Can I start Fall bulbs indoors?

Question

We forgot to plant about 35 really nice bulbs meant for the ground before the first frost. We live in SE Iowa. Can I start them indoors in styrofoam cups then after X # of weeks throw them in the ground outside? I don't want these just indoors, because of the cats. u want them outside planted and blooming in Spring. Can they be started now indoors?

Answer 1

Yes! Put them in the refrigerator for a little while to simulate the winter frosts, then plant them as soon as you possibly can.

This is fairly standard practice for spring bulbs here in Australia where winters do not always get cold enough.

"The best time for planting Spring flowering bulbs is April to May in most areas, or slightly later in warmer regions, as the soil needs to cool down after the heat of summer. In the warmer regions of Australia, Tulips will need 6-8 weeks of refrigeration prior to planting to give them the boost of an artificial winter, as our temperatures are too mild for these cold climate bulbs. This will ensure good strong growth in your garden, and good flowering. Just make sure you don’t freeze your Tulip bulbs - this will definitely HARM them!" From a Victorian Bulb grower/supplier :http://www.tesselaar.net.au/flowerandgarden/2002_march.asp



Obviously these are southern hemisphere planting times.

Answer 2

It's not a good idea. Bulbs such as tulips are meant to be planted in the fall so they can benefit from autumn rain and the melting winter snow in early spring.

If the ground is still workable (not frozen yet) you should be OK to put them in.

Indoors is far too warm for them.

Answer 3

No not now you can't. Spring bulbs need a period of very cold weather before they bloom. Keep them in a cool but not freezing place. In the spring you can force them in pots and then plant them out. It's too much to explain here, but if you read up on forcing bulbs--in a book or on line-- you will find out how

Answer 4

Caladiums ( additionally spoke of as Elephant Ears) are no longer chilly climate hardy. they don't seem to be the style which you plant interior the autumn.they might desire to be shielded from the hrash wintry climate months. you're able to have the capacity to in common terms plant them in a extra robust flower pot and go away them in there for the summer time. they look good in packing containers and a outstanding variety of peple plant them in there via fact they look good in packing containers. they might take weeks to initiate coming up. Bulbs of any variety could make the main of utilising a fertilizer made in common terms for bulbs, like bone meal or blood meal.placed a number of this interior the hollow and combine it with the soil interior the hollow which you dug for the bulb, then plant the bulb and cover it with soil and water deeply as quickly as a week.

Answer 5

No