tulips in the basement

I’m conducting an experiment on raising chickens in the basement topic: “chickens in the basement” and I noticed that after insulating the ceiling of the basement, the room maintains a stable temperature of +8 C, and also maintains a certain level of humidity due to the fact that the floor consists of clay and capillary moisture  constantly evaporates.  During active hostilities, when the ground floor was used as a bomb shelter, I planted onion bulbs opposite the window directly into the clay on the floor and was surprised at the result.  The windows were closed from possible fragments and the light was turned on very rarely since this room was non-residential.  But at the same time, the onion grew well and was richly green in color and had a wonderful root system.  Today I measured the soil temperature and it is +8 C. What is the idea when producing tulips there are several significant costs: a greenhouse, maintaining a low temperature of +8 for the dormant state of the bulbs and then maintaining light and temperature + 17 for intensive growth, humidity, packaging  for growing and bulbs.  I have a room in which the temperature is stable at +8 C, a clay floor with capillary humidification can replace containers and an expensive hydroponic system.  A window and 2 vents will help get rid of excess moisture and ventilation, one vent can be used to vent the chimney and raise the temperature using a stove about which I also have a post.  With this stove I can easily maintain the temperature in case of electrical problems.  The room already has a household freezer with the ability to switch from freezing to cooling, which can be used to store cut tulips.  Or fence off part of the room and install air conditioning there.  Lighting can be made from ice lamps, similar to New Year's garlands.  If there is no need, it can be easily and simply dismantled.  Thus, in order to launch this project by the end of the year, the most important cost part will be tulip bulbs.  There is a rush of demand on February 14 and March 8, after which the used bulbs can be prepared for storage and planted in the yard next year, and instead of tulips, onions can be planted for greens.  I understand that the idea looks absurd, but unfortunately I need to use all resources to survive and so far my experiment with chickens in the basement is going well and there is time to launch a second project.  The most costly, problematic and risky thing will be the search and purchase of high-quality tulip bulbs.

in order to understand the required number of bulbs, I bought them from people who professionally grow tulips; after cutting, the bulbs are usually bought to dry and plant next spring.  some bulbs with green sprouts.  I’ll collect soil from the basement and try to germinate a few bulbs in a warm place) After calculations, I’ll dry the rest and plant them in the ground next spring.  I also planted onion bulbs near the window as a test, I’ll see how they grow this time, taking into account the drop in temperature due to the insulation of the ceiling.

Thank you for sharing your experiments with us.  How are the basement chickens doing?

Your tulips in the basement sounds like a lovely project.  I am looking forward to seeing these tulips in bloom.

How long will it take them to bloom?

Riona, this is a link to Bogdan's thread on Chickens in the basement.

Thanks Bogdan for all these details!

Anne Miller wrote:Your tulips in the basement sounds like a lovely project.  I am looking forward to seeing these tulips in bloom.

How long will it take them to bloom?

The tulips, which in the photo will bloom only next spring, when they are planted in the ground, are bulbs after pruning, and were purchased to understand how much is needed for planting.  I sent a request to a bulb manufacturer in Holland, received growing technology and a catalog of varieties, and so far everything is in line with my plans.  I’ll think about what varieties to choose and how to bring the bulbs.  The event is certainly risky, but I can handle it

Thank you, this sounds exciting.

Riona Abhainn wrote:Thank you for sharing your experiments with us.  How are the basement chickens doing?

Thank you, the chickens live well, I turned off the heating and they feel good on the litter with bacteria, their appetite is good.  I’ll soon make a chicken coop and they’ll have more fun outside in the sun)

Any updates?