A show of force: forcing bulbs into bloom is an easy way to provide color for the holiday season.

Let's face it. There are moments in winter when the cold air, lack of sunlight, and absence of color can give us the blues. Humans crave color during this bleak season, and one of the best ways to bring those vibrant greens and reds back into your life is through flowers.

Now you may think that it's difficult to bring some of the most vibrant flowers into bloom during the harsh cold of winter. Not true! A process called bulb forcing is an easy, fun way to bring bulbs into bloom right when you want them. The process basically cheats Mother Nature, but don't worry, it's not illegal and it's not cruel to the bulbs. In fact, many people prefer to call the process influencing, stimulating, or inducing bulbs to avoid offending the botanically elite. Just follow these easy tips and you're sure to be enjoying a variety of colors by Christmas.

There are four basic steps to forcing a bulb: choosing, planting, cooling, and exposing to sunlight. The first step is choosing the bulb you want. Dozens of bulbs are eligible for forcing, but some are easier and quicker than others. Another factor to consider is when you want the bulb to bloom. Since the holiday season is fast approaching, we'll focus on two bulbs, the paperwhite narcissus and the amaryllis, to force into bloom just in time for Christmas.

After you purchase the bulbs, keep them in a cool place until you are ready to begin. When forcing paperwhites and amaryllis, you must begin the process in mid-November. Mary Nichols, a Hinds County Master Gardener, suggests involving children in this process. "My grandchildren loved the quick result of the process. They were able to plant the bulbs at Thanksgiving and then see them in full bloom at Christmas!" says Mary. "It was thrilling to see them get so excited about flowers."

Once you're ready to begin, choose a container that is larger and deeper than the bulb or bulbs you wish to plant. Any container will do, but using a clear or translucent container will prove helpful later when you want to see if the root mass is developing. Remove the bulbs from storage, and decide how you want to group them. Remember to always plant in odd numbers! Usually three or five narcissus bulbs fit together nicely, but since amaryllis bulbs are much larger, it's best to plant no more than three in one container.

Fill half of the container with pebbles, gravel, or bits of broken pottery, then place the bulbs on top. Always place bulbs with their tips (pointed sides) facing up. Next, pour water into the container until it becomes level with the bottom of the bulbs. Careful--too much water and the bulbs will rot.

Creating a short winter is next. Luckily, both paperwhites and amaryllis have the shortest processes of cooling (other bulbs require an extended cold period of 8 to 12 weeks). The hardest part about this step is finding a cool, dark place to keep the newly planted bulbs. According to Sonja Skelly, former consumer horticulture specialist for Mississippi State University's Extension Service, the best place to store bulbs is in an old refrigerator. Skelly notes that "in many parts of Mississippi, the temperature range is not this low for a given time period," and, therefore, the refrigerator provides the required temperature, which is 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Other places commonly used are basements and unheated garages. Just make sure that the area you choose receives no sunlight.

Leave the bulbs in their cool spot for about two to four weeks, checking frequently for the development of the root mass. During this time, you must water frequently, but not above the base of the bulb. Once you see sprouts about two or three inches long (usually between three and four weeks), you should remove the bulb from the darkness and move to the next step.

Note: When forcing other bulbs besides paperwhites and amaryllis, you must include a prolonged cooling period before exposing the bulb to any sunlight. Also, be sure to check if your purchased bulbs have a "precooled" sticker on them. If so, follow the directions that the grower has written.

Since the bulbs have now developed sturdy roots and small sprouts, it's time to gradually introduce them to sunlight. Place the container in an area of your home that receives a small amount of sunlight during the day. The bulbs will remain in this area for three to four days. To ensure the bulbs bloom to their best potential, rotate the pot everyday. This way each side of the flower will receive equal amounts of sunlight and should bloom symmetrically. When dealing with the stems of paperwhites, it's more challenging to keep them standing upright. "Paperwhites tend to get really floppy and fall over. I found that using natural sticks from my yard works well to support them," notes Mary Nichols. Tying the stems together with raffia or ribbon also works. After three or four days, the bulbs may be moved into full sunlight and should burst into bloom.

At this point, hopefully, all the steps have worked and you're enjoying beautiful paperwhites or amaryllis around your home. Beware that paperwhites tend to have an overwhelmingly sweet smell. While the smell is delightful to some people, there are others who can barely stand to be in the same room as the flowers. Nichols offers a good tip regarding the smell. "Before my holiday guests arrive, I move the flowers to a bathroom or sunroom where the smell won't be overwhelming. I never leave them in the guest's bedroom. They are beautiful flowers, but their smell is cloyingly sweet!"

The holidays will be even brighter this year with the abundance of flowers in your home, and since both paperwhites and amaryllis blooms stay perky and beautiful for at least two months, you'll be seeing color well into the new year!

Five easy steps to bulb forcing

bulb basics

1. Choose a bulb.

Paperwhite narcissus and amaryllis are two bulbs that are easy to force and look beautiful around the house during the holiday season.

2. Arrange and plant the bulb.

It's best to group flowers together for a more captivating effect, but remember to always group in odd numbers. Find a clear container that is larger and deeper than the bulbs, and fill it with pebbles or gravel. Place the bulbs on top of the rocks (pointed side up), then fill the container with water to the bottom of the bulbs.

3. Cool the bulb.

Find an old refrigerator or unheated garage to house the bulbs for two to four weeks. Check often to see if a root mass is developing. When you begin to see sprouts (between three and four weeks), remove from the cold spot.

4. Expose the bulb to sunlight.

Gradually move the bulbs into stronger sunlight and higher temperatures, but be careful not to overheat them.

5. Enjoy!

You've worked hard, so now just sit back and enjoy the rainbow of color around your home!