The practice is commonly used to flower daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, crocus and other spring bulbs during the winter. With proper planning and care, bulbs can supply color for the home from late November until early April when they begin to flower normally outdoors. Forcing bulbs in soil Steps for forcing include selecting most suitable varieties, potting bulbs properly in well-drained soil, providing proper cold temperature treatment, bringing bulbs into a cool room and moving the plants to a display location when well developed. Preparation stage Any spring flowering bulb can be forced, but to be successful, select types and varieties known to be good forcers. Hyacinths and daffodils are generally the easiest.
Tulips are slightly more difficult, but with proper treatments they can be forced successfully.
Many small bulbs such as crocus, grape hyacinth and snowdrops also may be forced. The general procedure for forcing all these bulbs is similar. Purchase only top quality, flowering-size bulbs for indoor forcing. Good bulbs contain ingredients necessary for successfully producing roots, leaves and flowers. These are usually the most easily forced spring bulbs.