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© St. Petersburg Times, published November 1, 2002
October's 85-degree days did little to get us into a fall mind set. Even with November upon us, I have not yet added my fall and winter color to the beds. It could be Thanksgiving before I add the annuals and perennials I so much enjoy in the winter. At this time, I'm really just maintaining my landscape. If you are looking for something a little different in your landscape, think about bulbs.
Bulbs are prolific in the garden centers now. Choose carefully. The fact that they are sold locally does not mean they will thrive in the garden. Many of the bulbs are better suited to a northern climate. There are some bulbs, though, that will do well here. Consider African lily, amaryllis, calla, crinum, spider lily, day lily, watsonia, gladiolus and zephyr lily.
To ensure success, spend some time preparing the bed. The soil should be tilled and amended with a three- or four-inch layer of organic matter such as compost, rotted manure, shredded leaves, peat or bags from potting soil. Add a good all-purpose fertilizer such as a 6-6-6 and mix into the soil. Rake the area smooth and water lightly before planting bulbs.
Once the bed is prepared, bulbs can be planted in neat rows or in more informal naturalized drifts. The space between bulbs and the depth of planting will be spelled out on the package. After planting, water in well and control weeds by spreading a two-inch layer of mulch over the bed. Fertilize once or twice during the growing season and water when dry.
After they flower, allow the foliage to remain on the plant until it has yellowed and dried up. The nutrients from the foliage return to the bulb and are used in the next blooming cycle. If you don't like the looks of the withering foliage, hide it with other plant material, or roll the leaves down and tie loosely with twine.
If you just can't stand not seeing the more typical Northern bulbs in bloom, you may be interested in forcing -- a method that tricks the bulbs into thinking a Northern winter has come and gone so they will bloom indoors.
Forcing indoor bulbs in Florida will certainly add an unexpected sight in your home, and doing so is usually cheaper than buying a bouquet at the florist. The most important fact to remember is that the Northern bulbs must receive a winter chill period before they will bloom. You have two options in Florida. You can buy the bulbs at a garden center or through a mail order catalog and then chill the bulbs yourself or you can purchase pre-chilled bulbs. These may be hard to find in town and may need to be mail ordered.
Generally a 60-day chill period at about 40 degrees will work. The vegetable drawer of the home refrigerator generally meets the temperature requirements for chilling bulbs. Be careful though, because bulbs chilled with ripening fruit may fail to bloom. The gas (ethylene) produced by ripening fruit can cause flower buds inside the bulb to abort. The bulbs will then produce leaves, but they will never flower. Place the bulbs in a paper bag. A plastic bag may hold too much moisture, and the bulbs may rot. Label the bag with the date the bulbs were placed inside the refrigerator so that you know when the chill period is completed.
Bulbs should be planted immediately after they are removed from storage or received in the mail. The advantage of cold storage treatment may be lost completely if they remain at room temperature too long before planting.
Bulbs can be planted in a pot and then placed in the refrigerator for the chill period also. Keep the soil slightly moist. This is best done if you have an old refrigerator in your garage.
The flowers on forced bulbs will not last as long as when grown outdoors up North, whether you put them inside or outside. The temperature is just too warm for them to perform at their best. Also, after forcing once, bulbs need to be discarded.
But if you would like to add a few days of color or work on a garden project with children, this is a good project. After you have forced bulbs a few times, the schedule will become clear and you can have forced flowers for special occasions, or to give as gifts.