Indoor bulbs

Helen 57

Hi! 

I would like to plant some indoor bulbs with a class of three/four year olds, please does anyone have any suggestions/ tips? 

It doesn't really matter when they flower, i'm more interested in the growing and flowering, so preferably a high success rate! 

Do we need to keep them i the cold/ dark first? If so, how long for? 

Thanks for your help,

helen 

Dovefromabove

Lots of info here http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/profile.aspx?pid=102

I'd grow some Paperwhite narcissus in water, as they only take about 6 weeks from start to flowering and you can virtually watch them grow, and the children can see the roots as well as the flowers, and they don't have to be started off in the cold and dark like hyacinths, so the children will remain engaged with the process.

Paperwhites are also better than hyacinths for using with children as hyacinth bulbs can irritate sensitive skin and cause a nasty rash.

Some little blue muscari or scillas in a shallow bowl of compost would be lovely, and I remember growing bowls of crocuses as a child, but these really need keeping outside in the cool untll the flowerbuds have formed - then you can bring them indoors.  

And of course, a big Amaryllis bulb with it's dramatic bloom has fantastic Wow! factor.

What a lovely project - enjoy 

Dovefromabove

Info on growing Paperwhites in water here http://www.whiteflowerfarm.com/growing-paperwhite-narcissus-bulbs.html you don't need one of their kits - it's easy enough to find the stuff yourself. 

Helen 57

That's great, thanks for your help