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- Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;
Posted by Rubber Mulch Man
on October 25, 2009, 8:28:48So, 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 - Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;
Posted by lk on October 26, 2009, 9:18:03, in reply to "Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;"
I have forced bulbs off and on most of my life, but on a very small scale.Began as a 4-H member and still have the brochure we used 50 years ago. i put them in a pot,then with sane, now with pro mix. Buried in a trench along the foundation of the house. I can't say i have ever had flower show quality type of bulbs. some years we plant the left over from the shop, sell in spring as a garden plant as they are not Easter plant quality. Will be very interested to see how your bulbs come a long. Just be care that they do not get too dry in spring as it warms up. those hoop houses can get hot even with doors open. The bulb needs good moisture to grow good roots and then again when it sends foliage out. I do agree that tulips will rot if too wet .
Great project. keep us posted. we have saffron bubls, have you ever grown these fall bloomers ? - Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;
Posted by Mulch Man on October 26, 2009, 18:51:41, in reply to "Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;"
I have not tried Sffron. Maybe I'll do so.
My guess is that the show quality bulbs are grown in very controlled green houses under the watch of highly dedicated folks. I wish for a greenhouse some day.
Also, I'm sure these growers pick the biggest and best - well above avg. bulbs for forcing.
I saw the Triple Oaks bulb display. Very nice.
(Because I plant such a huge amount I get bulk shipments. I'm only forcing about 150 bulbs this year but we put in about 2000 in the beds).
I would bet down near your area you have deer issues for tulips... 2000 Tulips would be gone in a night.
(If I had to give up everything else in the garden except tulips I'd still be a pretty happy gardener).
Like I mentioned; We have had good forcing years and complete failures. I think moisture control is the hardest factor to control. Placing the pots into my raised beds and then using leaf mulch as insulation helped last year. Now keeping the beds covered under the hoops should help even more. I think I'll set it up so I have easy access and can keep an eye on the moisture.
I'll try to post some pics.
- Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;
Posted by lk on October 26, 2009, 22:50:20, in reply to "Re: Forcing BULBS- tips and info request;"
I love all bulbs, but my favorites are hyacinths and poet daffodills. I love fragrant flowers.
L
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