Forcing Bulbs Indoors for Early Spring Bloom

Forcing bulbs to bloom indoors in late Winter is a way to enjoy the magic of Spring flowers a little early.

If you received a free package of our pink Foxtrot tulip bulbs, they are ready to be potted up indoors as soon as you get them. This is because they have spent the winter in a cool warehouse in Pennsylvania. (For other Spring blooming bulbs, you need to put them in a cool, refrigerated location for 6-8 weeks before potting them up indoors.)

Follow these instructions for forcing your bulbs to bloom this spring indoors:

• Fill a pot with potting soil or a soilless mix purchased at a garden center or home center. Make sure your pot has good drainage to prevent bulbs from rotting.
• Plant the bulbs, pointy end up, so that the top of the bulb is just above the soil line.
• Water well and leave in a sunny windowsill.

Green growth will emerge within 10-15 days. Wait approximately 4-5 weeks for blooms. When your bulbs have finished blooming put them in a dark, cool place. You can plant them outdoors in the Fall and watch them emerge the following Spring, or keep them indoors for forcing again next Spring.

Your Foxtrot tulip bulbs will grow about 10-12″ high, so they are not prone to flop over in their pot.

Happy Valentine’s Day!