Growers achieve this by strictly controlling temperature, light cycles, and humidity in a greenhouse or dark room to simulate seasonal changes. It overrides the natural dormancy cycle, allowing producers to hit highly profitable holiday market windows with crops like tulips, poinsettias, or rhubarb. The process requires precise timing and often exhausts the plant, meaning the stock is frequently composted after harvest.
Heard on the job
We're moving the hyacinth bulbs into the heated glasshouse to start forcing them for the Valentine's Day rush.
Insider tip
Bulbs used for forcing expend so much stored energy that they rarely perform well if planted out in the garden the following year.