Triple Oaks Nursery User Forum: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;

Philadelphia Area Nursery - Triple Oaks Nursery

Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;

Posted by Rubber Mulch Man on October 25, 2009, 8:28:48

So, any tips for forcing tulips ?

Lots of trial and much error here- but I'm getting it down...

Here is what I have developed:

I have a small hoop house which I construct over my veggie raised beds during winter... my only successful set up so far is to burry the potted bulbs within the beds. After the temps hit about 45 I cover over my hoop houses with 6 mil. I vent the hoop house since I know they want chilly air mostly. My main goal with the house is to keep the pots DRY, not warm, yet enough to keep the pots from freezing.

I use my own mix of soiless potting mix- 1.5 part sand, 1 part peat, 1 part compost and 1 part small pine bark. I find the bulbs don't really care about the mix as long as it stays mainly DRY.

I water once at planting time and then never again until spring. They did 'OK' last year but would like tips on making the process better.

The year prior to last I had bulb rot, I think the pots got too wet from the bottom. Other problems happened when I didn't burry the pots at all. Only about 5 % of those the bulbs made it- maybe too much freezing and thawing.

However last year I had much success with no watering and burring the pots less deep.

This has been a real gardening challange- especially trying to figure out how much moisture to maintain.

My bulbs in the gardens do very well.

Any Tips?

RUBBER MULCH MAN NJ - Zone 7

Message Thread:

Forcing BULBS- tips and info request; - Rubber Mulch Man October 25, 2009, 8:28:48
- Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request; - lk October 26, 2009, 9:18:03
  - Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request; - Mulch Man October 26, 2009, 18:51:41
    - Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request; - lk October 26, 2009, 22:50:20
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