Tulips – Day 15
On February 26 I began an experiment to force some tulip bulbs that had been chilling in my refrigerator drawer for 6-7 weeks. I checked and measured the bulbs’ progress this morning.
Tulip Bulbs Developed Healthy Roots
There are 6 Endless Spring Orange Blend and 3 Persian Pearl. All are actively growing and have developed good roots. One in particular is teacher’s pet, having reached up 7.5 inches.
Forced Tulips – Day 15
I still intend to follow up on the advice I received to add more rocks and provide a framework to support the bulbs; time just slipped away. The container has been in a cool, fairly dark room for 15 days. I think it might be time to bring it out into the light.
My concerns about the Daphne odora (Winter daphne) were mostly unfounded. Although the shrubs certainly were damaged and browned by the severe cold weather in February, the flowers survived. This week every time I open my front door the sweet lemony fragrance makes me smile and breathe deeply.
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter daphne)
Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’ (Winter daphne)
pbmGarden 
Another interesting post! You are a gardeners gardener!
Stepheny, I know you’ve probably heard Thomas Jefferson wrote to Charles Willson Peale from Poplar Forest [1811]: “but tho’ an old man, I am but a young gardener.” I will never be an old man but this rings true with me. No matter how much I garden I feel such a novice.
The Daphne looks stunning, smothered in blooms. I can just imagine the scent!
I’m so thrilled the Daphne made it. My neighbor mentioned she was noticing something that smelled wonderful and as we were talking she caught a whiff of the daphne and realized that’s what she’d been smelling.
The Daphne is absolutely stunning and doesn’t appear to have been affected at all by the cold. It must be the most wonderful scent!
The Daphne fragrance is quite distinctive and pleasant, citrus-like, but sweet also. The leaves and many of the flowers are brown but it sure did bloom well this year.
I’m glad the Daphne didn’t suffer permanent damage. I love the fragrance but it isn’t grown around here as it is just too fragile. I shall just have to use my imagination! 🙂
Thanks Cathy, I was really surprised the Daphne pulled through. One day we’ll be able to share scratch ‘n sniffs through WordPress.
😉 That would be wonderful, wouldn’t it! I could share the peony and elderflower perfume with you all in June!
The number of flowers on your Daphne is amazing ,the perfume must be absolutely heavenly!
Oh yes indeed Pauline, the lovely fragrant Daphne fills the air. So nice.
I’m glad your Daphne has come through the very cold weather and you have so many wonderful blossoms Susie, I can imagine the perfume.
Thank you Julie. The daphne was more resilient than I had imagined. Though tattered a bit, the flowers smell so nice.
When I first saw the picture of the Daphne I thought it was something you looking forward to seeing bloom later in the season. It’s amazing how far ahead you are. I really need to move south 🙂
Stephi, I was curious about when the Daphne bloomed in prior years, seems just about on time, but daffodils are late this year–just starting to fill out. You’ll probably not find me thinking about moving up north after seeing pictures of the winter you’ve been through.
That daphne looks lovely – gplad it pulled through – ive just got my camellia and hellebore flowering in a rather soggy manchester (uk)
Thank you Bec. Soggy here too–one of the wettest winters I remember. Enjoy your camellia and hellebores. Both add so much to a garden.
It seems to be a good year for Daphnes and their scent seems richer than ever.
Yes, the scent does seem richer this year. Interesting we’d notice it so many miles apart.
Well good news all around as the daphne is flowering and the tulips are growing.
Hey Donna, ’bout time for good news, right?
Glad both the bulbs and Daphne are doing well. Keep the updates coming.
Will do. I left the tulips out in the light and every time I came in the kitchen today several of them seemed to have inched upward more.
It will be fun to see what happens with your bulbs grown in this way. I grew mine in normal compost (my own). I wish I could grow the Daphne, I’m so glad yours survived the freeze and is flowering for you.
Bravo on your project. I can hardly wait to see them flower. How do you change the water without damaging the roots?
I’m glad that the Daphne doesn’t suffer much winter damage and is flowering now. Keep the front door open.
The Daphne doesn’t look so great but the scent is perfect anyway. I’m worried the tulips are just all leaves. We’ll see. After the first week I changed the water once just by tipping the container carefully, but lately have just been topping off. Too lazy, but also the roots seems to have adhered to the rocks and I worried about damaging them.