Can Tulips Be Forced Into Water?

Hydroponic tulip growers have developed techniques to force tulips into bloom without soil. This method allows tulips to root and bloom in water indoors, even when they are out of season. To force tulips, first prepare the bulbs by tricking them into using water-resistant bulbs like ‘water tulips’. Start your project in cooler months for a spring-like bloom in your home and monitor the water.

Gardening experts suggest that you need the appropriate climate for forcing tulip growth, as well as immediate sunlight after 16 weeks. Tulips can be grown year-round without soil in a glass container, with the bulb sitting above the water and the roots sprouting. You can choose from various spring bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, and crocus.

To force a tullip, place the bulb on top without touching the water, fill the receptacle with pebbles or glass beads, and top it up with cool water. You may also opt to purchase a forcing vase, which allows the bulb to sit just above the water with only the roots in the moisture. Fill water in the vase to just under the bottom of the bulbs, not touching the base. Tulips do not bloom as well sitting in water as some other bulbs do.

To force a tullip, pot the bulb, replicate winter conditions, and bring it into bloom earlier than its normal spring bloom time. Fill each vase with about two inches of stones, add water just to the top of the stones or marbles, and set bulbs on top with the pointed tip. Tulip forcing on water is a relatively new method of cultivating, with approximately 85 of the tulips in Holland being forced on water.