when to start potted bulbs?

**ml2620** · 04-07-2010, 06:39 AM

Over Easter weekend, I ran around to several flower and landscape places looking for potted daffodils, hyacinths and tulips to give to my neighbors, aunts and cousin for Easter. I like giving them something they can later plant in the ground.

I'd like to start bulbs in pots so they bloom in time for Easter and Mother's day nextyear, maybe even something colorful for christmas or valentines day.

Anyone have any advice about starting bulbs in pots and if their might be a schedule or rule of thumb on when to start these bulbs so they bloom on time?

**Trentt** · 04-07-2010, 11:00 AM

I've only ever tried amaryllis indoors this way, but from the TV shows I've seen and advice I've read on the internet, you buy your Spring bulbs when you normally would (in the autumn), pot them up (and more often than not I've seen the people demonstrating use soil-less mix, pebbles, vermiculite, what have you ... I don't know why ... I'd use soil so my bulbs could get nutrients), and then pop them into the cold fridge for a few months to simulate the winter freeze they expect.

As the days start to lengthen again, you remove the pots and set them on the sill so they warm up and sprout. I can't advise on exactly when to do this (I'd shoot for January), and since Easter is a movable feast it will vary every year so you might have to experiment and record the time from putting them in the light and when they flower so in subsequent years you can time it perfectly.

**ladytoysdream** · 04-09-2010, 07:13 AM

You should be able to find those instructions on the bag or box, that you buy the bulbs in.

I bought a real nice lily last year that was in full bloom when I brought it home. I transplanted it into the flower bed in front of the house. I did not know how to split up the root section so I could get more plants. I did my best. So when fall came, I dug it up and brought the root section into the house to store. Now that spring has come, it is sending up shoots from the 3 sections. Note to self, get it into a pot soon, and get it started, so when the weather gets better, I can put it outside again.

My husband's uncle has a LOT of daffodils growing in his garden and along the road edge. My plan is to ask him if I can dig up a few small sections on the edge, so I can get some different shapes/colors for me to replant. He has some light yellow ones, I really like. I have some miniature ones growing here currently. Not sure where I got those now, but would like more of them. I been taking extra chicken eggs down to them, so I guess I can ask for a little favor