Forcing Crocus for Winter Blooms
So I planted the last of the new Tulip bulbs in their pots. But then last year’s bulbs were sitting in a bucket and demanding, “What about us?”
As I said in an earlier post, most of the container Tulips rotted over the summer. There were some survivors, though, more often Crocus than Tulips. Maybe the Crocus got less moisture because they were closer to the surface, maybe they can just better tolerate the frequent watering.
Almost all the Crocus and a few of the Tulips had broken dormancy, with pale sprouts reaching upward. My understanding is that this is to be expected, but that the Crocus are “frozen” over winter, and the stem doesn’t break the surface of the soil until early spring.
I thought this would be a good opportunity to acquire some cheap indoor winter blooms. The survivors of summer yielded two small containers planted with bulbs for forcing. Most people say that bulbs should be chilled for 12-16 weeks. So if I count October as part of the chilling period, I can bring the containers inside by early January.
The two pots closest to the camera are my forcing pots. They’ll just chill for a couple of months. I’ll move them into the garage with the rest of the pots after Thanksgiving.
There are still a few Tulip bulbs left over – I plan to slip them into the Parkway Bed.
Are you planning to force any bulbs inside over the winter?
gardeninacity 
I’ve only forced bulbs once before, but it was so much fun. Should really reconsider doing it again. Looking forward to seeing how yours do…
I just put a whole bunch of daffs in the fridge for forcing later.
I used to force bulbs all the time but I can’t remember ever doing crocuses. They should bloom I would think.
Guess we’ll see.
I have had terrible luck with crocus because inevitably they get eaten by rodentious creatures (even Tommy crocus, apparently); I should try forcing a pot of them one of these days. I’d have to cover the pots with something mouseproof, though, while they are outdoors chilling.
That’s exactly why I’m trying them inside. We’ll see if it works.
No. I don’t usually do this but when you talk it up I at least think about it.
I don’t have total confidence, but I’m willing to experiment.
I’ve never forced bulbs, but I’ll look forward to seeing yours.
Keeping my fingers crossed. We’ll see how it goes.
I have absolutely no luck with crocus, although other gardeners in our part of the world don’t have a problem, so I’ll admit defeat and just look forward to yours!
That’s too bad. Not a cold enough winter? Or hungry rodents?
I’ve got no idea!
The contents of all my crocus pots have been eaten by wood mice. They don’t go for anything else, just delicious crocus corms.
How infuriating!
I’ll continue to enjoy and admire your posts and photos of forced bulbs from afar!
I hope there is something to enjoy! We’ll see!
No, I will not be forcing any bulbs this year. When I find bulbs that survive in (client’s) pots, I just find a convenient spot to bury them out of the way in the garden. If they survive, that would be fine. If not, it is no big loss. I did happen to plant a whole bunch of dahlias from pots in a clients garden, only to get them cut down by someone else with a weed whacker. It actually killed all of them!
I have tried that with tulips and daffodils. The results didn’t encourage me to continue. 😀
Sorry to hear that. We’ll see how it works for me.
I had never thought to try forcing crocuses. What a good idea! I don’t usually force other bulbs as the scent of daffodils or hyacinths is too pungent for us. But crocuses… maybe next year!
I never noticed that Crocus has a scent, of course they are so close to the ground …
Oh your poor crocuses, survived your watering last year and now to be forced inside!
It’s a hard life for a corm.
That will be fun! I have a few Hyacinths in some pots that I bring inside every year. It is really fun to anticipate those early blooms in late winter/early spring!
Haven’t tried Hyacinths. You like the fragrance?
Great job, Jason!
Hopefully you have a nice vernal bloom. I did force the tulips bulbs, not sure what the result will be.
Happy weekend!
Thank you, Nadezda!
Something to look forward to!
Jason, I tried to leave my comment on your latest CBG post, but no luck. As many times as I’ve visited the city, I have yet to stop at the gardens. Someday.
It’s worth a visit. I accidentally turned off the comment function on the post, sorry about that. It’s fixed now.
I’ve never forced bulbs, mine just go straight into the ground. I’ve noticed lots of bulbs coming up, a hard frost should halt that.xxx
None of our bulbs have come up so early – except for the Muscari who are supposed. to.