READER’S QUESTION

CAN I stop indoor potted hyacinths from flopping over? Mine are an inch high now, and I’d like them to stay upright over Christmas.

J. Miller, Edinburgh. The secret is to prevent the stems from shooting up too quickly. however well- grown they are, indoor hyacinths usually need supporting.

At this stage, keep your plants as cool as possible and in full light. A southfacing window in a non-heated room is ideal.

Growth will be slower, but the stems will be more stocky. When buds begin to colour, move them to a warmer room in full light. That will help, but they’ll still benefit from support.

I gather twigs from deciduous shrubs in the garden and use those as miniature pea-sticks.

If 15cm long, with twiggy sideshoots, they can be inserted discreetly among the leaves and will support the flower stems.