Get Them While They’re Still Fresh

Growing bulbs that, left to themselves, would flower next spring is not hard for novices. Some require "forcing," six to twelve weeks cold treatment to bring into bloom. Others may be stored in a frost-free place until potted up four weeks or so before they are required to bloom.

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The main drawback is that the bulbs are not likely to last long in garden centre bins. Buy now to enjoy later. Meanwhile store in paper bags--never, ever plastic--in said cool place. First the really easy ones, as fail-safe as anything in the plant world can be: Paper White Narcissus blooms will last longer when bulbs are planted in soil. Use clay pots to avoid later tragedy of tipping from the weight of the foliage and flowers. Three to five bulbs fit nicely into a 6-inch pot, almost touching each other. Plant so about two-thirds of each bulb is buried with just the "nose" above the soil. They will not require light until the first shoots emerge, when they should be moved to a bright but cool window. If there is any secret here, it lies in the watering: never soggy, never allowing to dry out completely. Pot up a few every two weeks commencing early next month for a continuous deliciously scented display. Ariel--large white blooms, sweet fragrance Chinese Sacred Lilies--white flowers, yellow centres, delightful fragrance, 17" Galilee--white, moderate musky fragrance, 14", 4-5 weeks to blooming Grand Soleil D'Or--golden yellow, orange cup, delicate fragrance; 16-20"; do not plant until sprouts at least 1" long; 5-6 weeks to bloom Imbal--pure white flowers Paperwhite Ziva--white, strong fragrance, 3-4 weeks to bloom, 16" "Prepared" Hyacinths are in the stores now. Available in many colours, pot up in a similar fashion to paperwhite narcissus, although a single bulb can fit in a four-inch clay pot. And clay pots, perhaps even with pebbles in the bottom for additional weight, are la r√®gle du jeu. Culture is also similar to the narcissus and like them, unfortunately, once finished blooming are truly fini. Early in the New Year, florists, supermarkets and other retailers will be offering blooming pots of tulips, daffodils, crocus and snowdrops these are not difficult to "force" into bloom. Indeed any bulb varieties labelled early- or mid-season are suitable candidates. Place the bulbs in carefully labelled paper bags in the fridge on the tray above the crisper (in it is too damp). Leave for 10 to 12 weeks, and then pot up at intervals and culture as before. Some enthusiasts even keep an older fridge in the basement and treat already potted bulbs for the required weeks of cool, but not freezing temperatures. The most spectacular bulbs for winter flowering are Amaryllis. Not only do they make great gifts but are a perfect project for children. The huge bulbs--as always, the bigger the bulb, the better the display--are potted "tight," with little space between the bulb and the rim of the clay pot. Amaryllis are selected and treated to bloom four to six weeks after planting. While tending to be more "pricey" than other bulbs, with a little care they can flower again year after year. Snip the decaying flower stalk back, then water and fertilize every couple of weeks until late August. Barely water into September, allowing the soil to almost dry out and the foliage to die back, allowing the bulb to "rest." Increase watering in November for a repeat blooming. In recent years, increased interest in Amaryllis has created many new and spectacular selections. Botanically these should be correctly Hippeastrum, most of which originated in the Americas, although one species comes from Africa. Be that a sit may, Dutch hybridizers have been busy to the delight of Amaryllis--or Hippeastrum--fanciers everywhere. Sarah Raven of Britain's The Daily Telegraph was particularly impressed with Amaryllis 'Green Goddess' but there are no less than nine groups recognized by KAVB, the official worldwide institution for Amaryllis registration (see in parenthesis below). We have been reliably informed that the following should be available here this season though, as always, forget the big box stores and check out your local garden centre. Christmas Blooming Amaryllis Blushing Bride (Diamond) white flushed pink blooms Candyfloss (Galaxy) rose pink blooms Gold Medal (Galaxy) salmon orange flowers with paler edge Merry Christmas (Galaxy) large red blooms Milady (Galaxy) large perfect pink flowers Miracle (Galaxy) deep vivid red flowers Pizazz (Galaxy) red flowers with white stripes and edges Double Christmas Amaryllis Ragtime (Double Galaxy) fiery red flowers Rozetta (Double Galaxy) rose pink flowers with white at the centre Snow White (Double Galaxy) white flowers with a yellow-green heart Hybrid Dutch Amaryllis ‚ Apple Blossom (Galaxy) white with pink Black Pearl (Galaxy) velvety dark maroon Charisma (Diamond) white petals with red edges Charmeur (Diamond) orange with white ribbons in the centre and a chartreuse throat Clown (Galaxy) white with red stripes Mambo (Galaxy) red with white stripe Moonlight (Diamond) green glow on white with a hint of brownish red stripes Neon (Diamond) bright pink Picotee (Diamond) white with a red margin on edge Prelude (Galaxy) scarlet red with pure white centre and edges Red Lion (Galaxy) scarlet red San Remo (Galaxy) white with raspberry details Vera (Galaxy) dark pink White Dazzler (Galaxy) most popular white variety Double Amaryllis Aphrodite (Double Galaxy) pink brush strokes, delicate red edge Blossom Peacock (Double Galaxy) fragrant blooms of white with brad red edges Dancing Queen (Double Galaxy) white with broad stroked of red Double Dragon (Double Galaxy) scarlet-red Elvas (Double Galaxy) white flushed with red at centre, fine red edges Pasadena (Double Galaxy) scarlet-red, white centre Red Peacock (Double Galaxy) scarlet-red with fine white lines White Peacock (Double Galaxy) white version of the red Multi-Flowering Amaryllis Amoretta (Diamond) white with rose stripes Estella (Trumpet) lavender pink Evergreen (Spider) apple green Scarlet Baby (Hummingbird) brilliant red