Forced bulbs bring spring early

Every flower bulb holds a secret deep in its heart: a furled bud (or a few) poised to pop out in the warmth of spring. But why wait until then? Choose the right bulbs now, treat them well, and they will flower early, indoors, around the time you've had your fill of winter.

Come February, a bowl of fat crocus is a tonic to the bloom-starved eye. A pot of dwarf narcissus beams like the vanished sun. And there are other brilliant possibilities: If you look beyond the usual suspects — paper-whites and amaryllis — you'll find star-shaped Chionodoxa, dainty Iris reticulata and tiny blue Muscari, with blooms like upside-down bunched grapes. Some of these smaller, less familiar types — the "minor" bulbs — are a cinch to force, or coax into flower, before their time.

The secret is to give bulbs what they need and to do it early. Once you've potted them, chill them to simulate a usual winter. About four months before you want blooms, tuck the pots into a dark spot that's 41 degrees F to 48 degrees F, such as a cold frame, a refrigerator or a garage. The bulbs should stay cool but not freeze. (You should also keep the soil moist.)

Different bulbs have different chilling schedules (see the instructions that follow), but most require 12 to 15 weeks of dormancy to develop roots.

The actual forcing process, during which time you convince plants that spring has arrived, takes another two to four weeks: Once the roots show through the drainage holes or shoots sprout up a couple of inches, move the containers to a warmer spot (about 60 degrees Fahrenheit) with indirect light. After a week or two, when shoots have doubled in size, set the pots near a sunny window and watch them bloom.

Easing up on the sun and moving the plants to cooler quarters at night may help the flowers last.

Below is a forcing schedule for six spring bulbs. See the "How to Do It" section that follows for instructions on potting, storing and warming the bulbs — and arranging the flowers once they're ready to display.

Forcing schedule

BULB WEEKS NEEDED TO CHILL; WEEKS NEEDED TO BLOOM

Chionodoxa 15; 2 to 3

Crocus vernus 15; 2

Hyacinthus 11 to 14; 2 to 3

Iris reticulata 15; 2 to 3

Muscari 13 to 15; 2 to 3

Narcissus 15 to 17; 2 to 3

How to do it

1. POTTING BULBS