Flowers add a touch of elegance and charm to our interiors, brightening up any space with their vibrant colors and delightful scents. However, most flowering plants bloom only during specific seasons, often in spring. If you adore tulips and want to enjoy their beauty year-round, we have a simple technique for you!
Tulip: How to Force Bulbs in Water
To make your tulips bloom outside their usual season, you can force tulip bulbs in water. If this concept is new to you, let’s explain how it works.
This age-old technique tricks bulbs into believing that spring has arrived, encouraging them to flower prematurely. Suitable bulbs for this method include tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils.
How to Do It
- Select Healthy Bulbs: Choose large, firm bulbs for the best results. Opt for short tulip varieties that are more tolerant of forcing.
- Chill the Bulbs: To simulate winter, place the bulbs in a cold environment for about four months. Store them in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer, keeping them away from fruit to prevent ethylene gas from hindering flowering. If you purchase bulbs from a store, this step is often unnecessary as they are pre-chilled.
- Prepare Your Vase: Select a vase that allows the bulb to barely touch the water’s surface, promoting root development while preventing rot. Bulb carafes are ideal for this purpose, as their design supports the bulb above the water. Alternatively, use a vase filled with decorative pebbles, ensuring the bulb sits on top without touching the water.
- Store in a Cool, Dark Place: Keep your vase in a cool, dark area to encourage root growth and bulb germination. Change the water weekly.
- Move to a Bright Spot: After about a month, once sprouts appear, move the vase to a bright, warm location—avoiding direct sunlight. Rotate the vase occasionally for even light distribution.
- Maintain Water Level: Ensure the vase remains filled with water to keep the roots hydrated, but avoid letting the bulb sit in water.
Important Note: Tulip bulbs cannot be forced multiple times. After flowering, compost any used bulbs or discard diseased ones.
Growing Hyacinth in Water
Like tulips, you can also grow hyacinth in water year-round using bulbs.
How to Proceed
- Cool the Bulbs: Chill hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks.
- Use a Glass Bulb Vase: Ensure that only the roots touch the water, keeping the bulb above it.
- Change Water Regularly: Store the vase in a cool, dark area and change the water twice a week for optimal blooms.
- Move to a Bright Spot: After about 6 weeks, when the foliage reaches 5 cm, move the vase to a bright area to encourage flowering. Rotate daily for balanced growth.
Growing Amaryllis in Water
Amaryllis is a stunning flowering plant that you can also force without soil.
How to Proceed
- Choose a Clear Vase: Fill the bottom with about 3 inches of stones or pebbles.
- Position the Bulb: Place the bulb on the stones, roots down, with the top third exposed.
- Add Water: Fill the vase with water below the bulb without saturating it to prevent rot.
- Find a Sunny Spot: Place the vase on a sunny windowsill and check the water level regularly.
After flowering, you can transplant the amaryllis into potting soil, although it may not bloom again in water.
With this guide, growing tulips, hyacinths, or amaryllis in water will be a breeze! Enjoy vibrant blooms in your home year-round, all without the mess of soil!
