How to Force Lilies to Bloom

Chill lily bulbs in the refrigerator in a paper bag for eight to 12 weeks. Do not chill them with apples since apples let off ethylene gas, which impairs the bulbs' ability to bloom.

Select a plastic, stone or clay pot with one or more drainage holes. A container that is about 12 inches wide works well if you are planting several bulbs in one container. If you want to plant one bulb per pot, use 6-inch pots.

Fill the container about three-quarters of the way with a potting mix labeled as "soilless." You can make your own using equal parts sphagnum moss and either perlite or vermiculite.

Arrange the lily bulbs on top of the soil so they are close but not touching. Then, add more of the potting mix around and between the bulbs, so they are slightly covered.

Water the bulbs so the potting mix is slightly moist and place the pot near a sunny window. Ideally, temperatures should be about 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Since your home is most likely warmer than this, expect the lilies to bloom for a shorter time than they would if they were planted outdoors.

Water the lilies regularly so the soil is slightly moist. When the bulbs start to grow, feed each plant with one tablespoon of an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer. Then, when the lilies are 6 inches tall, feed them every four weeks with an all-purpose plant food. Use the dosage recommended on the label. Expect the lilies to bloom eight to 10 weeks after planting them.