Expert: Long Island Gardener - 1/12/2008

Question
I bought all of these beautiful bulbs in Amsterdam when we were there in June.  They were all the certified kind, fine to bring into the country.  The problem is that I neglected to find out if they were pre-chilled or not.  We have just moved to North Carolina, so it doesn't freeze much here, so I thought I could try chilling them in a tote outside, or else planting them in pots and chilling them outside.  I'm late to start this process, but its recently warmed up so I thought I could fake them out and make them think this is fall! (Our daffodils are coming up expecting spring, but I we're told they're used to the strange winters here and will still make it).  

I'm also wondering if it is a clue to their pre-chilled or not condition that they are sprouting a bit in their mesh bags.  No sprout longer than 1/2 inch, but do they do this if they have not been pre-chilled?

I thought that if they are pre-chilled I could pot them indoors and grow them under a grow lamp at 72 degrees right now... does that work? (We have NO sun in this basement apartment, so the grow light is the only option.)

I bought ranunculas and freesias at the same place but they all rotted when I tried to grow them in pots, so I'm going to be much more cautious to follow directions with these expensive bulbs!

Thank you so much for your help!

Answer
Pity, those Ranunculas and Freesias.  They are stunning flowers and some of my favorites.

Your Tulips probably would have sprouted by now if they had been pre-cooled.  Get them in pots asap and chill -- depending on your weather, either outside or in the refrigerator (where you have to be VERY careful to see they don't rot).

Make sure the potting medium has a very high ratio of Sand (for drainage and to encourage Oxygen and circulation).  Note that if you put plastic around the pot to keep Soil from spilling or splashing, you'll be cutting off the air the Bulbs need AND growing a crop of anaerobic Bacteria, the kind that cause Bulb rot.  Live with the splashing soil instead.

Yes, it sounds crazy.  But we Gardeners are a crazy bunch.  Nothing else matters.

Hope this helps.  Any followups, let me know.