Forcing tulips is becoming more and more popular these days. It lets us enjoy beautifully flowering tulips not only in spring but also on frosty winter days. What could be more beautiful than our favourite multicoloured tulips blooming on a January morning? Not all bulbs are suitable for forcing, though. A few rules should guide your choice. First, the bulbs must be healthy and of high quality – only then is there a good chance that the plant will not only come up but also flower. Low-growing varieties are best for this kind of growing, because plants grown in pots tend to stretch, and tall varieties may then look rather unattractive. The last important rule is that forced bulbs do not flower the following year.
Now for the forcing itself. At first the bulbs must lie in a dark, cool place for several weeks. Airy, dark cellars are ideal. This lets the plant develop its root system. Be careful not to expose the bulbs to temperature shock, as this can make them wither. Pot the plants in late autumn or early winter. Large pots are best, with more than 5 cm between the tulips and with drainage holes. The potting mix should be a blend of peat and ordinary potting compost. Then move the potted plants to a room with a temperature of about 10 °C and leave them there for ten weeks, watering them generously throughout. Then move them to a warmer (but still cool) room that is still shaded. Only after a week should they be put in the light.
Planting tulips this way in September, you can see them flowering as early as December.