Hope springs eternal, as does the idea that the ground in my neck of the woods will, eventually, thaw. Nurseries (despite my current thermometer readings) are fairly certain that’s going to happen, and any day now they’re going to start stocking tulip/lily/narcissus/whatever bulbs at a buck a pop or so, and eight or ten weeks from now the remainders will go on sale for less than that. About the same time those remainders go on sale I will hopefully be moving into a new apartment and I have this plan, only I don’t know if it’s workable.
I’d like to (hypothetically, of course, as I don’t have a new apartment yet) take a drawer from my refrigerator to a nursery and fill it with bulbs of all sorts, let them hang out in the dark and cool until October, then force them - six or eight a week - when it’s really gross outside.
I know it’s possible to force bulb plants; I just don’t know how to do it. The only thing I know I’ll really need is grow lights, as it’s quite dark here from October through March.
I know nothing about bulbs. Is this idea of mine workable? Will bulbs keep from May til October in a refrigerator? What can I do to make sure the bulbs produce something besides mold? Assuming I actually get some blooms, what do I do with the vegetation after the blooms die off? Can I take those bulbs out of the dirt and toss them back into the fridge for another go-round? How many go-rounds will a bulb last?
Bulbs that bloom in the spring, viz. tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodils,etc. are potted up in the late fall and winter, to have them ready for the Spring flower holidays. Nestled in a pot of moist soil, and kept cool and in the dark[like a refrigerator crisper drawer] for 6-10 weeks, the leaf tips eventually show through at soil level. You then bring them out into the light, in a bright location, continue to keep the soil moist and eventually they’ll bloom. All the energy for bloom is packed into the bulbs when you buy them. Once flowering is done, the party’s over. Unless you can plant them outside to photosynthesize and re-energize for another show of blooms next year[leave them in the ground, though] If you’ll be doing this, leave the foliage on, otherwise the bulbs are doomed.They sell certain varieties that are easier to force, but I’ve tried others and most of them do produce blooms. You won’t find the Spring bulbs out this Spring, those where on sale last fall. Paperwhite narcissus will probably be available, they can just be anchored with pebbles in an appropriate container,watered, and they’ll bloom. Their scent is kinda’ “inky” to my nose at least. Just as aside, already-potted up bulbs, at the florist/supermarket/nursery are usually inexpensive enough that you can treat yourself every coupla’ weeks. Good luck. My favorite? Daffodils, can’t beat 'em for a sure sign of Spring.