Hyacinths

Hi,

My mam loves hyacinths, I recently saw a whole bunch of bulbs, there were a few too many in the packet. Is it possible to plant half and be able to keep the other half until next year or will they sprout?
Also once they have bloomed and are dying off can you keep the bulbs or are they finished (she never has done in the past but it occurred to me last night maybe you can, since it’s not like they flower and then seed).
Also when is the optimum time to plant them? I know we have them around winter normally.

Thanks

Hi, Dipsydoodle! I see that noone has given you a response. I just happenend upon the houseplants section but I have been really in to bulbs lately since it's time to plant them here in Ohio. Maybe you could post this question on the bulbs forum for additional responses.

I don't know what your weather is there but here in Ohio, US, we are planting bulbs to bloom in the spring. My zone is 5b / 6a. Hyacinths is a popular bulb here that can survive freezing weather in the winter. Hyacinths actually need that chilling period before they bloom. The hyacinths should come back every year and grow baby bulbs to replace the mamas when they are through. They are also safe from squirrels and deer. They are good ones to plant. However, if you touch them with your bare hands they can irritate your skin so I'd suggest using gloves.

If you have too many bulbs they might store in a cool dark place until next year but I wouldn't bet on that. They will probably rot or dry out completely and die. It sounds like you have a lot but if you want you can also force some of the bulbs indoors. I did that last year. I potted Hyacinth bulbs and kept them lightly moist in my unheated garage for about 12 weeks. The pot doesnt need to be much bigger than the bulb. Or you can use what they call a forcing vase where the roots grow into water in a clear vase. When the sprouts were and inch or two I brought them in my house one-by-one. First to my cooler basement in low light for a week or two. Then I brought them into the main room and put them in the window. It was neat to have hyacinths blooming in the winter inside!

We normally "force" them to grow indoors in a pot :-). I was asking because there were packets of about 12 bulbs and 12 would be far too many for the pot. I did manage to get a bag of 3 from the same place, (the pot fits 3 perfectly). They are planted, slightly damp and sitting in cool dark place covered in paper :-). To get them to come back every year would you normally just leave them in the same place? (i know its probably not applicable now that we are growing them indoors its more just curiosity)

Thank you for replying.

Last year when I forced hyacinths I just threw them out after they were done blooming because the ones I bought were not very expensive. If you are forcing them in soil, you can keep them for next year. I believe you follow the same procedure I've heard for other hardy bulbs. Cut the "flower stalk only" when it's done blooming. Let the leaves continues to get sun and water and fertilize the soil. When the leaves begin to die the bulb should have all the nutrients it needs for another bloom. Cut the yellowing leaves off and put the bulb in a cool, dark place. Keep only slightly damp. Then put it through the whole chilling period again and bring it into bloom next year! That's what I know about it. I might try it this year!

Thanks I'll suggest my mam give it a go :-)