How to Grow Hyacinths? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions

The hyacinth is a flowering plant introduced to China from the Netherlands. Because of its unique fragrant scent and brilliant colors, many flower lovers are very fond of it, and so it is grown in many parts of China. The hyacinth is a very special plant, as it can be grown either in water or in soil. Next, let us learn about its cultivation methods together.

How to Grow Hyacinths

1. Soil

For hyacinths, well-drained, not-too-dry sandy loam is preferable; the soil should be fertile with a high organic matter content. Before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer. For field cultivation, avoid continuous cropping.

2. Fertilizing

During the autumn and winter growing season, apply 1-2 topdressings mainly of phosphorus and potassium. No fertilizing is needed during the flowering period; apply one topdressing each before and after flowering, and apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting in pots or soil.

3. Watering

Hyacinths like sunlight and are relatively cold-tolerant, and they are suited to growing in a cool, moist environment. Therefore, they need frequent watering to keep soil moisture at 60-70{bf}, which favors the growth and reproduction of hyacinths.

4. Light

After planting the hyacinth, place it in a sunny spot and let it receive 1 to 2 hours of scattered light each day so that its leaves and flower stalks grow strong. Rotate it to a different direction each day so that it does not lean to one side due to phototropism. If light is insufficient, or if there is long-term dryness in winter, flowering will be poor.

5. Temperature

Generally, no other management is done before flowering. After flowering, if you do not intend to collect seeds, the flower stalk should be cut off to promote bulb development, and the cut should be made as high on the flower stalk as possible. In summer, the temperature should not exceed 28°C, and the temperature required for forcing is 5-10°C.

Hyacinth Cultivation Methods and Precautions

I. Cultivation Methods

1. Temperature

The root system grows best when the bulb is at a low temperature of 2-6°C. The suitable temperature for bud sprouting is 5-10°C, the suitable temperature for leaf growth is 10-12°C, and 15-18°C is most favorable during the bud emergence and flowering stage. The storage temperature for bulbs is 20-28°C, with 25°C being the most suitable, ideal for flower bud differentiation.

2. Light

During hyacinth cultivation, it is recommended to give an appropriate amount of light time each day. If the light is too weak, it will lead to weak plants, small buds, and yellowing leaves, but the light intensity should not be too strong either. If the light is too strong, it will cause the hyacinth's flowering period to be too short.

3. Soil

For hyacinths, well-drained, not-too-dry sandy loam is preferable; the soil should be fertile, with high organic matter content and good aggregate structure, neutral to slightly alkaline, with a pH level of 6-7. For potted growing media, equal parts of humus-rich leaf mold, garden soil, and coarse sand can be mixed, with a small amount of bone meal added.

4. Moisture

The watering principle is to water when dry and stop when wet. Note that there should not be too much water, nor should the potting soil be allowed to become too dry. For watering done to maintain greenhouse humidity, it is better to choose the morning as the watering time.

II. Precautions

1. Outdoor cultivation. Overall, hyacinths are relatively suited to low-temperature environments, so it is best to keep them outdoors in normal times, and move them indoors only after the temperature drops below 0°C.

2. Dispelling the floral scent. Hyacinths are not only beautiful, but also give off a strong fragrance. If you cannot adapt to this floral scent, keep the area ventilated so that it disperses as quickly as possible.

When to Change the Water for Hydroponic Hyacinths

1. Do you need to change the water?

When growing hyacinths hydroponically, the water does need to be changed. This is mainly to ensure that, during hydroponic cultivation of hyacinths, there will be more oxygen in the water; the more oxygen there is, the better the plant will grow.

2. Water-changing frequency

Actually, hydroponic hyacinths do not need very frequent water changes. In general, in spring and autumn, you can change the water once every 7-10 days; in summer, change the water about once every 5 days; in winter, the interval should be longer, generally changing the water once every 10-15 days.

3. Key points for changing water

When growing hyacinths hydroponically, when adding water, note that there should be a gap between the water surface and the bottom of the bulb; do not submerge the bulb. At the same time, the water level should not be too high. If using tap water, let it sit first before use. You can appropriately add some nutrient solution to the water. Note that during the growing period, as the hyacinth gradually grows, after it has developed roots, changing the water only requires keeping the water level where it can touch the water surface.

What to Do After Hydroponic Hyacinths Finish Flowering

1. Continue hydroponic growing

After the flowers fade, continue growing the hydroponic hyacinth in water until early June, when the temperature gradually rises, and the hyacinth's leaves will turn yellow and it will enter a summer dormancy period.

2. Cut off the leaves

Cut off all the yellowed leaves of the hyacinth during summer dormancy, and also cut off all the roots.

3. Refrigerate the hyacinth

Place the bulb in a cool, ventilated place to air-dry for 1 to 2 days (absolutely do not sun-dry it). After it is thoroughly dried, wrap the bulb well in newspaper, put it in a jar, and place it in the refrigerator's cold storage compartment (not the freezer).

4. Temperature requirements

During the summer, the temperature must not exceed 10 degrees, otherwise the bulb is prone to rotting.

5. Replanting

Wait until November, when the temperature gradually turns cooler and deep autumn arrives, take out the hyacinth bulb that has been stored for a summer, place it on the mouth of a suitable container, add water to about 1CM from the bottom of the bulb, and then place it in a completely dark and cool place at 5°C to encourage rooting. After about 25 days, roots will begin to sprout. When the roots have grown to 2CM, you can follow normal hyacinth care methods until it blooms.

For growing hyacinths, hydroponics is one of the most popular methods of caring for hyacinths. Generally, as long as you have a container and a basin of clean water, you can keep them alive. This method is relatively easier than soil cultivation, and flower lovers who want to grow them can choose according to their own preference.