It is a lovely idea to get you through the cold gray days of winter; forcing bulbs to add fragrance and color to your life indoors. Although with planning you can trick almost any bulbs to bloom early indoors, there are a few that do not require such careful planning. Most bulbs require a "chilling" period of about 3-4 months. That means you needed to start the mandatory chilling, either by putting bulbs in the refrigerator or pot up and put in a cold spot, months ago.

However for Amaryllis, Paperwhite Narcissus or Chinese sacred lilies this chilling period is not required. Since these bulbs are adapted to the warm winters of their more tropical origins (they would not be hardy outdoors here) they can simply be purchased, planted and within 4-8 weeks you will have lovely blossoms to enjoy indoors.

The Amaryllis, belonging to the genus Hippeastrum, requires 6-8 weeks to bloom indoors. I like to start them so they are several weeks from bloom at holiday time and give them as gifts. This way, the recipient gets to enjoy watching the buds swell and flowers open. What a show! Purchased bulbs should be planted in a container that is 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb. Any sterile humus rich potting mixture will work well. The top third of the bulb needs to be well above the soil level making sure the neck of the bulb is not covered. Consider planting bulbs in multiples (3, 5, and 7) for on outstanding effect. The soil should be kept moist and they grow best in a 65-70 degree temperature zone. Containers should drain well with a hole in the bottom. Make sure saucers do not hold standing water. Eventually, the bulbs will sprout roots, leaves then stems will emerge. Stems are sturdy and easily hold the floriferous trumpets that follow. After leaves emerge, fertilize every 2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Often you feel you can watch them growing before your very eyes! Place next to a window in bright light; make sure you keep them in a room you frequent so you can watch this marvelous show. Most Amaryllis do not have a strong fragrance, however, they do give off a fresh scent. Although bulbs can be pampered into subsequent years of bloom, it is a tedious process, which is not always successful.

I would like to recommend the miniature varieties of Amaryllis. Although the blossoms are not as large, there are many flowers per stem and the stems are a bit shorter. Flower heads are usually held up at about 16-20 inches. Colors range from whites to yellows, pinks and peach to strong reds and maroon. Here are some you might enjoy: 'Green Goddess', 'Jaguar', 'Naughty Lady' and 'Yellow Goddess'. Of the large flowering Amaryllis 'Apple Blossom' and 'Minerva' are true classics. Both the large flowering and the African hybrids each usually produce two stems that hold 4 trumpet shaped flowers for you.

The Paperwhite narcissus and Chinese sacred lilies are both types of the Narcissus tazetta. These are so very easy to grow and require less time to reach bloom, usually only 4 weeks. Start them in potting soil in a container or just rocks in the bottom of any vase, bowl or container. The top third of these bulbs also need to be above the soil/growing medium. I feel they always look best when bulbs are planted in groupings. They need one week in a cooler spot, like your basement, to encourage roots to start growing. Then they can be placed in a sunny window area as the foliage emerges. Flower stalks begin to grow about the 3rd or 4th week. My experience has always been that these bulbs require some staking with sting to keep from getting too floppy. I have used chop sticks and green string to keep them tidy in the past. Sometimes I just cut the flowers and foliage and putting them in a vase and using them as a cut flower. This season I am going to try growing them in a tall vase in a rock medium. Since they grow 14-16 inches tall, planting them in a tall clear vase will keep the foliage and flowers neat and tidy inside the vase yet I can still watch them grow. Paperwhites and Chinese Sacred Lilies are extremely fragrant! The paperwhites come in varieties ranging in color from white, cream to yellow. The sacred lilies are usually white with yellow trumpets.

If you would like to learn more about forcing bulbs indoors, there are several wonderful books available for you. May I recommend forcing,etc by Katherine Whiteside. This lovely book might inspire you to take on other types of bulbs to force next year.

These all make wonderful holiday gifts for gardeners, those who enjoy flowers and those who are housebound. I always feel those who receive them always appreciate a gift more if you have put some extra effort into creating it. So give the gift of flowers and don't forget to include yourself on the list!

Here are some examples of what amaryllis look like.

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