How to Force a Dwarf Iris

Make a potting soil mixture of equal parts potting soil, peat moss, vermiculite or perlite. Soil simply labeled “potting soil” tends to absorb too much moisture, which can cause your bulbs to rot.

Fill your container three-quarters full with the potting soil mixture. Water it lightly so the soil is spongy-damp.

Arrange the bulbs in the container, positioning them close together so they are touching and so the pointy side of each bulb faces up. Do not space the bulbs a few inches apart, as if you were planting them for normal growth. Remember that you are forcing them.

Fill in the areas around the bulbs, and cover them with a light layer of the potting soil mixture.

Place the container in a cool, dark place where it can be undisturbed during the “cold period,” which for a dwarf iris can last about 16 weeks. The climate should be dark and cool -- or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping the container in a refrigerator may dry the bulbs out, so a cool basement or other hideaway is best. During this time, keep the soil moist but not wet.

Bring the container out of the “cold phase” when you see bulb shoots that are about 2 or 3 inches tall. At this point, keep the bulbs indoors in a cool place – where temperatures don’t exceed the 50s -- that receives indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist.

Baby your bulbs by fertilizing them weekly and turning the pot every day or so, as they will begin to arch in the direction of the sunlight. When the buds and foliage are strong enough, the bulbs should be able to withstand warmer temperatures and more sunlight.

Keep the bulbs in the container – forced bulbs tend to do better indoors – or gently replant them outdoors in your garden.