The Coordinator's Corner

BY JED SMART
Guest Columnist

Where, oh Where, are my Winter Bulbs?

  Hello, Everyone.  I hope you’re well.  We are having quite the winter this year!  It’s easy to get lost in the dull days and forget the brightness and beauty of nature.  Winter bulbs serve as remedy to the winter blues until spring. However, what if the bulbs simply refuse to bloom? For those who planted winter bulbs and have yet to see results, Mary Leigh Oliver and Lucy Edwards, an Alabama Extension home grounds, gardens and home pests regional agent, have solutions and tips for next season in order to have bright, blooming winter bulbs.

Winter Bulbs
According to Edwards, winter bulbs are bulb varieties that are brought indoors to force an early bloom. Of these manipulated bulbs, the most common include tulips, narcissus, hyacinth, crocus and amaryllis. Fooling mother nature by placing these bulbs inside can require some training and adjustment.
As a part of their maintenance, most winter bulbs require a cool period prior to their development of shoots and flowers.
“This chill time takes 10 to 14 weeks depending on the species,” Edwards said. “Make sure to read the packaging well because some bulbs are sold pre-chilled.”