How are Your Forced Hyacinths
ninecrow
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (6)
Related Discussions
Forcing Tulips and Hyacinths indoors
Comments (3)Organic, did the seller of the bulbs understand that you wanted to "force" these bulbs for flowering at a particular date? Ordninarily bulbs are bought in the fall...and the seller is advised the nature of 'forcing' is wanted. They then sell you the type of bulb that is more in line with how you are bringing them to bloom. In other words, for forcing, they would sell you a bulb that forces well. Normal bulbs require 14 to 15 weeks of cooling. Your pre-chilled then must only be required to 'fill in' the remaining weeks. The refrigerator then is the only place at this time you can hope for continuing the cooling process. Just subtract the number of weeks in the fridge from the rquired 14. If your bulbs were given a pre-cooling of ....say 8 weeks, then you would be required to finish the remaining 6 in the fridge. They need a temperature of between 35�F and 50�F...so the fridge is the ideal place. Be sure though to not put them into a crisper with other fruit. Plus, these are living plants...bulbs. They must be given a medium to grow their roots in and they must be kept damp. When they do acquire roots, then they are brought out to the sunshine which will target the production of bloom. Into each pot, 3 hyacinths can be planted; 6 tulips in the other. Put the bulb with the flat side toward the outer edge of the pot...this will produce the initial leaves pointing out..the first leaves will grow outward then from its neighbors. If you are using clay potting, be sure to soak it overnight before placing soil into it. Fill each pot loosely with potting soil; the tops of the bulbs should be even with the rim. Don't compress them, just open the soil, place the bulb in. Then water. As the soil settles you can then add more soil but leave room for future watering. The pot must drain. Label each pot so that you know who's who and when you planted it. It does appear if you can give it the cooling required, your end of May date might just be possible. Delaying of bloom is brought about by denying sunlight, withdrawing so much water and otherwise put the bulb back in time to come to bloom. I hope the guests appreciate how you have brought so much flowering into the day. If it works, you can then boast how you made it happen. Good luck....but please, if you do make this happen, don't do what other parents have done...named their children some dopey name like May, or Flower, or Tulip....or Hope or Charity...........See Moreforced hyacinths blooming before fully risen out of bulb. Why?
Comments (5)The same thing happened to me. They were kept potted in the cold garage all winter, I was sure it was long enough. I "woke them up" in April, but the blooms were very low....See MoreForcing Costco hyacinths
Comments (2)A search for 'Forcing Hyacinths' turns up as many opinions are there are sites. The best that I saw was the advice on the oldhousegardens.com site. Most agree that the bulbs should not touch the water; the roots will grow down to the water. It's also agreed that using a frost-free refrigerator will require some way to protect the bulbs from drying. 2/16/04 Hyacinthus 'City of Harlem' My way is to prechill the bulbs in a paper bag in a refrigerator drawer (fruit-free) and then put them in a cool utility room in vases of some kind that elevate them above the water. Once they're prechilled, you might be able to keep yours in the garage in vases in your igloo cooler until you see good sprouts and then bring them inside. A little blue mold won't hurt; just wipe it off with a damp cloth when you notice it. Good luck. Nell...See MoreProblem with forcing Hyacinth bulbs in water.
Comments (22)If you want to grow in soil, plant the bulb in soil right from the start. Growing in water is the whole idea of this method, hence the pretty vases. Water growing is not intended as a precursor to soil growing. After the bloom is over you can plant the bulb out in the garden....See Moreninecrow
4 years agoninecrow
4 years agoninecrow
4 years ago
Related Stories
HOUSEPLANTSGet Spring-Like Hyacinth Blooms All Winter Long
Try one of these forcing methods for cheery, colorful flowers to brighten wintry days
Full StoryFALL GARDENINGFall Planting: No Bulb Garden Is Complete Without a Hyacinth
Plant hyacinths in fall for fragrant blooms in spring, just when you need them
Full StoryDIY PROJECTSHoliday DIY: Mason Jar Forced Bulbs and Evergreen Gift Tags
Learn how to make these winter projects from the book ‘Garden Made’ by Stephanie Rose
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESPlant Easygoing Grape Hyacinth for Reliable Repeat Blooms
The small but sturdy grape hyacinth provides plenty of reliable early-spring color
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESWhat to Do After Spring Bulbs Have Bloomed
Here’s how to care for daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs when they’re done blooming
Full StoryMOST POPULAR12 Stunning Spring Container Gardens
Welcome the season with fragrant hyacinths, cheerful daffodils, potted pansies and sweet early strawberries
Full StorySPRING GARDENING9 Beautiful Early Spring Container Gardens
Capture the fleeting beauty of spring ephemerals with snowdrops, daffodils, pansies, sweet-smelling hyacinths and more
Full StoryGREAT LAKES GARDENINGGreat Lakes Gardener's November Checklist
So many seed heads and berries to admire as you prepare for winter and prep bulbs for forced indoor blooming
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES14 Colorful Spring Containers to Cheer Up Your Porch or Garden
Fragrant hyacinths, darling daffodils, bright tulips, colorful pansies and more make the sweetest container combos yet
Full StoryFEEL-GOOD HOMEHow to Feel Good About Your Home This January
Spending lots of time at home? Make sure you enjoy it. These thoughtful ideas will keep the love for your abode alive
Full Story
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK