forced hyacynths

I read in good old Alan Titchmarsh's book about winter hyacynths as Christmas gifts. I bought the special hyacynths and have put them in bowls in the shed. I looked at them today and the tips poking out don't seem to have done anything in the past 6 weeks except gone white and furry! Are they rotting and going mouldy?? I didn't water them much on purpose. Has anyone else had experience with them?? Wouldn't mind but I bought about 20 bulbs and they weren't cheap! Will they be ok? I know not to bring them into the warmth and light until they have srouted well..but I've a horrible feeling this may never happen.

 

I'm Having the same trouble, I would have expected some growth by now. Annoying isn't it

 

Oh...so it's not just me! Not sure what to do next?? Just wait and hope for the best or what!

 

I'm waiting with crossed fingers,just been to check and I have 2 out of 6 beginning to sprout! I have been watering them more, perhaps that helped.

 

ooh, I'll go and water them right now....maybe there is hope! Thanks Celia

 

Update please! Are they growing yet? I've not put mine in yet.

 

Still only got two, another seems to be rotting away and the cupboard is full of little black flies. Not too successful I would say

 

well, amazingly mine seem to be underway now. Majority have started sprouting but not very quickly but definately doing something..doubt if they'll be ready to give as the dramatic Christmas gifts I'd anticipated but at least they haven't perished.....yet! Not really like in the books though! Unless they put on a late spurt I think I'll save my money next year!

 

I brought mine inside about two weeks ago, put them on the livingroom windowsill and they are about an inch now, they are very slow but like you say they might have a late spurt.

 

I'm no expert ( can you tell?) however have read you shouldn't bring them in too early or you just get leaves but no flowers?? Oh I don't know, bit of a palava really!

 

I find it very difficult to get the timing exactly right. You have to plant them early, I would have thought September to get them to flower for christmas. I place them in the dark and cool, I find the house too warm so i put them in the garage. You have to encourage root growth first and i look for the white roots developing in the compost. When the shoots start developing after about an inch I* introduce them gradually to light but still keep as cool as possible. Too much warmth and the leaves grow really long.
I think Celia's black flies would suggest the compost was too wet. I find that after potting I do not have to water until they come indoors. If there is that much evaporation that they need watering you are probably keeping them too warm.
I would not say it is a palaver. If you stick to the rule that they have to first be kept cool and dark until they have good roots developed and only bring them out when the shoots are well developed then they are not difficult to get right. I usually get them to within a week of Christmas and they are reliable. When putting them in the dark don't put them in a poly bag, otherwise they get boltrytis. I put mine at the back of the garage and wrap them in newspaper.

 

Well, I take back all I said about them being too much trouble! After a very worrying start my hyacynths are wonderful and everyone I've given them to are delighted. Maybe I could have planted them a bit earlier but most are now nicely in bud. I will do them again next year.

 

Well done Plantaholic, I have 2 in flower. The one that looked as if it had rotted off has bulblets growing up and so out of 3 bulbs I now have 5 plants! Not such a disaster after all :eek:

 

Look what has happened to mine!!!!!!!!!
(picture below)
I bought some more yesterday in B&Q and they have just started to grow I have put them in pots of compost where shall I put them?

I like to use them in the house as air freshners they smell so nice.

 

I have just found this thread as I wanted information on caring for my hyacynth bulbs.
They were only £1.99 for 3 from Sainsburys. I planted them about ten days ago and
already the shoots are poking through. Do I bring them out into the light now and water
them? I would love it if the were ready in time for Christmas but I know they
were planted too late.