Hyacinth for Christmas?

When would be the right time to start Hyacinth to flower around Christmas time?

 

last week

 

Last week?

 

• Hyacinths: The exact timings for hyacinths will vary according to the cultivar. For example, ‘Pink Pearl’ needs 10 weeks of cool conditions followed by 22 days indoors to reach flowering stage (so plant 24 September for Christmas blooms), while ‘Anna Marie’ needs only 8 weeks cool and 18 days inside to bloom (plant 12 October). Low temperatures will delay development so some experimentation may be needed with each cultivar

1. To have hyacinths in flower for the Christmas period make sure you buy bulbs labelled 'prepared'
2. You may wish to wear gloves when handling the bulbs as hyacinths can cause skin irritation
3. The simplest compost to choose is bulb fibre, especially if the container has no drainage holes. Alternatively, a soil-based or soilless compost can be used, provided it has a good, open texture and is moisture-retentive but free-draining. It is not necessary to use a fertiliser-rich growing medium or to feed the bulbs after planting
4. Wet the fibre or compost first and place a layer in the bottom of the bowl or pot
5. Set the bulbs on the fibre or compost. They can be close together, but not touching each other or the sides of the container
6. Fill around the bulbs with more fibre or compost, leaving about 1cm (½in) between the compost surface and the container rim to aid watering
7. The tops of the bulbs should just be showing at the surface

The next step - 'forcing' the bulbs to flower at Christmas
After planting, the bulbs need a dark and cool period (ideally 9°C/48°F) to encourage the development of a good root system.

Method 1

• Place the potted bulbs in a black polythene bag and stand them in a cellar or dark corner of a shed or garage
• Check regularly and water if there are signs that the growing medium is drying out or that the vase needs topping up
• Bowls or pots without drainage holes should be tipped on their sides for a while after watering to allow the excess to run out

I have mine in the shed already.

 

Thank you for the info Pam...the Hyacinth is Delft Blue