The other day someone polled the people on one of the Well-Trained Mind discussion boards (www.welltrainedmind.com) to see what we were giving as Christmas gifts. I responded that I planned to plant bulbs in pots and get them started, hoping they would be in full bloom by January. Robin thought this to be a very brave thing to do since they might not grow! I guess I have a sense of adventure since I never contemplated that they might flop; it must come from the experience of living on a farm income :-).
Someone asked for more information on what types of bulbs and the timing of it all, so I will post it here. I purchased a Better Homes and Gardens book years ago when, as a teenager, I worked in a public library: Favorite Houseplants—and How to Grow Them. I take my information from there.
You need to have a pot that is at least twice as high as the bulbs you are going to plant. The pot needs to have a drainage hole covered with a shard. Use a good potting soil; you do not need to fertilize.
Lightly fill the pot half full with potting soil then lightly press the bulbs into the soil. Fill with as many bulbs as you can, but leave an inch between each bulb. Cover them with soil until the tips are just showing above the dirt. Lightly tap down and water. Some bulbs need to be placed in the refrigerator (keep moist and cover to keep out light) to simulate winter; others can be allowed to grow.
Since Christmas will be here in about 2 months, there is not enough time for some things—tulips and daffodils need 12 weeks in the frig. I plan to try Crocus (8 weeks in frig, then a cool room with strong light for 4 weeks—but that takes us after Christmas), or Paper-White Narcissus (stored in cool, dark closet for 2 weeks then a sunny window), or Lilies-of-the-Valley (set directly into a bright light, not direct sun, keep a little moist, and expect blooms in 3 weeks).
I suggest that if you want to try this that you check the web or your library to get more detailed information. Enjoy!
About Me
- Jean in Wisconsin
- I am both the wife of an engineer-turned-farmer in the beautiful hills of Wisconsin and the homeschooling mom of 3 teenagers. We raise Simmental cattle and grow corn, and soybeans. We also raise chickens and turkeys for our own use and have laying hens. We are giving our children a Christian classical education, and this is our 13th year of homeschooling. The night sky is my hobby. I sew, knit, bake bread, cook from scratch, grind wheat, garden, make soap and so much more! Also, I should not forget to tell you that we all love cats! Welcome!
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2 comments:
Jean, the potted bulbs sound like a great idea. I may just get brave and try this for my mother-in-law.
I don't intend to spend lots of money on these--a store nearby has the bulbs and they have lots of pots for well under $10. I'll check and see, but if I can get Lily-of-the-Valley, I'll do them (lots of little flowers so that if a couple do not come up they will not be so noticeable). However, some people might want to know that Lily-of-the-Valley are a poisonous plant, so you don't want them sitting within reach of a 2yo turned herbivore.
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