"If you put the bulbs in a refrigerator, it is crucial that it doesn't also contain fruit because the ethylene gas that is naturally released by the fruit can kill the flower buds," says Art Wolk of Voorhees, New Jersey, bulb-forcing expert and former winner of the Philadelphia Flower Show's grand sweepstakes prize. Here's Wolk's easy plan for forcing bulbs: In the fall, plant the bulbs in containers that have holes in the bottom for drainage and that are filled with a loose and porous, premoistened potting mix. Then put the container outdoors in a hole in the ground. About 18 inches deep should work in colder soil. Cover the pot with soil, then add 1 to 2 feet of organic mulch on top of everything to keep the soil from freezing hard. Put a long stick in the ground next to the pot so you can find it in case it gets covered by snow. 3 months later, remove mulch, dig down carefully, and ditch the pot. "Use a hose to clean off the pot and shoots, then bring the pot indoors to a bright sunny room where temperatures will range between 60° and 68°F. Depending on the cultivar of tulip you choose, you'll have blooms in 3 to 6 weeks," he predicts.
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