HGTV's Great Indoors visits a commercial grower who specializes in forcing bulbs. The process begins a full year before the bulbs appear in stores, when they're ordered from Holland. Bulbs are delivered to the greenhouses in August, and within about 10 weeks all the bulbs are potted, then moved to a cooler, where they'll stay for about three months. About 55,000 pots are prepared each year. The grower imports 650,000 bulbs each year, for potting and cut-flower production. It takes five truckloads of growing mix to plant the potted bulbs. Some bulbs bloom more quickly than others. The grower combines several types of bulbs in one container -- crocuses (figure A), daffodils (figure B) and hyacinths (figure C) -- so that the customer can enjoy a show of color for several weeks. If your home is on the cool side, the blooms won't color up as fast, but they'll last much longer.
When you purchase a commercially prepared bulb pot, look for roots coming out the bottom of the drainage holes. That means the bulbs have developed a good root system. To plant your own pot of blooming bulbs, line a basket with plastic sheeting. Use bulbs such as daffodils, hyacinths and tulips. Place the planted pot in the basket, and cover the pot with moss. You've got an instant garden that makes a wonderful centerpiece or gift.
RESOURCES :
Flower bulb information
For bulbs from Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Brent and Becky's Bulbs
Gloucester, VA 23061
Phone: 804-693-3966
Fax: 804-693-9436
Website: http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com
For bulbs from the Van Bourgondien Brothers
Van Bourgondien Brothers
Babylon, NY 11702-9004
Phone: 516-669-3500
Fax: 516-669-1228
Email: blooms@dutchbulbs.com
Website: http:www.dutchbulbs.com
For bulbs from Dutch Gardens
Dutch Gardens
Lakewood, NJ 08701
Email: info@dutchgardens.com
Website: http://www.dutchgardens.com
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