Force Bulbs Indoors in time for Holiday Flowers

I’m in the Fall mood and have been decorating the house with cozy autumn touches. Instead of decorating the whole house with pumpkins and orange and brown, I’m going more a organic route with textures of wood, dried stems and natural materials. Usually during the holidays I like to decorate with paper whites, but I’ve never forced them inside because I usually don’t start them far in advance to do so. The bulbs need about 3-5 weeks to bloom after planting them indoors. Planting bulbs in indoor containers for holiday flowers should begin in early fall. The best bulbs to plant for the holidays are paper whites and amaryllis because they do not need to be chilled, whereas your spring bulbs need a chill period of about 3 months. Once paper whites and amaryllis are planted, they are easy growers and add so many beauty to a room, especially when the short, cold days come along. If you’d like to see how I’ve decorated my house last year, I posted all about updating my living space for fall.

Supplies for Planting Bulbs Indoor Containers

Bulbs

Soil/Dirt

glass container (wide opening)

moss

river rocks

sticks (optional–use for paper whites and if your container is low)

Paper whites and amaryllis are available at more local florist and cost about $1-$2 a bulb. Some things to keep in mind when planting the bulbs. Make sure to plant them roots down, stem up. You can plant them in soil, surrounded by rocks and moss to keep the moisture in. The bulbs stay above ground, except the roots. Make sure to keep the bulbs dry to prevent rotting and don’t put water over the bulbs, only on the roots. You can plant them in watertight containers with their roots in the water and their bodies above. Plant bulbs close tougher but with enough space between. And remember to always keep the the tips of the bulbs uncovered.

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1. Fill your glass container with a little bit of soil them add moss and rocks to the perimeter so you can mostly see the moss through the glass container.
2. Before you place the bulbs on top of the soil, pour a cup of water on the soil so it is moist, but not oversaturated.
3. Next place the bulbs roots down, stems up. Keep them snug in the container but also a little separated between moss
4. If your container is low, place sticks between the bulbs so as the paper whites grows the stems will have a place to lean up against to prevent it falling over. I added moss to my sticks (found in my backyard) with spray adhesive!

For added texture, replant grocery-store orchids in fun containers and add moss and rocks.

Planting bulbs in indoor containers will be enjoyed through all the holiday months ahead!