Saving Forced Bulbs

Potted daffodils, received during the winter as gift plants, may be kept and planted in the garden in spring. However, it often takes 2 to 3 years for bulbs to come back into bloom after they have been "forced" for indoor use. It isn't worth your while to even try tulips.

While indoors, keep your bulb plants actively growing. Remove the flowers after blooming, to prevent seeds from forming. Place the plants in a cool, very sunny location. Keep the soil slightly moist to the touch, until the leaves mature or die down naturally. Fertilize about once a month with a water soluble houseplant fertilizer. The longer the leaves stay green and healthy, the stronger the bulb, and the better its chances for blooming the following year.

Store the bulbs in a dark, dry location over the summer. Then plant them in October, the same as you would new ones. Discard any bulbs that have grown soft or diseased in storage.

Care for the bulbs outdoors as you would any others. With luck, they'll bloom again, eventually. For more information, visit the Yard and Garden Line web site.