Traditionally , tulips ( Tulipa app . ) have been stalwarts of spring - blooming gardens and grunge - based force pots grow for indoor winter blooms . Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3 through 8 , these dependable bulbs force easy indoors . By using techniques perfected by hydroponic tulip growers , you’re able to pull tulips into flower without soil . With the right approach and preparation , tulip bulbs can root and blossom in nothing but water indoors .
Choose the Best
To grow tulip bulbs in weewee , prize varieties befit to indoor forcing . The requirements are the same as when you force tulips in grunge . As with outdoor bulbs , indoor tulips require autumn preparations to get the cooling period the bulbs necessitate . grease one’s palms bulb in fall for midwinter blooms . select large , healthy , firm , undamaged lightbulb — the big the better . Professional tulip forcers prefer bulbs at least 1 1/2 in in diam or 4 1/2 column inch in circumference . Most classical , undivided tulip force easy , as do many peony - type tulips with handsome , fully double blooms . Ask the store specifically for varieties recommended for indoor forcing .
The Big Chill
To stimulate future flowers , tulips demand a stale menses . nerveless - climate garden get it naturally , but indoor tulips need hokey chill . In soil - based forcing , tulip are potted before chilling . For water forcing , unpotted lightbulb are chill dry . Twelve to 14 weeks is standard for most tulips . Varieties that flower other outdoors bloom first indoors , too . Warm - clime gardener who lack winter thrill in their gardens use this same chilling procedure . Refrigerate your bulbs in a paper bag — away from light bulb - destroy , ethylene - producing fruits — at 33 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit . Next , " plant life " your tulip in water supply , and permit them to take root another two to four weeks .
Clearly Superior
container for soilless tulips keep weewee within reach while keeping bulbs teetotal . As in the garden , soggy bulbs waste . A tall , clean-cut vase holds tulip upright and lets you monitor water levels . add together 2 inches of decorative pebble in the bottom to elevate the light bulb , or use a electric-light bulb pivot tray , usable through floral supply stores , to support medulla between pins . Place bulbs two-dimensional side out , because this is where the first leaf comes . Classic incandescent lamp vases with constrict neck keep single medulla safely above water in their upper cups . Whatever containers you choose , keep water 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the bulb bottoms . No H2O should touch the medulla .
Timing Is Everything
Once root grow 1 to 2 inch during chilling , top emergence begins . Move your tulips into a cool elbow room , about 60 to 65 F , until you see gullible shoots . Keep the weewee level refill , then move your tulips into more Inner Light and warmth . Keep them out of direct sunshine to prolong the flower . When using sizeable tulip bulbs for home forcing , you do n’t need to add fertilizer and using it could lead to thin , weak stems . Everything the bulb requires is inside . Tulips forced indoors exhaust their energy provide wintry springtime blooms . Discard the bulbs after their unfolding passes , and begin again next fall .
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