Too early to begin chilling bulbs?

I have some bulbs that I'd like to chill for forcing. Is it too early to start them? They are already in bags so they won't get to remain the ground anyway. Mostly daffodils and hyacinth. Advice appreciated.

Yes it is too early to start chilling......the flower needs to be formed inside before you can start doing that.

Usually these flowers are formed by the later part of August.

Are these newly bought bulbs or are they dug from your garden?

They are newly bought, so I assume that planting them now is out of the question.

I just wonder......................where did you buy them???????????????

I hope it's not too early. I pulled some bulbs (out of a pot) that showed NO growth at all since last fall, cleaned them and put them in a bag in the fridge. If I lose them, I lose them. They weren't growing anyway!

Online. If they aren't going to bloom let me know. The ones I have in the ground here have already died back, so I didn't think that it was a problem. But if they aren't going to work, I want to know now before I waste my time chilling and planting them. Thanks for the replies.

how do i chill daffy bulbs. what is the process

I just put them in the fridge and leave them there a coupe of months. The ones I started this thread about, and all I have purchased since have been in there. Then pot them, water, and put them in a cool place. My limited experience is that you can't cheat on the chilling time.

I've got a bunch in the fridge. Don't want to plant them because I may move before next spring.

My experience is that you can shorten the time that they are potted, because they want to bloom in spring regardless, but you can't shorten the chilling period. So delaying potting works out alright. They may not be as nice the next season without the long rooting period, but they are fine for blooming this year.

thanks; i work at a daycare and we put in a small sensory garden for the children;some grant funding sent us 200 bulbs to plant and i would like to force some indoors with the munchkins. so appreciate that i can cold storage them without soil and then plant in soil.

Cheryl,

What bulbs did you get? Some force a whole lot easier than others.

Do all bulbs need to spend a period of time in the fridge? I have never grown bulbs before, but just purchased a package of crocus from Costco. It's a pretty large bag and it says there are 80 inside - if I don't need to take up fridge space that would be ideal, but I also want to be as successful at it as possible. We don't have much of a winter here, so perhaps they need to feel cold for a while? Thanks! :D

Crocus need a chilling period. Just throw them in the fridge. In your climate, they may need to be chilled longer than usual. Also, rodents love crocus bulbs and blossoms.

mostly tulips and daffys. a few hyacinths. i thought we would plant about 100 in the ground and force the rest indoors after chilling. last year i did a hyacinth in an hour glass shaped vase filled with water. the kids enjoyed watching the roots grow from the bottom and sprout from the top. i wonder if a tulip bulb would work . i guess the only way i will find out is to try it.

Tulips and Daffodils need to go in soil. Do not force the Tulips, after chilling, in too warm a temperature....it may dry up the bud.

How long would you suggest I chill the crocus? I was also thinking of gladioulus - do they need chilling too? As for rodents, I bummed to hear that. We have a terrible rabbit problem here and crocus was on my list of things they don't eat.

The rabbits will eat the crocus buds as soon as they appear. At least that's what happens in my area. I usually chill them for at least a 6 weeks to 2 months. The ones that are chilled longer tend to do better.

This message was edited Oct 19, 2005 10:30 PM

Thanks, I stuck them in the fridge last night and will plan on planting them around Thanksgiving. :)