From our perspective, the process you call "forcing" begins with understanding our natural cycle. We, snowdrop bulbs (Galanthus), are programmed for a period of cold dormancy. This is not a suggestion; it is a biological imperative. Inside our brown, papery tunics, we hold a complete, miniature flower embryo, protected and nourished by the stored energy in our scales. However, this embryo will not develop without first experiencing a sustained period of cold, which mimics winter. This cold period breaks down internal inhibitors that prevent growth, essentially convincing us that winter has passed and it is now safe to emerge. Without this "winter," we simply will not wake up.
When you place us in a pot with a moist, well-draining potting mix and then into your refrigerator's vegetable crisper (or another cold, dark space around 35-48°F or 2-9°C), you are not storing us. You are providing the essential environmental cue we require. This 12 to 16-week period of cold, dark confinement is your way of planting us in a pot of frozen earth. During this chilling time, our root systems begin to develop and stretch out, seeking anchorage and future moisture. Most importantly, the cold signals the biochemical changes within us that initiate the elongation of the flower stalk and the development of the bloom inside.
After our required chilling period, the sudden change in environment is a powerful trigger. When you move our pot to a cool, bright windowsill with indirect light, we interpret this as the arrival of early spring. The combination of slightly warmer temperatures and sunlight is our signal to accelerate growth rapidly. You will first see our green leaf tips pushing through the soil, followed quickly by the familiar white blossoms. It is crucial that this location remains cool; excessive heat from a radiator or direct, hot sun will cause our stems to grow weak and floppy, and our delicate flowers will fade far too quickly. We are early spring beings, adapted to the cool soil and air of late winter.
Our forced blooming is an immense expenditure of the energy we carefully stored all summer. The spectacular show we put on for you indoors depletes nearly all our reserves. Once our flowers have faded, the most compassionate thing you can do is to allow our leaves to remain. They will continue to photosynthesize for a short while, gathering what energy they can from the light. When the risk of a hard frost has passed outdoors, please plant us, pot and all, in a garden bed. Our foliage will naturally yellow and die back as we return to our normal cycle. It may take us a year or two of rebuilding our energy stores before we bloom again, but with your care, we can return to our natural rhythm and grace your garden in future seasons.
