Submitted by ju1i3 on 1 January, 2022 - 16:42
hyacinths out of the dark 1-1-2022 with Victor in the background; the shoots are quite yellow when the hyacinths first come out of the dark and they green up in a couple days
hyacinths in bloom in bulb bowls 1-1-2022
hyacinths in bloom and bud in hyacinth vases 1-1-2022
hyacinths in bloom and bud in vases and bowls 1-1-2022
hyacinths in bloom in bulb bowls 1-1-2022
Wedgwood hedgehog with crocus bulbs 1-1-2022
Submitted by ju1i3 on 29 December, 2021 - 17:24
White Pearl hyacinths in bud 30-12-2021
on closer examination of the Jan Bos hyacinths in the Davidson bulb bowl, 2 of the 3 bulbs have 2 stems, one with a wilting flower, one with a fresh flower
hyacinths in bloom in bulb bowls 29-12-2021
Delft Blue hyacinths in bloom 29-12-2021
hyacinths in bloom in bulb bowls 29-12-2021
Submitted by ju1i3 on 25 December, 2021 - 08:48
hyacinths in bloom Christmas day 2021
Submitted by ju1i3 on 22 December, 2021 - 12:08
some hyacinths in bloom and bud the day before Christmas Eve
lots of fat hyacinth buds, I look forward to flowers soon
hyacinths in bloom a few days before Christmas
Wedgwood hedgehog with crocus bulbs turning green and fat
Submitted by ju1i3 on 12 December, 2021 - 15:43
These hyacinths are developing well. These will be my first in bloom, hopefully in time for Christmas.
Submitted by ju1i3 on 4 December, 2021 - 05:49
Beginning of December, first hyacinths are ready to come out of the dark. I think they need to be out for 3 weeks before they bloom so that gives a good chance for blooms on Christmas Day.
when the bulge of the flower has grown out of the bulb, they are ready to come out of the dark
a common failure of forced hyacinths is taking them out of the dark too early, but as long as that bulge is in the stem, they are ready to come into the light, these are ready
definitely ready to come out of the dark into the light
these are more than ready - not only is the bulge of the flower grown out of the bulb but one is starting to open, I'm probably a bit late taking this bulb bowl out of the dark (Davidson uranium glass bulb bowl)
The hyacinth bulb bowls in the cellar, notice what different stages of development the hyacinths are - some are ready to come into the light, some not at all. The downside of using bulb bowls.
A few days later, I brought up one of the bulb bowls as some of the hyacinths are so ready even if all of the bulbs in a bowl are not at the same stage. Rocky cannot resist playing with the hyacinth bulbs.
Submitted by ju1i3 on 16 November, 2021 - 06:00
Forcing bulbs can be challenging. This year I was delayed suffering from Covid (despite having both vaccinations) so finally planting up the hedgehog mid-November, later than I would have liked.
I broke off the shoots coming out of the sides and bottom of the bulbs. They won't be able to grow in the hedgehog and they will take energy away from the main shoots.
Somehow I've managed to make two errors. A couple of the holes do not have bulbs in them - it was very difficult to get them positioned properly and I missed some. And only this morning (after planting it up yesterday), I realised I used some of the mixed crocus rather than just the Record variety which I intended. With different bulbs they will bloom at different times as they did last year so wanted to have the same but did not go according to plan! I will try to be more organised next year.
Submitted by ju1i3 on 16 October, 2021 - 11:03
We're a little late starting as the hyacinth growing season was a bit difficult and the hyacinths were late to be harvested but my bulbs ordered from Peter Nyssen arrived this week. My polydactyl cat Scarecrow who came to keep me company when I started doing my bulbs, I always have at least 1 cat appear when I do them.
How to Force Hyacinths
1. put the bulb in the cup of the vase
2. fill the vase with water to just under the bulb, the bulb must not sit in water (see photo below)
3. place the vases somewhere cool and dark for 6 weeks and then check weekly
4. I will add photos later of how tall the stem should be for them to come out into the light and warmth
buy bulbs at the garden centre / supermarket / DIY shop / mail order from a specialist supplier, eg Peter Nyssen
1. put the bulb in the cup of the vase
2. fill the vases with water to just under the bulb, the bulb must not sit in water
3. place the vases somewhere cool and dark for 6 weeks and then check weekly
Submitted by ju1i3 on 4 February, 2021 - 05:31
The final hyacinths of the forcing season. I'm not sure if those two on the right are going to make it but then I wasn't sure the two in the amethyst and green vases on the left would a week or so ago but they've grown well.
two Delft Blue hyacinths
these were the hyacinths a few days before the photos above, 2 City of Bradford on the left, Delft Blue on the right
Submitted by ju1i3 on 26 January, 2021 - 12:31
update a few days later, looking even better and fuller
a few days before the photos above, City of Bradford, a bit variable, but when they flower well, wonderful blooms with fabulous scent rivalling Delft Blue. City of Bradford on the right, 1 Delft Blue on the left.
Blue Jacket hyacinths
these were the hyacinths a couple weeks ago
last hyacinths out of the cellar, not sure they're all going to bloom but it's so late now, I decided it's time to bring them out
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