I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.
I love trying to force blooms for some winter color every year.
Over the years I have tried miniature irises and Paper Whites. The irises were lovely but needed planted in a deep dish to prevent flopping so it was not my best first effort but a learning experience. The Paper Whites were so beautiful but since some fragrances give me headaches the strong fragrance of the Paper Whites were just too much. I had to take them outdoors to get away from them.
After having good results from forcing Hyacinths before this year I am trying some hyacinths again.
After spending seven weeks in the refrigerator the bulbs were taken out and planted in a pot filled with white river rocks. They were watered slightly with a little fertilizer added to the water.
Although the two bulbs were planted at the same time they are growing at different rates. I guess they are going to give me one bloom now and one more a little later. Which is fine with me since it will extend the blooming time.
Minos blue has a lovely bloom and the fragrance is just wonderful.
The other bulb is a Gipsy Queen and is a peach color.
Pictures to come later when it is in bloom.
The Alfresco Amaryllis is still blooming and I just love it sparkling white blooms.
Just a reminder for those of you who followed Robin from “Life in Robins Nest”, she lost her blog postings and they could not be recovered. Update your link to her new blog and add yourselves as followers … here.
Thank you.
Do you force bulbs to give you winter color?
Happy Gardening Everyone,
Lona
24 comments:
Your pictures are so pretty, I can practically smell the hyacinths!! I must try them this year, they smell so good.
Thanks for letting us know about Robin's blog. I feel bad that happened to her.
Lona your spring blooms are just beautiful!! ah the sign of things to come...yay! Also, I am lover your blog and have awarded you with the Versatile Blogger Award over at my blog!! Thanks for the great read, I sure do enjoy your posts! Cheers Julia xx
Hi,
I'm surprised the Hycinths don't also give you headaches as they are well known for having a very strong scent! I often get smell triggered migraines so have to be careful with strong perfumes and know I wouldn't be able to handle some Hyacinths in a bowl but I was ok with the paperwhites. Weird isn't it how we all react differently? :D
I need to get out and pick up some spring bulbs for inside, as well as outside! (any excuse to buy more ;) )
I don't know what is going on here? I want have to force bulbs this year for they think it is spring and coming up out of the ground.
I grow Gipsy Queens in the garden! Did you get them from Old House Bulbs? I love that store...
Lona girl , I had the same problems with the overwhelming scent of Paperwhites .. the boys and I had headaches and sore throats.. but now I wish I had tried the hyacinths !
I think that is great one blooms while the other one will come along later to treat you to its scent : )
I'll go over to Robin's place and relink her .. my gosh ! how does this stuff happen ?
Joy : )
Gorgeous hyacinths, do they smell heavenly!!!. Sorry to hear about Robin, I am heading over. Take care and have a fantastic week. Jen.
No I don't but now sure wish I did!!!
I can almost smell the fragrance of your magnificent blooms. 'Just beautiful!!!
God bless ya and have a magnificent week sweetie!!!
I feel so bad for Robin. Can you imagine.....? :o(
Lona, the bulbs look just lovely. I have some paperwhites going again and my Red Lion amaryllis is still blooming. My hyacinths went mushy waiting for me to plant them. I will have to remember that if I buy them next year.
Eileen
Catherine: That would be awful to lose all of your postings and record keeping.
I hope everyone goes over to Robins and upgrades their links and follower connections.
Julia: Well thank you I am honored Julia but I do not accept awards.I hope it does not make anyone mad.
Liz: They are fun to watch grow when the garden is sleeping.The smell hasn't gotten to me maybe because I only have one blooming. LOL!
Patsy: Mine are coming up outside too! Strange. LOL!
Kate: I am shameful Kate I got mine at Mallards. LOL!
Joy: Thanks hon I am sure Robin will appreciate it.
Jen: Thanks Jen and I know Robins will appreciate it.
Nezzy: Thanks hon. Hugs!
Eileen: Oh your amaryllis is so beautiful on your header. Must be Peach Blossom.
The product of your forcing is quite lovely and I'll bet sweetly fragrant. Mother nature is doing some forcing of her own around here. I have daffodils up with buds that will never bloom now. Silly weather!
Those blue hyacinths are beautiful. This Christmas I received paperwhites and an amaryllis as presents. DH does not like the scent of paperwhites but I do so it's a draw. Lol
I love your blue and yellow container that you used for the bulbs. I usually have paper whites blooming indoors this time of year. I know what you mean about the fragrance..it is strong.
Your blog looks very cheery with the yellow header...love it!
I absolutely LOVE hyacinths. Will have to force some next year. Sure do like your double Amaryllis...what a beauty.
Any word on how Robin lost her blog postings? Nice of you to do a link for her.
I often force bloom my Amaryllis & Hippeastrum - keeping them in the fridge for 4 weeks.
The paperwhites fragrance is a bit strong for indoors I agree. Beautiful hyacinth...may be a good thing ony one of those is blooming at a time,they can be quite strong too.
Beautiful photos. Brings spring indoors. It can't come soon enough for me!
T: I know girl mine are coming up too.
Sweetbay: Well you can appreciate them when you are home alone and hide them when he is home. LOL!
Amy: Thanks for dropping by!
Janet:I love this amaryllis too. The blooms are so big and frosty.
James: IT is fun to have blooms in the winter even if this one has not been bad at all. Thanks for dropping by.
Darla: Have a great week kiddo.
Chris: I cannot wait either.
I've never tried to force bulbs, but I love the blue hyacinth! I can imagine how wonderful your whole house smells!
First, I love your header! It's so sunny and cheerful!
It's lovely to visit here and dream of Spring bulbs. I haven't tried forcing any this year :(
These are wonderful! I forced some paperwhites around the holidays, and they were fragrant throughout the house. I usually force hyacinths, but I did not get to it this year. I can admire yours...
Beautiful flowers! They must smell heavenly.
Thanks for putting the link to Robin's blog. I have been having a horrible time with Blogspot and can't 'manage' the blogs I follow, so I'll just have to bookmark her new blog.
Lona, it was so sweet of you to tell everyone about my blog address! And the support here, I sure appreciate it. Anyone who wants to know the details, feel free to comment on my blog and I'll send you a note, it's long and complicated. And thanks for your support all!
Great article! I have forced tulips indoors but what I found is sometimes I am late to buy tulip bulbs and then they are gone! Plus I hate the step of the 14 weeks of chilling!
Very few stores offer pre-chilled bulbs for sale, and it is so hard to find tulip bulbs around this time of the year.
I found one site though:
http://www.botanicalart.etsy.com.
They have a great collection of tulip bulbs that are pre-chilled and ready to bloom indoors.
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