For the actual planting of Hyacinth bulbs indoors, follow the link
for general information on potting and
planting bulbs for
indoor use, or simply proceed as follows.
Hyacinths are normally grown in shallow bowls - without drainage
holes - and grouped in three to five bulbs. The bulbs should be all of
the same variety. Mixed bowls will often disappoint as the bulbs have
different flowering heights and also different flowering times! Same
variety planting ensures a uniform habit and a splash of colour - all at
the same time and height.
If you want bowls of mixed Hyacinths, then far better to buy a range
of different prepared Hyacinths in colours of assorted colours and pot
the bulbs in individual small pots. These can then be selected for size
and colour near to Christmas and transferred into your bowls of mixed
Hyacinths.
Use bulb fibre
and not ordinary garden soil or multi-purpose compost. Bulb fibre has a few
additions that will keep it sweet and not turning stagnant through the
long periods of dark, and moist conditions.
The bulbs should be planted in the bowls or other containers, at a depth
that will allow the nose or even top half of the bulb to be above the
surface of the bulb fibre. Sphagnum moss or pebbles can be used around
the bulbs for effect and decoration nearer the flowering time.
The planting time is all important to ensure Christmas Hyacinths.
Different varieties need different planting times - prepared or not. 10
weeks of cold treatment, followed by a further three weeks gradual
acclimatisation is the maximum time.
Much will depend upon the variety or cultivar of Hyacinth in regards
to planting time in order to get that Christmas perfection, but also,
there can be as much as two weeks leeway either side of your chosen day
of flowering, simply by juggling about with the times and temperatures.
Experimentation is the key, but for exact timings of two popular
cultivars, at an initial cold storage regime of 48 deg F, Hyacinth Pink
Pearl - a firm favourite - should be ready after ten weeks of cold
storage for a further three weeks gradual acclimatisation to bring into
flower. Based upon that, the ideal; time for planting the Hyacinth Bulbs
would be last week in September. At the shorter end of the scale, the
blue Hyacinthus 'Ostara', will only need eight weeks of cold storage,
before bringing out of the cold conditions for a further three weeks.
This suggests a planting time of the second week in October.
All timings are dependent upon the temperatures of both storage and
flowering regimes. Do NOT start to bring your Hyacinths into bloom
-after the cold period - in conditions that are too warm - such as a
central heated room. Please read the general hints for
growing bulbs
indoors for prepared and non prepared Hyacinths.