How to Trick a Bulb to Think It's Cold

Daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other spring bulbs require a period of cold weather before they can bloom. This cold treatment period is followed by warmer temperatures, which signals to the bulb that it's time to break dormancy and begin blooming. Cold treatment occurs naturally in winter when bulbs grow outdoors, but indoor forced bulbs need to be tricked into breaking dormancy if they are to grow and bloom successfully. Purchased bulbs have typically undergone cold treatment at the nursery, but those from your garden require cold treatment before you pot them up for indoor blooming.

Pot
Potting soil
Plastic bag
Twist tie

Instructions

- 1
  Plant the bulbs in a pot filled with moist potting soil. Place bulbs about one inch apart in the pot and set them so the pointed top sits at or just beneath the soil surface.
- 2
  Place the pot inside a plastic bag. Gather the top of the bag together and tie it closed with a twist tie.
- 3
  Place the pot inside a refrigerator and leave it for 12 to 13 weeks.
- 4
  Remove the pot from the refrigerator and take it out of the plastic bag. Set it in a sunny indoor location with a temperature between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 5
  Water the soil one to two times a week so it stays moist but doesn't become soggy. Most bulbs send up shoots within two to four weeks after they are removed from cold treatment.

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