‘YOU. CAN . grow flower
..bulbs indoors this winter.
Professional growers call it
.““forcing,”” but gentle per-
‘‘suasion might be a_ better
“term.

: ~ Essentially, this process tricks
‘the ‘bulb into thinking a whole
‘winter has passed and so they
“bloom — in January, February
_and March, just when. winter is
grey and dark and flowers are the
«most welcome in homes and of-
fices across the country. :

.. For. the - best results, choose
bulbs* that’ are ‘specially prepared
for: forcing. If- the package does
ROL. say. SO, ‘check: with the retailer
where you buy flower bulbs.

Hyacinths . ,

Whether. ‘you. pot ‘them up in soil
or-perch them above the water line
in:a:special hyacinth vase, hya-
inths need. about ..i2.. weeks of
cool: ; -storage » (approx. © 9°C) to
begin’ to. sprout, :

Be sure: to: ‘add water. regularly.
while they are in “storage. a

‘When: the bulbs: have: sprouted |
and roots are showing ‘(out-of the
bottom’ of the: pot: or, trailing: in.
he’: water); bring: he “hyacinths:

emperature~ oe tne gradually: and.
the flowers, ‘develop. Auring '

varieties - with :

that. are ~more :

. four-week

flowers also force well, such as
snowdrops (Galanthus), grape hy-
acinths (Muscari), miniature iris
(Uris reticulata), glory-of-the-
snow (Chinodoxa), crocus
(Anemone - blanda) and little
squills (Scilla siberica).

They can be. done at home,
along with the other’ spring-
flowering bulbs, or bought already
potted, just as they are starting to
show color.

Arrange some of each as a
centerpiece, mixed with ivy and

“moss, to create a tiny garden ef-

fect.
‘Narcissi

The familiar yellow trumpet daf-
fodils: — such as. ‘‘February
Gold’’; and miniatures such as
“Tete-a-Tete’’, may be forced at

. home, using the same basic pro-

cedure as for tulips and hyacinths
(in soil).

However, the. fragrant paper-
white ‘narcissi co not require a

‘cold period and can be grown on

gravel, as well as planted in soil.
“If you. choose the former
“. method, keep in mind that’ this

Small-flowering amaryllis have
begun to be more available and
popular during the past few years,
they fit in better in apartments
and offices than the larger types.

Other variations include
greenish-colored blossoms and
new strains with slim petals,
double-flowering types and finely
marked flowers.

“Papilio” is a relatively recent
cultivar with green-white flowers

bearing chestnut-carmine red
flames and stripes.

It is still quite rare and may
only be available through specialty
outlets.

Potted bulbs

If you don’t have a cool storage
spot in which to force flower

‘bulbs, already- potted bulbs are

now available in garden centres,
florist shops and grocery stores in

most cities and towns across the
country. ‘

Choose those that are just
Starting to show color; they will
last longer than the bulbs already
in full flower,

Keep them away from direct
heat (radiators and hot air vents)
to keep them fresh for as long as
possible, but give them lots of
natural light to encourage full
blooming.

STORE CLOSING SALE |
YALETOWN STORE ONLY

Ali items in the store are reduced by 50 percent. On.
_ SELECTED ITEMS we will even pay the GST! Hurry in’ while:
_the selection is at its best. Delivery extra.

bulb flower has a long-stem. and

may tip over easilv.

Anchor it: fi rmly in washed

gravel ‘and add water to just below |
he-.bulb:..Do. not. let. the Paper-
-whites sit in the water. ‘
~. Leave them out’ at regular room :
: émperature and ‘they will bloom

in fouz to Six weeks.
Amaryliis”
utch - ainaryllis

“Its huge, trumpet-shaped flowers

‘bloom atop tall, sturdy stalks in'a © |
; fainbow or shades —, pinks, reds,
“white,

‘multi-tones, s

cream, -. orange. -—
such as white edged:
with red, and many more. :

- Oni sale through: April, amaryllis ~ 4
can create‘a stunning display if. :j
“you plant:a new bulb'at three- or
intervals - throughout f

the autumn ard winter.

You: will always : have” at. ‘iéas ‘

one in bloom.

wild ianiinals do not depend’on . 8
3 them’ with the food, water, and shelter they”

nd pend the: entire! ‘winter. in a deep sleep. Their heart rates
lecrease,- their body, temperatures drop, and their breathing .
lows ‘déwn to almest nothing, Because they are so inactive,

hey:do:not require. much food.”

7

ren. there are. pseudo- -hibernators like skunks and bears.
hese ar imais enter a semti-conscious state and wake up from
ime, to time.te eat or exercise. They prepare for winter by. either
toring food in their nesting areas aheau of time or gorging
miselves to build up extra fat, which provides them with

‘ ‘such’ as be: “wets ; and red squiitels, are. non-
i “They. remaip active throughout the season and sur-
ive ‘on food that, they | jsave stored in their homes. When the. .

C Te to take cover: Daring a vaciculary harsh winter, many y of
n become: weak from t hunger and exhaustion. Until spring

Canadian Wildlife federation
‘Cornmunications Department.
2740 Quesnsview Di Drive Seo

“ properly called i
*“Hippeastrum, is "well known now. -

and:

nd” a. As 2
ta wa .. ~~ pa

Real Loalher al

the et és nO. eco fiee ‘

| 1080 ‘Mainiand ‘Street

vat Helmcken "

Downtown Vancouver

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