Forcing Hyacinth Bulbs

I just finished successfully forcing my hyacinth bulb in a special vase that holds the bulb on top and water underneath. My question is, can I save the bulb for later use or should I put it in the compost? If I can save it, do I wait until the leaves have yellowed or can I cut them off right now and store the bulb? Thank you for your help,

LarryDavid

Let the leaves die back naturally, but before this happens, fertilize .. if you use water as growth medium, then make sure you use a water soluble version.

In summer, plant the bulb in the ground and it will flower next year or the year after next in the yard.

thank you for your help!

I am trying a hyacinth bulb also in a hyacinth vase. So far I don't have any growth but it has been only a week so far. I was told to have the water level just below the bottom of the bulb (i.e. not have the water actually touch the bulb or it would rot). Is this what you did? The bulb does have a green tip and was chilled for 8 weeks. How long till it showed any growth?

Thanks

I gave a couple of these as gifts and hope they bloom!

Sue

Hi, could you tell me where you bought the forcing vase at?
Thanks,
Teresa in KY

You can adjust the water level so the bottom 1/2" or so is in water, to get the roots going. Once they start, keep the water at about the level of the base of the bulb, where the roots come out. I've never had a growing bulb rot on me this way.

With a green tip and already chilled, you'll have a flower within a month, if the bulb is big enough. Good luck!

Thanks Andycdn, I just looked yesterday and there are roots there starting. They came quickly. Good to know that it will be about a months time for a bloom.

bluegrass425 - I bought the forcing vases at a local full service nursery near my home (Russell's Garden Center). They had them before Christmas, in the Oct - Dec time frame. I went back recently and they were all cleared out of them. It was quite inexpensive - I think $5 for the vase. You may try to look for them in the fall in your area.

Sue

Russell's (bluegrass this doesn't help you but any New England gardeners, they had a great selection in fall):
http://www.russellsgardencenter.com/

From my 'forcing' book: Water level to almost touch bottom of bulb;cool dark location;(trhey also suggest inside a brown paper bag; roots should appear in about 2 weeks, when top shoots are 2 inchs place in cool, light position. Should take about 1 month from bulb to blossom.

I just wanted to share the progress of my hyacinth forcing. I had an extra hyacinth bulb but didn't have a forcing vase so I used a regular vase. The first photo is after 1 week in water. You can see the roots forming.

This next photo is after 2 weeks of growth. You can see the flower emerging. In the last few days you can see some of the purple/blue flower color appearing.

Sue

How exciting sedum! I loved forcing mine this winter and I think I will make it a tradition along with my amarylis.

LD :)

Here's more progress on the forcing...

Here the hyacinth is just about totally open. Very fragrant!

Does anyone know if you can do this with tulips or daffodils (not paperwhites)?

Sue

My experience is that water forcing works for tulips and amaryllis as well, but not daffodils. I have forced tulips in water for years. You can use a vase or pebbles.