Many bulbous plants, such as daffodils and crocuses, bloom in winter and early spring when grown indoors. However, hyacinths are among the most popular and easiest to force. Once they open, they make wonderful gifts for special occasions, such as New Year's or March 8th. Forcing hyacinths requires following certain guidelines to ensure vibrant blooms.
Selecting a variety for forcing
Varieties for early forcing:
- Blue magic;
- Lilo Grahn;
- Delft Blue;
- General Kohler;
- Innocence;
- Marconi;
- Myosotis;
- Ostara;
- Pink Pearl;
- Melting;
- Eros and others.
Mid-season flowering varieties for indoor use:
- Amethyst;
- Blue Giant;
- Blue Jackets;
- Blue Sky;
- Gypsy Queen;
- Carnegie;
- Queen of Blues;
- Lady Derby;
- Orange Bowen;
- Tubergens Scarlett.
For late flowering, only suitable for April and May holidays:
- Anna Lisa;
- Woodstock;
- Gertrude;
- Madame Haubensack;
- City of Harlem;
- Snow Crystal;
- Hollyhock.
The most popular varieties for forcing are: Delph Blue, Jan Bos, Lady Derby, and Cornegy (especially for March 8th).
Thanks to the variety of varieties, you can grow a beautiful flower that will fit into any interior style and will be a memorable gift for a significant occasion.
Forcing Hyacinths for March 8th and Other Holidays: Step-by-Step Instructions
Before you begin, you need to figure out when to plant hyacinths for forcing. The plants need to undergo a preliminary cold treatment, which takes about three months. After the shoots emerge, flowering begins within 2-3 weeks.
Therefore, to present hyacinths with beautiful buds for International Women's Day, planting should take place in mid-November to early December. If the goal is to have flowers by New Year's, pot the bulbs in early September.
In the same way, you can calculate the time of appearance of buds for any holiday.
That is, you need to count back 3.5-4 months from the significant date.
It's important to choose the right bulbs. They're sold in stores year-round. They should be large and heavy. Make sure they show no signs of infection or other damage.
Store them in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer, or in a cool basement or cellar.
If hyacinths are grown from purchased material labeled “for forcing,” there is no need to pre-treat them with cold.
You can also grow flowers from your own bulbs.
Step-by-step process of preparing them for indoor growing:
- Dig up the planting material at the end of summer, select large specimens (more than 5 cm in circumference).
- Dry in the shade or under a canopy.
- Place in a room with a temperature of +30 °C and high humidity for a couple of weeks.
- After the specified time, gradually lower the temperature to +16…+18 °C. This promotes the formation of flower buds.
- If it is not possible to perform the steps described exactly, it is recommended to purchase the bulbs from a specialized store.
Before understanding the growing technology, you need to choose the right container.
The pot depth should be at least 15 cm. The circumference can be any size, depending on how many bulbs will be planted.
There should be 1-2 cm between the planting material units. They should not touch the walls of the container.
If you take a pot that has already been used, you need to scald it with boiling water.
Soil can be purchased at the store. It doesn't need to be disinfected, as this is done at the factory.
You can also prepare the soil mixture yourself from:
- turf;
- humus;
- coarse sand.
Mix the ingredients in a ratio of 2:1:0.5. Heat the prepared substrate in an oven preheated to 100°C to kill pathogens. Perlite is a good addition for improved air circulation.
Treat the bulbs with potassium permanganate or any fungicide (Maxim, Vitaros, etc.) for about 30 minutes.
Step-by-step detailed planting instructions:
- Place a drainage layer in the container.
- Fill the soil almost to the brim. Water it into the holes where the bulbs will be placed.
- Plant the planting material 2/3 deep, root side down. The tops should be above the ground, level with the rim of the pot.
- Compact the substrate and water it without touching the bulbs. Top with sawdust and sphagnum moss.
- Cover with a cap, preferably dark plastic, transfer to a cool room for 3-4 weeks at a temperature of +10 °C, then at +4…+6 °C, possibly down to 0 °C, for another month.
- When the top layer of soil dries out, water moderately with warm water, preferably in a tray.
In about two months, the bulbs will sprout. They should be moved to a bright location, such as an east-facing window. When the bushes reach 12-15 cm, remove the dark cover. To ensure prolonged flowering, keep hyacinths at a temperature of 16 to 18° C. Warmer conditions cause the plants to shed their petals more quickly.
You can also force hyacinths in water and hydrogel. When placing the bulb in water, make sure it doesn't touch the water. Follow the same steps.
If using hydrogels, they are filled with water and fertilizer, and the hyacinth is placed there, just as in a substrate. The care is the same.
By following simple rules, you can grow a beautiful houseplant with abundant blooms. If you choose the right planting time, hyacinth bushes can be presented for any occasion.
