How to Force Tulip Bulbs in Water

This post brought to you by iBulb. All opinions are 100% mine.

Give me flowers any day of the week and see me smile, but give me tulips and you have just made this lady a very happy woman! I adore tulips. Blame it on my genes, I’m Dutch. In years past you could find me each fall, out in the garden with my bulb digger, planting a multitude of spring blooming bulbs. I think my record year (as far as bulb planting effort is concerned) was 450 bulbs. My house looked FABULOUS! But that was a lot of work. For all you non-green thumbs and impatient peeps, I want to share a little trick about How to Force Tulip Bulbs in Water.

   I’m going to share actually 2 ways to force bulbs in water:   

 

#1) The: “proper” gardener way (ie: Martha Stewart’s method I’m sure)

 

and

 

#2) The: “they’ll never know I cheated - way” (ie: enough said).

 

Both ways result in a vase full of gorgeous blooms.  Choose your method based on your conscience. heehee.

Let’s first take a look at the “Proper Gardener/ Martha’s” way…. do you have your sunhat, goulashes, and gardening gloves on? Yes? Well then darlin’, shall we proceed?

There are a few things you need to do first in order to ensure your tulips will bloom.

 

#1) Bigger IS Better. In the fall, choose large tulip bulbs from your garden center, grocery store, or flower shop. The larger the bulb, the bigger the bloom. Pass on discount, smaller bulbs. You will not be happy with the results.

 

#2) Bulbs need a specific amount of cold-sleepy time. Most tulips need between 12-15 weeks. The cold-sleepy time will be listed on the bulb package. Each variety can vary. You can buy your bulbs and then place them in your refrigerator or this amount of time. Keep them away from apples though. The gas emitted from fruit like apples will prevent them from blooming. So a garage fridge is a great option.  Always chill for the recommended time and never less. Chilling for less time will result in zero blooms.

 

#3) Now that your bulbs have been chilled the minimum amount of time, take them out of the fridge. Gather together a tall vase, some glass beads and your bulbs.

 

 

#4) Place a handful or two of glass beads in your glass vase. Arrange the bulbs, pointed side up, on top of the glass beads. Place another handful or two of additional glass beads around the bulbs.

#5) Fill water in the vase to just under the bottom of the bulbs. You do not want the water to touch the base of the bulbs.

#6) Place in a room with bright, indirect sunlight and watch the bulbs grow! Roots will work their way down through the glass beads into the water. Be sure to keep the water always at an optimal level.

After a few weeks, your tulips will look like this. The tall sides of the vase help support the tulip stems.

 

Ready for the “They’ll never know I cheated” way?

 

#1) Buy potted bulbs from the grocery store, flower store, or garden center. Choose ones that have not bloomed yet.

 

#2) Empty the pot, and gently shake off all the loose soil from the bulbs, all the while, protecting the tender roots.

 

#3) Rinse each sprouting bulb under cool water to wash away the soil.

 

#4) Trim roots to 2 inches long with scissors and place in glass vase with glass beads. Follow the rest of the directions as listed above.

 

 

#5) Give the tulip bulbs to someone you love!

These gorgeous tulips pictured below were given to my mother from a friend. I’ll be giving my vase to my little sister for her birthday!

 

Forcing tulips in water is a fun, easy, and a unique way to present tulips that most people have not seen before. I think showing the natural beauty of the bulb is a pure, modern, and minimalist approach to floral design. Give it a try, and I promise not to tell which method you choose!

 

Click to find out more great ideas for  potted bulbs or visit this Pinterest page: Dig Drop Done

 

Kim

 

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