Forcing amaryllis and muscari bulbs: An At Home journal (Week 3)

Stems grow vigorously from grape hyacinth bulbs on marbles in water. Will they bloom after growing more than two weeks? Dec. 24 (AM):

Growth on the muscari bulbs has nearly doubled. Check in vain for signs of buds forming, remembering  that indoor plants will sometimes grow tall when they don't have enough light. Note that the stems look very green and robust. Hope for the best.

Change water on amaryllis bulbs, which seem to have movement in the cut area at each bulb's top.

Dec. 27 (PM):

Visit my plant-sitting friend and discover that muscari bulbs (set in front of a sunny sliding glass door on Dec. 5) have finally grown stems with about a week's worth of height (compared to my much taller bulbs started at home earlier that same day). Add a little water.

Pour out water on the water-only amaryllis bulb, which is showing signs of growth on its cut end, but not much root development. The water smells a little strange, the roots look a bit slimy. Rinse off roots, carefully add water so it doesn't wet or touch the bulb. Hope for the best.