Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 2/8/2004

Question
I tried to force bulbs this year.  I live in Central Nebraska -- ?Zone 7?.   I planted bulbs in clay pots and put them in an unfinished, unheated dark area in my basement.  The finished area with heat stays around 60 degrees.   I keep the door closed to the unfinished, unheated part of the basement.   The bulbs I have planted to force are growing, even in the dark.  Is this normal?   Or are they too warm.   Based on when I planted the bulbs I should be able to begin growing on 2-18-04.  Do you think the bulbs will go ahead and flower?

Thanks for your input.

Answer
Most spring flowering bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, etc) require vernalization (cooling) below 45 deg F to flower. The basement is probably too warm.

I recommend placing the bulbs in an unheated attached garage, in an unheated/uninsulated attic, or outdoors in a tool storage, etc.

Normally temperatures have to be just around freezing or just above for growth go be limited. If you have the bulbs stored at 60 deg F it is not enough to stop them from growing, and probably not enough to properly vernalize either.