- Order your bulbs as soon as April and as late as late December. Any climate can force fall planted bulbs in vases for blooms in late winter to early spring.
- Bulbs that work best for forcing in glass vases are hyacinths and paper whites. Tulips, daffodils and crocus may work when forced in a vase with water, but they are a bit less reliable.
- Determine if you are going to use a forcing vase with only water, or other glass container with decorative stone in the bottom of it.
- If using a special vase for forcing add water to the vase about ¾ of the way to the top. The bulb should be positioned just slightly above the water, leaving about a millimeter between the bottom of the bulb and the water, this way the roots will begin growing into the water. It is imperative that the bottom of the bulb is not touching or resting in the water.
- If using a vase with decorative stones or marbles at the bottom, a glass cylinder shaped vase will work best, this way you can watch the leaves and roots grow. Fill the vase with the decorative stone; add water to near the top 75% of the stones. Place bulbs on stones, so that the roots will grow into the water and stones.
- Place the glass vase with water and flower bulb in the refrigerator for 8-12 weeks. You will notice roots growing into the water after about 2-3 weeks. Add water as needed to keep the water level close to the bottom of the bulb, but not touching the bottom of the bulb.
- After the initial 8-12 weeks in the refrigerator, move the vase to a cool 50-65 degree location that has low light for about 1 week. To allow a transition period from cold to warm. If the bulbs go from the cold temperatures of a refrigerator to a warm room, this often leads to stunted and immature flowers.
- Place vase with the bulb(s) in a warm location in your home and enjoy the fragrant blooms! Add more water if necessary; you may also refresh the water if it appears to be murky.
**If you have bulbs that you have been chilling in your refrigerator or cool shed, garage, attic or basem*nt and you want to force them in a glass with water here is some additional information.You can try to force these pre-chilled bulbs to bloom in the forcing vase or glass cylinder you have, but will need to provide a transition time before bringing them to a warm location in your home. After the bulbs have chilled, place the bulb(s) in the vase with water like you would in the instructions above. Set the vase in a cool location (between 50 and 65 degrees) with low light, so the bulb can begin to form roots, and sprouts. After about 2” of green growth is seen you may move the vase to a warmer and brighter location in your home. While this method can work, we find that place the bulbs in the vase for the chilling time produces the best results.
