Indoor Planting Bulbs - Frequently Asked Questions

How do I grow Amaryllis bulbs? Potting Instructions Place 2 inches of potting soil in the bottom of your pot. The Amaryllis bulb likes to sit with 1/3 of the bulb above the soil line so place bulb accordingly in your pot and gently pack the soil between the roots. There should be about 1 inch of soil between the bulb and the edge of the pot as they like a tight fit. Watering Habits Water once when you first pot up your Amaryllis bulb, then sparingly until the sprout is well out of the bulb. Then water regularly and you will soon be rewarded with the most spectacular blooms, 4 to 6 per stalk and 2 - 3 stalks depending on the size bulb planted. Aftercare When blooms fade, cut off the tubular flower stem near the top of the bulb, leaving the foliage to continue growing. Water as usual and apply a water-soluble fertilizer every four weeks. Once the danger of frost is past you may move your Amaryllis bulb outdoors to your garden where it can enjoy the summer sun. Be sure to continue your fertilizer program every four weeks as this is necessary for the next round of indoor forcing. In early Autumn, bring your Amaryllis inside and allow it to completely dry out. Cut off the dry leaves and let it "rest" for 6 weeks. Now repot your Amaryllis in new soil and start the process all over again. Back to Top	Frequently Asked Questions How do I grow Amaryllis bulbs? How do I grow Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs? How do I grow tulips, daffodils or crocus inside? How do I grow hyacinths inside?
How do I grow Paperwhite Narcissus bulbs? Paperwhites can be grown without going through a cold storage period. Simply fill a pot halfway with soil, set the bulb gently in the soil and pack more soil around the bulbs leaving the tips visible. Water the bulbs thoroughly, allowing time for the soil to absorb enough water so it is thoroughly soaked. Place anywhere in the house and watch them develop. Place them preferably in a window sill where there is plenty of light. If you place your Paperwhites for 3 to 4 weeks in a cooler place (45 - 55 degrees F.) directly after planting, they generally stay shorter which prevents them from falling over when in full bloom. Back to Top
How do I grow tulips, daffodils or crocus inside? Yes the term often used in the industry is "forcing." However not all varieties are suitable for indoor forcing, therefore for best results look on the packaging of the bulb or ask your local garden center which bulbs are most suitable for indoor forcing. Select a shallow 6" ceramic pot, and fill the bottom with an inch of gravel. It may be necessary to place a crock or large rock over the hole in the bottom of the pot. Next, fill the pot with moist potting soil. Place your bulbs in the soil mix, leaving just the tips exposed. A good rule of thumb is 15 crocuses, 6 tulips, 6 daffodils, or 3 hyacinths per six inch pot. After you've finished planting the bulbs, place the pot in a cool place. A refrigerator works great for this. After the bulbs have been cooled for about six weeks, remove the pot. Place the pot in a sunny, warm location and keep the soil moist but not wet. In a few weeks the bulbs should start growing. Back to Top
How do I grow hyacinths inside? Hyacinth bulbs require a dormancy period in order to flower when forced. Place them in a refrigerator for about six weeks before forcing. After the bulbs have been cooled sufficiently, place them into a special hyacinth vase. These can be found at your local garden center. Add water up to the neck of the vase. Place your hyacinth in the vase. It is important that the water level is kept just below the bulb itself. If the water is touching the bulb it will rot. After a few weeks, roots will start growing towards the water. Once the roots are well established the bulb will sprout, and shortly after that it will begin to flower. Back to Top