Winter bulbs from the greenhouse

Since a bulb contains all it needs to bloom the first year, you don’t have to plant it in any particular soil, but if you want to transplant it to the garden later, use a good potting soil with the addition of bone meal or bulb food to help the bulbs prepare for a future in the garden. Give a good drainage base of clean washed sand or gravel.

1. The pot should be filled to one-half to three-quarters full with potting mix and then moistened. Gently press the bulbs into the soil with the broad base down, and the nose pointed up.
2. Arrange mixed bulbs as closely together as possible without touching each other or the pot.
3. Face the flat side of tulip bulbs toward the outside of the pot.
Place the pot a dark, cool area for 12 weeks or longer. The temperature must remain below 48 degrees F. but above freezing (35-40 degrees is recommended). Total darkness is best.

1. Once the roots begin growing out of the drainage holes in the pots or the shoots start to grow from the top give the bulbs a gradual transition to warmth. Don't expose them to warm temperatures swiftly or the blooms will emerge to fast and will fail before they ever open. Start them out in the coolest spot of your home – a shed is good, and gradually move them to warmer areas; under the greenhouse bench for example. This will make the flowers last much longer. Don't expose pale or white foliage to full sun until it has 'greened' up in a few days.
2. Rotate the pots one-quarter turn every few days to keep the foliage and stems upright.
3. Keep the soil moist, but never let it get waterlogged.