Step 2a.

Planting in a Cooler

Easter & Mother's Day Cooler Instructions

Cooler or Cellar Production Specific Instructions

  • Make sure the humidity inside the cooler is high (95%)
  • Wet the floor with water if necessary
  • If pots are drying out on top because of condensing unit fans, give them water
  • Check for roots. Varieties such as Tulip Coleur Cardinal are the last to root. If the roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot, everything is rooted
  • Maintain high humidity, this avoids roots from drying out and therefore lessens the risk of forming Botrytis Cinerea (grey mold)

 

Specific Cooler Temperature Chart (degrees are in Fahrenheit)

Variety

Pot Moisture Content

Temperature before planting

Temperature from Nov 6th onward

Temperature when sprouts develop too long

Tulips

Moist-Wet

65

40

32-33

Hyacinths*

Moist-Wet

65

40

32-33

Daffodils

Moist-Wet

65

40

32-33

Tete a Tete

Moist-Dry

65

40

32-33

Crocus

Moist-Wet

65

40

32-33

Iris

Moist-Dry

65

40

32-33

Prepared Hyacinths

Moist-Wet

65

N/A

N/A

*See forcer's guide book for more specific instructions as temperature for Hyacinths should only be dropped when the bulbs have fully vernalized (# of cold weeks.)

Planting in an outdoor rooting bed?  Follow >> Step 2b: Outdoor Rooting Instructions.

Next Step >> 3. Greenhouse Production