Planters

Q. A woman that I work with was given a wonderful planter for Easter last year. The saucer of a standard clay pot was used and two daffodil and three crocuses were place in the saucer. Then the dirt was covered with Spanish moss and a small ceramic bunny was placed under the flower leaves. I want to make them for my family for Easter 2005 but do not know when to start putting the planter together. Should I do it now and place them in the basement or wait to put the bulbs in dirt until spring? I am a newbie gardener and desperately need your guidance.

The best containers for forcing bulbs are squat azalea pots or bulb pans. Since a bulb contains all it needs to bloom the first year the planting mix does not necessarily have to provide any nutrients. Pot should be filled 1/2-3/4 with potting mix and moistened. Gently press the bulbs into the soil with broad base down and nose pointed up. Arrange as close together as possible without touching each other or the pot. Face any flat side toward the outside of the pot. Barely cover bulbs with additional mix and water gently until thoroughly moistened. Add a little more soil if settling has exposed the bulb. Place in a dark cool area for 12 weeks. The temperature must remain below 48F for flower initiation but above freezing. While total darkness is best if chilling bulbs in a refrigerator light coming in an open door is OK. Once roots begin growing out of the drainage holes in the pots or shoots start to grow [about twelve weeks] give bulbs a gradual warming transition. Do not expose to warmth too soon or the blooms will emerge too fast and will fail before opening. Start in the coolest spot of the home and gradually move to warmer areas. This will make the flowers last much longer. Do not expose pale or white foliage to full sun until it has greened. Rotate pots 1/4 turn every few days to keep the foliage and stems upright. Keep soil moist but never soggy. Once bulbs have finished flowering remove spent flowers and stems but continue watering and providing light for the foliage. Bulbs may be planted outside when the weather permits just as with any perennial. Keep watering and fertilizing so do not remove foliage until it has turned yellow. Unfortunately forcing depletes a bulb so it may not bloom again for several seasons. Bulbs should never be forced a second time so always start with new ones. Bulbs may be separated by gently and slowly pulling them apart.