Culture

to live again
forcing bulbs and branches reminds
us that a new life with the Lord is coming.

In the dark days of winter, when the light is low and Lent is upon us, it’s easy to allow despair to overtake us and to forget that this season of self-reflection and repentance will lead us to a new life with the risen Lord.

One way to underscore this lesson is to coax spring bulbs to bloom – a process called “forcing” – before the snow even leaves your lawn.

All you need to gather are bulbs, soil enhancements and a pot with a drainage hole.

There are many types of bulbs you can plant. Amaryllis bulbs are the easiest; they don’t require a dormant period. And narcissi do well with just two weeks in a cool, dark place. Other bulbs require a bit more time to rest; crocuses, grape hyacinths, and freesias will need four to six weeks, tulips and hyacinths eight to ten weeks, and daffodils about 12 to 14 weeks.

1. Pick a pot of any material that is at least twice as tall as the bulbs you’re using – that way you’ll be sure to have room for the roots to develop properly. Wash the pot and place a shard over the drainage hole to prevent the soil from washing out.
2. Using a porous potting mix – made of equal parts vermiculite, peat moss and packaged potting soil. Fill the pot halfway, then place the bulbs on top as close together as possible. Lightly add more soil to cover the bulbs, letting their “noses” stick out.
3. Place the potted bulbs in the vegetable crisper of your refrigerator. Don’t store fruit and vegetables in the crisper at the same time; they give off ethylene gas that can damage the bulbs.
4. Water the bulbs every two or three weeks, or whenever the soil dries out. When roots are visible through the drainage hole and stems are about two inches high, the bulbs are ready to remove from the refrigerator.
5. Place the pot in a cool, sunny room, ideally at a temperature of 55 to 65 degrees. Warmer temperatures may cause the plants to have weak stems.
6. Keep the soil moist and give the pot a quarter turn every day to keep the stems straight as the plants turn toward the light. Within days (for the shorter flowers), blossoms will open and beautifully illustrate the lasting lesson of the Resurrection.

a prayer to plant by

Dear Lord, like the bulbs we plant, we descend into the depths of darkness to await your return. In the solitude of our souls, we reflect on our sins and repent for them. We make sacrifices in your name and are strengthened by them. You breathe life into us and around us, and sustain us through this solemn season. We look for you, we long for you, our resurrected Savior, our reborn King. Amen.

Originally Published: March 2005