Get a Jump on Spring With Potted Tulips
A cheerful pot of forced tulips on the kitchen counter brightens even the gloomiest of winter days. These colorful blooms are a refreshing reminder that spring is on the way, and the process of forcing them from bulb to bloom can be a therapeutic and rewarding experience.
Knowing how to force tulips starts with understanding forcing in general. Forcing is the process of encouraging bulbs to bloom ahead of their natural flowering time. In order to accomplish this, we simulate winter by pre-chilling the bulbs. Pre-chilling stimulates a biochemical response that “turns on” the bulb and tells the embryonic flower inside to start developing. Each type of flower bulb requires a different chilling period in order to bloom properly.
Most tulip bulbs need a chilling time of 12-19 weeks at 35-45° F. The chilling time varies by cultivar and a detailed list from Cornell can be found HERE. Bulbs may be chilled for longer than necessary but not shorter. Without adequate chilling, they will fail to flower properly.
How to Pre-Chill Tulip Bulbs
There are two ways to pre-chill tulip bulbs. You can plant the bulbs directly into pots and then store the containers at 35-45 degrees for the required chilling period. In moderate climates, you may be able to keep the pots outdoors or in a shed, unheated greenhouse or garage. But in cold climates, the pots need to be insulated to ensure the soil doesn't freeze.
Most gardeners find that it's easier to chill the bulbs first and then plant them. The crisper drawer of your refrigerator is an ideal place to pre-chill flower bulbs. Place the tulip bulbs into a brown paper bag and then place it into the refrigerator crisper drawer. Avoid placing the bulbs near ripening fruit such as apples or pears which give off ethelyne gas and can cause the flower inside the bulb to abort. Allow the bulbs to chill in your refrigerator for 12-19 weeks. After chilling, the bulbs are ready to plant.
Planting Pre-Chilled Tulip Bulbs
Choose a strong container with a drainage hole and fill it halfway with pre-moistened growing mix soil. Plant the pre-chilled tulip bulbs closely together with the pointy side of the bulb facing up. Cover with more soil, until the tips are about an inch below the soil surface. Then water thoroughly to settle the bulbs in place.
Encourage Strong Roots
After you have planted the pre-chilled bulbs, move the pot into a cool (50°F), dark environment for 1-2 weeks. During this time in darkness, the roots will grow but you should see little or no top growth. Giving the bulbs this additional time in a cool, dark place encourages strong roots to better support the stems and flowers.
After this brief resting period, move the pot into bright, indirect light, in a room that stays 60-68°F. Rotate the pot periodically to keep the stems straight. Water as necessary to keep the soil moist.
Once the bulbs are in a bright, relatively warm location, it usually takes about a month for them to come into bloom. When the flowers start to open, keep them in a relatively cool location out of direct sunlight to extend the bloom time. Tulip bulbs that have been forced will not flower properly in subsequent years, so they should discarded after the blossoms fade.
Best Tulip Varieties for Forcing
Exotic Emperor (15 weeks of chilling) - Exotic Emperor is an elegant tulip with layers of creamy white petals that are brushed with lime green highlights.
Apricot Delight (15 weeks of chilling) - Apricot Delight has ivory petals that are brushed with rose, pale pink and peach. The foliage displays an attractive purple variegation on the inner leaves.
Mystic Van Eijk (14 weeks of chilling) - A lovely coral pink tulip with accents of darker pink and apricot.
Black Hero (15 weeks of chilling) - Black Hero is the double version of Queen of Night. It has glossy maroon petals and peony-like flowers.
Foxy Foxtrot (17 weeks of chilling) - This double early tulip has ruffled honey-gold, apricot and peach petals.
Learn more about how to force tulips by watching our tulip forcing video HERE. Tulip bulbs may be ordered starting in April for shipping in fall. Shop our complete selection of tulips HERE.