Flowers add a touch of elegance and charm to our interior space. Its varied colors and fragrant aromas brighten homes. Unfortunately, flowering plants do not bloom all year round. Its flowers bloom during a specific period, most frequently during spring. This is the case of tulips. These easy-to-grow flowers are characterized by their spring flowering. But if you’re particularly in love with these flowers, we have a simple technique so you can have them all year round!

How to have tulips all year round? Force and germinate the bulbs in a vase of water.

To make your tulips bloom all year round, even outside of the flowering season, you can soak the bulbs in water. If this is the first time you’ve heard about forcing light bulbs, we’ll explain what it entails…

This technique is not new. Its purpose is to make the bulbs bloom without waiting for the flowering season, that is, spring. To do this, we will trick the bulbs into believing that spring has arrived. Bulbs that lend themselves to forcing are the bulbs of spring-flowering plants such as tulips, hyacinths or even daffodils.

To force tulip bulbs and encourage their germination, follow these steps.

1. Choose healthy, large, firm bulbs. The larger the bulb, the more generous the flowering will be. Choose short tulip varieties that withstand forcing best;
2. Chill the bulbs to trick them into thinking they have overwintered. Therefore, they should be placed in a cold environment during their dormant period. You can store them in the refrigerator, in the vegetable drawer. Keep your bulbs away from the fruit. The gas emitted by the fruits will prevent your plant from flowering. Store the bulbs in a cool temperature for 4 months. Please note that if you are purchasing light bulbs, you will not need to do this step. Those sold commercially have already been cooled.
3. After the bulbs have cooled, store them in a cool, dry place, away from light, until you are ready to start forcing them. To prevent the bulbs from drying out, do not expose them to drafts;
4. Then choose a suitable vase for the bulbs. The shape of the vase is important. This should allow the bulb to barely touch the surface of the water, so that the roots can develop in the water, but without the bulb touching the water, at the risk of rotting. To do this, there are vases that are made to grow the bulbs in water. They are called bulb jugs. Its shape is perfect for forcing light bulbs. Its narrow neck allows the bulb to stay above the water, and the wide base allows the roots to bathe in the water;
5.  This type of curved vase prevents the bulbs from rotting. An alternative method is to fill a vase with decorative stones and then add water. The bulb should be placed on the stones, without touching the water. It is the pointed part of the bulb that should be directed upwards. It is possible to force several bulbs into the same vase, but be sure to keep space between them to avoid contamination if an infection touches a bulb. Additionally, the bulbs may swell during forcing. Therefore, they need space;
6. Keep your vase in a cool, dark place. This encourages the development of the roots and encourages the germination of the bulbs. During this period, change the water every week;
7. After a month, when the bulbs begin to sprout, move your vase to a warm, bright location. Avoid direct sunlight. Occasionally rotate the vase to provide the bulbs with even light;
8. Make sure your vase always has water to keep the roots hydrated, but don’t let the bulb become soaked in water. Remember to keep changing the water and maintain the same humidity level. The vase should contain water just below the bulbs.

Please note that tulip bulbs cannot be forced multiple times. You can compost used bulbs, but if they show signs of disease, throw them in the trash or burn them.

What other flowers grow in water?

This technique of germinating the bulbs of flowering plants, outside their flowering period, is not exclusive to tulips. You can use it to grow hyacinths or amaryllis,  and add an aesthetic floral touch to your interior,  all year round.

Grow hyacinth in water.

Hyacinth is a bulbous perennial flowering plant.  Its fragrant, brightly colored flowers  are grouped in clusters. As with tulips, you can grow water hyacinths any time of year using only bulbs. This is how you can do it.

1. Prepare the bulbs first. To do this, let them cool in the refrigerator for 8 to 10 weeks;
2. Then choose a vase with glass bulbs. As in the case of tulips, make sure that only the roots are in contact with the water. Bulb vases help keep hyacinth bulbs above water, while keeping roots hydrated;
3. Keep the vase in a cool, dark place. Remember to change the water twice a week. Fresh water will allow you to obtain spectacular flowering;
4. After about 6 weeks, the bulbs begin to sprout and the roots will develop. When the hyacinth foliage reaches 5 cm in height and its roots extend to the bottom of the vase, you can now move your plant to a bright and warm place, in order to encourage its flowering. Rotate the vase daily to allow for uniform plant growth.

Grow amaryllis in water.

Amaryllis is a pretty  perennial flowering plant with a vanilla scent.  To take advantage of its beautiful flowers, even outside its flowering period, you can proceed to force the bulbs. You won’t need potting soil. A vase and water are enough! To do this, follow these steps.

1. Take a clear glass vase;
2. Fill it with a layer of stones or pebbles. The layer should be about 3 inches;
3. Place the bulb of the plant on the stones, roots facing down;
4. Add the rest of the stones around the bulb to hold it in place. The top third of the bulb should be exposed;
5. Add water below the bulb, without moistening, so that it does not rot;
6. Keep your pot on a sunny windowsill. Check the water level from time to time. It must remain constant;
7. After your plant has flowered, you can transplant it into a pot with good potting soil. Amaryllis cannot last more than one bloom in water.

Thanks to this guide, growing tulips, hyacinths or even amaryllis in water will become child’s play for you! Colorful flowers will decorate your home all year round, without the need for a pot or soil. You don’t risk dirtying your interior space!