Plant up hyacinth bulbs now for Christmas blooms s
NOW’s the time to plant up hyacinths and other bulbs for indoor winter displays, if you haven’t done so already. You’ll need pots or other containers, soilless potting compost or bulb fibre and a cold, dark place to start your bulbs into growth.
If you’re planting hyacinths and want Christmas flowers, make sure you buy prepared bulbs. These will have been lifted in summer and stored at different temperatures to stimulate earlier growth than would occur naturally.
If you prefer your indoor hyacinths blooming from late January, ordinary nonprepared bulbs will be fine. select top-size bulbs for large blooms. Make sure each one is firm and healthy. Plant them in pots which drain freely, using the compost.
The ‘nose’ or top of each bulb should be level with the compost surface. Water the containers, then move them to a cold, dark place.
They will be ready to bring g indoors when the shoots are 2cm to 3cm high. When you introduce them to light and heat, do so gently. Place them in a cold room first, until the shoots have turned green.
Once they’ve recovered, are growing visibly and the buds are beginning to show, move the bowls to a warmer room. When the flowers start to open, support them with a small stake or twigs.