Forced

Wow. Those are beautiful.

Question - Did you cover those pots while they were refrigerated? I have seen articles that say you should cover the pots to ensure darkness, but don't know if that's needed.

I'm trying some tulips and daffs in the fridge for the first time ever and would appreciate advice.

jo

Thanks GeorgiaJo.
I recently received a shipment from Scheeper's that I plan to prepare to force for a new indoor season. As you may have noted in the refrigerator pic, the refrig. I use is dedicated completely to forcing over winter. As such it's only subject to a little light when its necessary to water the pots and that's maybe every 3 weeks. Before obtaining the basement refrig. (and it was obtained for this very purpose) I would force a few in our reg. refrig. but I've never covered them when they were there (either). The bulbs will have grown up to 6"+ above soil when extracted from refrig. Seems having to keep them covered when so growing would be impractical.
I do have some advise on a couple of points that might help if unknown:
a) If you're using a refrig. that is also used for kitchen stuff, do not put fruit in there as the ethelene (sp?) gas fruit produces is toxic to bulbs (apples are reputedly the worst).
b) After you initially pot up the bulbs and water them let them initiate initial root growth for a week or so (in a 60° environment if possible) before placing them in refrig.
c) When taken out of refrig. I usually allow them time under fluorescent lights I have in the basement where temps are usually in the 55-60° range until the buds are about to open before introduction upstairs.
The last two advises aren't absolutely necessary but do allow the blooms greater longevity.

Thanks for the quick response. This refrigerator will only rarely be used for food storage. It's in the little in-law apartment we added for my recently deseased mom-in-law. Dot loved flowers (it's one of the interests we shared) and would be thrilled to know her fridge is being put to such good use.
One more question - re your item #b above: I potted the bulbs up and put them in the fridge about 24 hours ago. Should I take them out of the fridge for a week? Or would that confuse them?
thx in advance
jo

I'd just let em stay in there at this point.