How to Force Stargazer Lilies to Open

Dip the bulbs in pre-plant liquid fungicide for roughly 20 seconds. According to the University of Massachusetts Extension program, this will properly rehydrate your bulbs and prevent them from developing root rot.

Fill each six- to eight-inch pot with growing medium, being careful not to pack it in. The bulbs need access to the oxygen found in loosely-packed growing medium.

Evenly space three to four bulbs in each pot, with the tips pointing up, and cover them with two inches of growing medium. The deeper the pots, the better your results will be since the roots will have adequate room to develop. Water thoroughly.

Place the pots under grow lights in a cool room (55 to 60 degrees is ideal) for the first one to two weeks. The cooler initial temperatures allows for good root development. Water sparingly during this time – don’t allow the soil to dry out, but don’t drench it, either.

Give the plants 16 hours of light per day. This will reduce the time it takes to force the bulbs and produce stronger, healthier plants.

Once the plant stems emerge, bring the plants to a warmer room (65 to 70 degrees) with natural light, and give them fertilizer. Continue to provide them with 16 hours of artificial light.

Look for flower buds in about 30 days and blooms roughly 45 days after that.