Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis) – Flowering plants

Hyacinth is a bulbous plant, with a 1-3 inches diameter bulb. Every bulb produces a thick bloom stem, which carries dozens of little, waxy blossoms. The hyacinth flower is very fragrant and comes in stunning shades of blue, violet-blue, red, orange, pink, yellow or white. The leaves are strap-shaped, 15–35 cm long and 1–3 cm broad, with a soft, succulent texture, and produced in a basal whorl.

Scientific Name: Hyacinthus orientalis
Common Name: Hyacinth, Garden Hyacinth or Dutch hyacinth

How to grow and maintain Hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis):

Light:
Hyacinthus orientalis flower best in full sun (6 hours or more of direct sunlight per day) but tolerate light shade. They can thrive under deciduous trees, provided root competition is not too severe and the bulbs receive at least a half-day (3–4 hours) of sunlight after the trees leaf out.

Soil:
It grows well in a moist but well-drained, organically rich soils. Hyacinths can also be grown in water.

Water:
Water the hyacinth every 2 to 3 days. Keep the soil evenly moist. Try not to enable the soil to dry out completely.

Temperature:
It prefers cool 45°F-65°F / 7°C-18°C. Make your flowers last longer by keeping them in a slightly cooler location. Blooms will last for 2-3 weeks if kept at a maximum of 65°F/18°C.

Fertilizer:
The most basic approach is to plant the bulbs in a bowl filled with bulb fiber. You can use a general purpose compost but you will need drainage. Water the compost or fiber before you begin.

Propagation:
Hyacinth bulbs that are forced into bloom indoors will not bloom a second time. They do deliver offsets, which can be planted outside. In the event that you need to keep them, allow the foliage to die back naturally, then cut it back. Store the offset bulbs in a cool, dry place. Plant the bulbs in your flower garden in the fall.

Pests and Diseases:
No serious insect or disease problems. Bulb rot may occur in poorly drained soils. Wear gloves when planting bulbs to avoid possible allergic skin reactions. Flowering often decreases in quality after the first year, and bulbs may need to be replaced every couple of years.

How to grow hyacinth bulbs in vases:

1. Cool your hyacinth bulbs before planting them. Store your bulbs in a dark area with temperatures between 35°F-45°F. Great examples of these locations include fridges, outdoor sheds, garages, or even potted damp sand.
2. Find a suitable container to grow your hyacinth bulb. Bulb vases also called forcing jars, are the ideal shape for forcing bulbs, they are designed with a narrow neck that holds the bulb above water, and a wide base that allows the roots to dangle and grow in the water. The wide base of bulb vases will allow your hyacinth to fully bloom without knocking over the vase.
3. Add water to the container. Fill your container with enough water so that it is up to, but not touching, the bottom of the hyacinth bulb. Utilizing forcing jars are perfect because they are cinched at the waist and allow the bulbs to sit nicely above the water.
4. Place your bulb in the container. Set your bulb on top of the cinched neck of your vase, with the root end facing down. Make sure that your bulb is sitting just above the water, but that no water is actually touching it. Its roots will slowly grow into the water in the base of the vase and the hyacinth will slowly begin to bloom.
5. Pick a cool, dark place for your bulb. Place the hyacinth bulb and vase in a cool and dark area (40°F-55°F), such as your garage or refrigerator. Keep cool for approximately a month, or until the hyacinth’s root system has developed in the water of the jar and growth from the top of the bulb has started.
6. Move the bulb to a warm, bright spot when it blooms. Your hyacinth should be transferred to a warmer, somewhat brighter place (50°F-60°F) once it is ready. You will realize the hyacinth is ready to be moved once the foliage has become around 2 inches tall and the root system has extended to the base of the vase. Keep the bulbs in this location for about a week, or until its shoots have green.