There is nothing one can do to speed the return of spring.
The weather has been like a yo-yo between spring and winter increasing the desire for spring to arrive. It will be at least a month before the hardiest of spring flowers, crocuses, poke their heads through the ground and flower.
In the mean time it is possible to enjoy spring blooms of warmer climates with forced bulbs or cut flowers.
Those of you who planted bulbs last fall and placed them in cold storage, it is time to check on them and take them into a warmer, lighter location.
Pots should be moved to a lighter warmer place when the bulb shows approximately 1 inch (2 cm) of a shoot.
The shoot initially be yellow but will quickly green up in light.
The warmer the bulbs environment, the quicker it blooms.
If multiple pots were placed in storage, bloom times can be staggered by temperatures.
Remember do not place bulbs in an enclosed area with ripening fruit as the ethane gas from the fruit will inhibit the bulbs ability to bloom.
For those that did not have the time energy or space to force bulbs in the fall they are readily available at local stores. When purchasing a pot of forced bulbs look for ones where the flower is still in the bud stage.
It will take the bulb a few days to bloom but the full blooming time can be enjoyed.
Bloom time can be extended if the pot is placed in a cool area such as the fridge overnight and when no one is home.
Once the bulb is finished blooming it can be placed in the compost.
Forcing bulbs use up the entire bulb’s energy supply.
If kept green and planted in the garden, it would take a number of years for the bulb to become large enough to produce flowers, if it does.
In a climate where it is hard to keep tulips for more than a few seasons re-blooming a forced bulb is not practical.
Another alternative is to purchase cut stems. For the freshest Tulips purchase blooms from Trudie and Jac Theelen’s tulip farm in the Red Deer County.
It is easy to distinguish their flowers as the buds are showing little if any color when they leave the farm insuring that the consumer enjoys a long blooming time.
These tulips are also for sale locally at a couple locations in Red Deer.
Bunches of cut daffodils will soon be for sale in stores as well as through the Cancer Society. This year the Cancer Society is selling bunches of Daffodils for $6.00 each.
It is possible to preorder your flowers on the web site:http://www.kintera.org/site/c.6pLLL0PvE7LSH/b.7799071/k.BFCA/Preorder_daffodils.htm
Once again, for the longest lasting flowers purchase flowers that are not blooming. Daffodils are poisonous and should not be placed in a vase with other flowers.
If they are with other flowers their toxins leach into the water and shorten the life of other stems.
To make the most out of cut flowers change the water daily and recut the stems just before they are placed in fresh water.
Changing the water keeps it clean and fresh. Once stems are cut they close as the plant is trying to stop the loss of liquids and nutrients.
Unfortunately this also limits the amount the stem can intake.
Be sure to add the flower preservative to the water as it helps eliminate bacteria and feeds the flowers.
Spring will be here shortly but a few flowers will help make the wait much easier.
Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist that lives near Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at www.igardencanada.com or your_garden@hotmail.com