3…. You'd think he had 3 legs! All is well now.
This is so awesome, i never thought of using water with alcohol. The roots in the water looks artistic.
I love hyacinths and paper whites, but sadly never get around to planting either. Your photos are pure loveliness.
Does the water not smell or do you change it frequently ?
Une très jolie brassée de fleurs pour débuter l'année
Nell
le mieux est d'acheter les jacinthes en petit godet dans les jardineries?
je mets ces petits pots en plastique dans un autre pot qui sert de cache pot,soit une moule à faisselle, un petit pot en zinc, bref je choisis suivant l'endroit où je veux le mettre, de la mousse dessus et huit – dix jours après c'est en fleurs.
Pour noël j'avais laissé dehors et rentré le tout huit jours avant, et c'était en fleur pour noël. en général la couleur des pots en plastique correspond à la couleur de la fleur. ensuite je mets tout cela au jardin et des fleurs au printemps suivant.
pour les tulipes je n'ai jamais essayé, narcisses idem que les jacinthes, cela ne marche que si on achète des pots , mais les bulbes seuls il leur faut du froid, ceci a été dit plus haut.
je m'excuse si cela passe en anonyme, je ne suis pas capable de faire autrement, j'attends quelqu'un de doué pour m'expliquer comment faire .
abeille26
the "Liquor" of choice I understand to use is Vodka. Plus if you plant your narcissus in pot with dirt, a few drops on that soil will keep them from getting leggy, too.
Hyacinths and crocuses are traditional bulbs for water-forcing as are tender narcissus. (HINT: After forcing, they will be totally 'spent' so best to compost.) Don't forget forcing branches too: forsythia and other flowering shrubs!
I too would recommend Amaryllis if you can still find them. They grow so fast you can almost watch them develop.
Gorgeously fragrant, so much so Sharon, that the scent is emitted through my monitor. No experience with these flowers although wish I did.
I'm trying some hyacinths in glass containers with water this season. They are about to bloom. Didn't know about the alcohol, but will try that. Thanks!
I had hyacinth bulbs in glass jars this Christmas… and they were gorgeous, Sharon… They grew, opened and grew some more… now they are outside and will go in the garden until next year… I did nothing but give them a gentle mist spray of water each day… Easy and they looked lovely… xv
P.S Sorry about the chickens…:(
Hyacinths and crocuses are traditional bulbs for water-forcing as are tender narcissus. (HINT: After forcing, they will be totally 'spent' so best to compost.) Don't forget forcing branches too: forsythia and other flowering shrubs!