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Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Forcing Crocus Bulbs

I wanted to force paper whites this year for Christmas!
If you want them to bloom on time, you have to start them
 about 6 weeks before the big day. 
 Well I couldn't find paper white bulbs! 
I thought white crocus bulbs would be just as pretty.

When I got home and got started on my little project,
I looked online to see if there were any helpful tips.
All the instructions said that crocus bulbs need to be
in cold storage for 12 weeks before they will bloom!  
But mine already had little sprouts, so I thought
I'd try it anyway.

I planted them in this white ironstone soup tureen
from the the auctions.  It had a crack on the backside that
had been repaired, so for $1, it came home with me!


I filled the bottom with gravel for drainage
and filled it almost to the top with potting soil.
I placed the bulbs on top and barely covered them with additional soil.


I gave them a little water and put them out on the back porch
 After a week I checked inside and the little sprouts are growing!


Now I'm a little worried they will bloom and be gone
before Christmas Day! haha.
I uncovered them so they would get light, gave them
a little more water and left them out in the cold to
hopefully slow their growth a little.

I'll keep you posted on their progress!


76 comments:

  1. Crocus are much prettier than paper whites...
    paper whites ...I think...have a terrible smell :o(
    I bought some tulip bulbs...and have them in the fridge in the basement...
    Will plant those up in March...{after Florida♥}
    Enjoy your evening..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I still love the idea of forcing bulbs!

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    2. I bought bulbs to put in my outdoor containers. I need to do that this week!
      You're going to Florida again? How fun!

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    3. And I think you're right about the smell....not that it's so terrible, but it's SO strong! I'm getting excited about the crocuses...and they aren't as tall, either...which will make for a better centerpiece!

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    4. You should try it, Silver. :) You do have a green thumb, don't you? Uh...wait..no.... I seem to recall a recent story about cat nip in a hanging pot. haha...

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    5. Yes....Florida again for the month of February...
      I thought you knew...we go every year!
      After Christmas....I start getting anxious :o)

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    6. No, but I guess I didn't know you at all before last year! haha.

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  2. Great idea! And you found the perfect container for them.

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  3. What a beautiful choice in containers! We have a lot of old ironstone over here! It is just like you and your big heart to rescue an injured tureen from certain death! Two of the things I love about you is your big, tender heart and your eye for beauty! Here they come together to make a brilliant project! I am certain we will all look forward to seeing pictures of your crocuses in bloom! Will they all be white?

    Vincent

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. an injured tureen from certain death? hahaha....you crack me up!

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    2. I'm happy to put a smile on your face, little doll. Now go and have yourself a smashing day.

      Until later tonight,
      Vincent

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  4. Oh nifty! I like the white ironstone. Can't wait to see them bloom!

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  5. what a beautiful container for them, that will be a treat when they bloom!

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  6. How fun! When my boys were young I had them make presents for their aunts and uncles every year. One of the first aunt presents (and an extra for me) was pots of paperwhites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They always make a nice gift...reminds me of a pot of daffodils at Easter!

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  7. To grow or not to grow
    There at your show
    Or when and where
    As you sit and stare
    Try to control it
    And in for a fit
    Either way they'll be a hit
    Just may hit before it

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, they may bloom early!
      And I better cover them at night because of the squirrel-ies
      Would be really sad
      if they gobbled up the bulbs I had.
      Maybe I should bring them in
      so the squirrels don't commit a sin.
      lol....

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    2. lol but then the cats will
      Chew and get ill

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    3. No, that they would not do.
      They leave that to your crew!

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  8. Love these Betsy look beautiful and love the container I bought some basil seeds that I wanna plant soon is the time here!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a pot of basil sounds wonderful! I didn't plant any herbs last summer and I missed it!

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    2. Ha! Your summer was so busy dear:)
      Yes basil.is really important for me in summer we love here.
      Your container is beautiful I remember saw in country living some bulbs like yours beautiful!

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    3. Yes, it was! Maybe next summer I can remember to plant some. Chives, cilantro, basil, thyme...yum. :)

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  9. Love it. You have given me such a great idea. I have an old white soup tureen in the garage I was going to give away...I think it's going to having something blooming instead of soup steaming....Thanks Betsy...

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  10. Maybe this chilly weather will slow them down. You always have such fun ideas. (I forgot to check for my autumn crocus this year. I wonder where they are?)
    I baked up a batch of sugar cookies after supper. It's a new to me recipe. I've been looking at pretty cookies lately and I want to make some too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do you have autumn crocus? How fun. Not sure I've ever heard of that...or forgot if I did. I hope mine don't bloom too soon. It said 3-5 weeks after they have been chilled. So, they might be blooming a couple weeks early. Oh well, I'll be an expert next year. haha.

      Sugar cookies sound good. I'm going to try some shortbread owls tomorrow. haha.. Should be interesting. :)

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    2. Maybe mine haven't chilled enough yet, the crocus, I mean.
      I really like the new sugar cookie recipe I found. Maybe tomorrow I will do some decorating.

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  11. what a cool planter you found...i hope they slow it down a bit for you betsy...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If not, we'll just have beautiful blooms early. Or maybe I could plant more and stagger the blooms...hey...thanks for triggering that thought! I'll just have to do that...there's room in that planter for a second planting in a few weeks! Thanks Bri....

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  12. That tureen is perfect. It'll look gorgeous with the paperwhites blooming.

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  13. I'll be watching. I've often thought about forcing bulbs just never got around to it. I think I'd like to do a spring planter. Course, I've also eyed those gorgeous Amaryllis...maybe watching you will give me the incentive to do more than think about it. :-)

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I usually think of it too late! A spring planter would be nice...

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  14. Hi Betsy .. crocuses are challenging .. I do hope they work .. you're working your magic on them that's for sure .. but I love paper whites and the scent .. I used to buy them for my mother ... some of the nurses and carers were 'allergic' to the flower scent ... others and Mum and I thought it was wonderful .. as too hyancinths ... enjoy - they will look superb in your white tureen .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Are they challenging? Hmmm....not sure what you mean there. Hope I do it correctly!

      I love hyacinths!

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  15. I love the idea of growing a tureen of crocus! The tureen looks like a lovely piece, so this is such a great way to use something that isn't suitable for it's real purpose any more. Lovely to read your note about Spencer. We all need a good giggle sometimes so how great that he is becoming able to share that! xx

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, Spencer has warmed my heart in recent days. Autism makes it hard to be social in tune and any time they do something like this, it's a really big deal!

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  16. Crocus soup. Betsy what will you think of next? :)

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  17. I too had thought of doing paper white bulbs, but couldn't find them...look (AGAIN) how clever you are!

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  18. A perfect re-purpose for that beautiful tureen!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed on the timing, but they are going to be wonderful no matter when they pop!! blessings ~ tanna
    ps I love all of Raggedy Ann's lap dolls. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm getting excited to see them blooming in that tureen! :)

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  19. It was a lack of sunlight that made my catnip take a catnap!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. what's your reply doing way down here? :) Silly....

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  20. The library computer wouldn't let me leave the comment where it belonged. Now I can reply to another comment! What a pain... just like my original comment (posted from my phone) was supposed to stand on its own and now look like a reply to Linda's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay, it said it was gonna let me leave the comment in the right place...

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    2. but you didn't reply..again...you started a new comment. :) haha.

      and your comment looked like a reply to Linda yesterday, too,...not just now. lol......ducks....and runs... haha.

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  21. "Now" was supposed to be "not," Smartie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And it's the computer that's making these comments stand on their own! Not me!

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    2. I keep clicking on "reply" and the computer screws it up! (Let's see where this one winds up...)

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    3. Oh, I do say! This is most entertaining!

      Good day, The Silver Fox!

      Vincent

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    4. No, "now" was supposed to be "not" in MY comment. Sheesh! :)

      Delete
  22. Hello, Vince. I'm having a problem with the public library's computer. Annoying, innit?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't know, chap. I have an aversion to public computers!

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    2. I'd say call me Vince, but I see you already have!

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  23. I wasn't sure what to call you, as I've seen you sign Vince and Vincent. Glad you don't think I'm being too familiar.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah! Reading my comments here, I see! And what should I call you, if I may ask?

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    2. Others have called me things such as Foxy, Silverado, Mr. Fox, Silver... Regular readers of my blog know me as David.

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    3. So that's the others. But I asked you what I should call you! Foxy? Oh no, my fine fellow. I won't be calling you Foxy!

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    4. David will be fine. And no, please don't call me Foxy! Haha!

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    5. Well, I hate to leave this party. haha. But the big kids are coming for dinner. Keep on chatting you two! :) Bye for now!

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    6. David it is!

      Good day, Sunshine. We'll be waiting for your post later on, little doll!
      And Good day, David. Nice to make your acquaintance!

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    7. Same here. Let's see who lurks most successfully tonight!

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    8. Yes, lets! I always look forward to milady's thoughts and photographs! Cheerio!

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  24. These are amazing looking Betsy, I really can't wait to see how they turn out, very exciting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm a little excited myself! We'll all see together what happens!

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  25. oh cool Should be great My baby strawberry plants wilted but the roots I am sure are fine So hopefully they will regrow. Meanwhile the big plants have red berries.
    IN NOVEMBER!!

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