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bulb glasses/vases?

13 years ago

Does anyone have a source for the hourglass-shaped bulb glasses used for forcing single bulbs? I've seen them as part of hyacinth kits but I'm hoping to find several of the glasses alone.

Thanks!!

-Maeve

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Comments (10)

denninmi
13 years ago
Try dollar stores and discount stores first. Look in the kitchen section. The same basic shape is often sold as a salad cruet. I've seen ones that would work quite well for hyacinths or paperwhites, generally around about 16 ounce capacity and probably something like 8 inches tall, with hourglass shape you need to force bulbs.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
I was thinking they were quite expensive, but found these at the link below for just $4 each, or $3 if you buy 12 of them...plus shipping of course.

denninmi is right...various things can be used instead.

See also...frugal hyacinth forcing vases

I have one 'actual' hyacinth forcing vase found at a yard sale, but in looking at some of my other vases (I collect those too), I think other 'squeeze' vases would also work.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: Scroll down to see pastel and different clear ones.
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Hyacinths and paperwhites don't know the difference between proper vases and anything that holds water in which you can prop a bulb. Bowls of pebbles will support paperwhites. I've forced hyacinths in dollar store vases of all kinds. If the mouths were wide, I put stones in them. If the bulb would sit in the top of the vase, I just set it there and filled the vase with water to just below the bottom of the bulb. I can't find a pretty picture for you, but here's an array of inexpensive containers that I used for forcing for gifts. Nell
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Linda, I think there are various techniques(chemicals)used in getting the glass to the deep blue color. Cobalt glass is a deep blue colored glass prepared by adding cobalt compounds to the molten glass. It is appreciated for its attractive color. It is also used as an optical filter in flame tests to filter out the yellow flame caused by the contamination of sodium, and expand the ability to see violet and blue hues. Under fluorescent light, cobalt glass has twice the effect. Some people collect objects made from cobalt glass, amassing large collections. One popular example of cobalt glass is Bristol blue glass, as in the distinctive blue bottles of Harvey's Bristol Cream sherry. Cobalt glass changes the color of hydrochloric acid in a mixture of multi-colored cations. [edit] For pigment use Powdered cobalt glass, called smalt (or also simply cobalt glass), has been historically important as a pigment in painting, pottery, and other media. Cobalt glass and smalt are made from silica and are not the same as cobalt blue, which is colored by cobalt ion is a similar way, but using a melting process with alumina. [edit] See also * Smalt * Cobalt blue * Cobalt
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I never have. If you have a google on articles about this, you'll see its more popular in the northern hemisphere where bulbs are forced into flowering indoors. The bulbs aren't really grown in water, you need a specially shaped container, or you need to raise the bulb on stones so it doesn't sit in the water. Hippeastrum will often form a flower spike before roots develop, especially if sold as a new bulb. But in Qld subtropical climate, they are well away with developing a root system by this stage and I doubt that they would appreciate being lifted- though you could certainly try it with some un-flowered bulbs. You'd need to gently wash all the soil off all the roots and keep the water changed. Tulips won't flower here, you might fool them by fridging them one year but they will not flower again unless you are in the inland mountains. Too late for them also. Cannas also don't really grow in water, though they can grow as a bog plant, they have a rhizome which can be a bit unsightly. Or, large, as you need a node. They would be better grown in a gravelly mix with only the roots wet. You would need to change the water frequently to avoid fouling it. I imagine they would do OK indoors in bright light, if you had some of the mini-varieties, some grow a bit too big for a windowsill.
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Haha - Saintin - the answer is "grow Up" and I mean that in the nicest way possible. Wait a little while and you will be free to make your own choices. My home grown tomatoes haven't seen the fridge at all, and we have had heaps of luscious fruit. The last 4 buckets full are ripening slowly in the laundry. If your parents are not reasoning, logical creatures, then nothing will change them. I have been trying to make my mum understand me for 53 years - it really isn't worth the angst. As a child, I knew I was different in the way I thought about things, and my mother always called me the "black sheep' of the family. Funny thing is - I always thought that was meant to be a compliment :-) I could never see any problem with following my own mind, although I heard the expression "If I said it was black you would say it was white" so many times that I did eventually develop the stubborn habit of never agreeing with my mother on principle :-)
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maevesgarden
Original Author
13 years ago
Denninmi, thanks -I am checking out all my glassware with new eyes, now.

Sue - exactly what I am looking for - thank you!

-Maeve
flora_uk
13 years ago
There were a few years when these were hard to find but they seem to have reappeared over here. I have 10 like the ones in Sue's link in white, pale green and blue glass and I was surprised how cheap they were in my local market- about ÃÂ£1.00 each ($1.50.) I have no idea where they come from and they have no brand name.

You might enjoy the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hyacinth glasses
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
You might enjoy the link.
Wow! What a great site! So much variety, and so many different planting options. I'm now really looking forward to scouring the miscellaneous glassware shelves in thrift stores. Then off to buy some Hyacinths, and get them chilling. I wish I would have started earlier on this.

Sue
flora_uk
13 years ago
A bit late in the day but here are my hyacinths awaiting their role as mid winterer cheerer uppers. This was taken about 3 weeks ago. They have little green noses now and I will bring them indoors one by one nearer to Christmas.

The other picture is a brave Nerine bowdenii hanging on out in the chilly November garden.
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ontnative
13 years ago
If anyone buys those inexpensive bulb glasses that are COLORED, do NOT wash them in your dishwasher. I did and the color peeled off. It was just a film coating which the heat of the dishwasher dissolved. Learn something new every day. At least they were cheap, but the colors were so pretty.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
Oh Flora, your cheerer-uppers look great, as does the Nerine bowdenii so late in the year. That reminds me, now that I finally got the hyacinths bought, that I need to get them started in some forcing containers.

If anyone buys those inexpensive bulb glasses that are COLORED, do NOT wash them in your dishwasher. I did and the color peeled off. It was just a film coating which the heat of the dishwasher dissolved.
I bought a cheap (probably used) one at a thrift store and then noticed it was coated as opposed to being actual colored glass. I think even hand washing them 'could' remove some of the colored film, if one wasn't careful. Thanks for the heads-up.

Sue
flora_uk
13 years ago
The ones in my picture have been dishwashered many times. The glass itself is coloured. I don't remember the exact price but they were definitely pretty cheap ie something like ÃÂ£1.50 9 (ca $2.40) They had no packaging or makers name so I can't tell you where they come from.
Chemocurl zn5b/6a Indiana
13 years ago
I'm surprised you bought the cobalt blue colored glass so reasonably priced. What a bargain.

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