I think it would be fine to just refrigerate without potting first. For that matter, If you have just purchased the bulbs, and they have been prechilled, as most are, I think, you could just store them in a cool dry place until potting them up for forcing.

If you do it your way. I think you would just plant them, water them, and set them in a warm place in the home, with no need for darkness.

Hopefully someone else will weigh in with some more input.

Sue

I refrigerate in the bags they came in every year with no problem. I have a garden refrigerator that does not self defrost and has little drying effect on the bulbs. Here in the warm winter west, refrigerating is a must, and I have never seen bulbs offered that claimed to have been pre-chilled. When removed from refrigerator they should be planted right away. Al

Al,

The only place that I have seen offer pre-chilled bulbs is Brent and Becky's Bulbs. They have a huge selection of bulbs, and then they offer pre-chilled bulbs. They may have a sale going on right now. I think next month they offer 1/2 off sales.

http://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/

Danielle

You folks are right...Most bulbs are likely not prechilled unless they specifically say they have been. Sorry.

Sue

Thanks for all the quick advice! I have also not seen pre-chilled bulbs. Too bad, seems there would be a market for them.

Threw the bulbs in the refrigerator last night and marked the calendar. Should have some lovely blooms around mid-February. One of the blah-est months! :-)