You are here
How do you force daffodil bulbs indoors?
Answer:
To successfully force daffodils indoors, you’ll need high quality bulbs, a well-drained commercial potting mix, and suitable containers. Containers for forcing can be plastic, clay, ceramic, or metal. Almost any container can be used as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom.
Potting
Begin by partially filling the container with potting soil. Then place the daffodil bulbs on the soil surface. Adjust the soil level until the tops of the bulbs are even or slightly below the rim of the container. The number of bulbs to plant per pot depends on the size of the bulb and container. Typically, 3 to 5 bulbs are appropriate for a 6-inch-diameter pot. However, a 6-inch pot will usually accommodate 5 to 7 bulbs of miniature varieties. Once properly positioned, place additional potting soil around the bulbs. However, do not completely cover the bulbs. Allow the bulb tops (noses) to stick above the potting soil. For ease of watering, the level of the soil mix should be ½ to 1 inch below the rim of the container. Label each container as it is planted. Include the name of the variety and the planting date. After potting, water each container thoroughly.
Chilling
In order to bloom, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs must be exposed to temperatures of 40 to 45°F for 12 to 16 weeks. Possible storage sites include the refrigerator, root cellar, or an outdoor trench. During cold storage, water the bulbs regularly and keep them in complete darkness.
Removal from the Cold
Begin to remove the potted daffodil bulbs from cold storage once the cold requirement has been met. At this time, yellow shoots should have begun to emerge from the bulbs. Place the daffodils in a cool (50 to 60°F) location that receives low to medium light. Leave them in this area until the shoots turn green, usually 4 or 5 days. Then move the daffodils to a brightly lit, 60 to 70°F location. Keep the plants well watered. Turn the containers regularly to promote straight, upright growth. On average, flowering should occur 3 to 4 weeks after the bulbs have been removed from cold storage. For a succession of bloom indoors, remove pots from cold storage every 2 weeks.
More detailed information on forcing spring bulbs can be found in this article: How to Force Spring-Flowering Bulbs Indoors
Links to this article are strongly encouraged, and this article may be republished without further permission if published as written and if credit is given to the author, Horticulture and Home Pest News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. If this article is to be used in any other manner, permission from the author is required. This article was originally published on . The information contained within may not be the most current and accurate depending on when it is accessed.
