How to Grow Hyacinths? A Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods

The hyacinth flower embodies our beautiful life, so serene and passionate. It represents the splendor and glory of every stage of life from youth to old age; a person's inner world is like a rich and colorful universe. A tranquil life blooms like a flower, releasing the light of life.

Hyacinth is a perennial herbaceous plant. The bulb is egg-shaped with a membranous outer skin. It has 4 to 8 leaves, narrowly lanceolate, fleshy, with a groove on the surface, green and glossy. The flower stem is fleshy, slightly taller than the leaves, with a terminal raceme bearing 5 to 20 flowers, oriented horizontally or drooping, funnel-shaped, with a long perianth tube that is swollen at the base, and recurved oblong lobes. Flowers come in purple, white, red, yellow, pink, blue and other colors, and there are also double-flowered, large-flowered, early-flowering and polyploid varieties.
 
Four Essentials of Hyacinth Cultivation
1. Bulb selection. The nutrients needed for hyacinth flowering come mainly from those stored in the bulb scales. Only by choosing bulbs that are undamaged on the surface, whose fleshy scales are not excessively shriveled, and that are fairly firm, heavy and plump, can you produce abundant, beautiful flowers.

2. Soil requirements. The soil should be fertile, high in organic matter, with good crumb structure, and a pH of 6 to 7. A growing medium can be mixed in the ratio of 5 parts leaf mold : 3 parts garden soil : 1.5 parts coarse sand : 0.5 part bone meal. Before planting, chemical agents such as formalin can be applied to the soil surface at a soil temperature of 10 to 15 degC, then immediately covered with plastic film; in warm weather, after 3 days remove the film, let it air for 1 day, then plant, keeping the soil moist.

3. Light. Hyacinths need only above 5000 Lx to maintain normal physiological activity. Too little light will lead to weak, spindly plants, overly long stems, small buds, early flower fading and yellowing leaves; supplemental lighting can be provided with an incandescent lamp about 1 m away. But too much light can also cause scorching of leaves and petals or shorten the flowering period.

4. Temperature and humidity regulation. If the temperature is too high, even above 35 degC, flower bud differentiation will be inhibited, growth will become deformed, and the rate of blind flowers will increase; if the temperature is too low, the flower buds will suffer frost damage.
 
Soil humidity should be kept between 60 and 70%. If too high, root respiration is inhibited and rot easily occurs; if too low, the aboveground parts wilt and may even die. Air humidity should be kept at around 80%, and can be increased by misting or sprinkling water on the ground, or reduced by measures such as ventilation.

Scientific Cultivation of Grape Hyacinth

Grape hyacinth flowers look like strings of purple grapes and are very beautiful. It is highly cold-tolerant and can overwinter outdoors even in North China. In cultivation, note the following:
(1) The growing medium should preferably be a deep, fertile sandy loam with good drainage.
(2) Propagate with daughter bulbs. Every 2 to 3 years, dig up the mother plant and take well-grown daughter bulbs as propagation material. Planting can be done in September to October, and they will bloom the following April.
(3) Apply sufficient base fertilizer before planting. During the growing period, apply a relatively complete liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times as a top dressing, and pay attention to watering to promote growth. After flowering, reduce watering and apply liquid fertilizer 1 to 2 times to benefit the growth of the underground bulbs. In summer, grape hyacinth is in its dormant period, so stop fertilizing and control watering to prevent root rot. In winter, cut off the aboveground parts and water thoroughly to help it overwinter.

How to Grow Hyacinths, Hyacinth Cultivation Methods

Hyacinths represent romance, nobility and happiness. Growing a pot of hyacinths at home not only adds a colorful atmosphere to the home but also lifts your mood. Let's take a look at hyacinth cultivation methods below.

I. Hyacinth Cultivation Methods——Bulb Selection

The nutrients hyacinths need for growth all come from the bulb, so the bulb is the key to hyacinth care. It is best to choose hyacinth bulbs with no damage on the surface.

II. Hyacinth Cultivation Methods——Soil Planting

Hyacinths are planted in soil around October, and the soil should be fully fertilized before planting, which benefits subsequent flowering. Before hyacinths bloom, no special management is needed. After flowering ends, the part close to the flower stem can be cut off to ensure the continued development of the bulb.

III. Hyacinth Cultivation Methods——Pot Planting

Hyacinths should be planted in loose soil; some leaf mold and fine sand can be added to the soil to increase aeration. Also, when planting, the bulb should be left with its scales exposed above the soil surface. After planting, make sure hyacinths get plenty of sunlight, and keep the soil moist.

IV. Hyacinth Cultivation Methods——Water Culture

For water culture of hyacinths, first choose a special glass vessel whose mouth is smaller than the bulb. Then add water until it is one centimeter below the bottom of the bulb.

V. Hyacinth Cultivation Methods——Toxicity

Are hyacinths toxic? We must remind everyone that hyacinths are toxic, so they should not be placed indoors or in the bedroom; it is better to place them in a ventilated spot.

How to Grow Hyacinths, Hyacinth Cultivation Methods

Hyacinth is a special plant species native to the Mediterranean coast. It is also called "foreign narcissus" or "five-color narcissus", and is a common plant in the family Hyacinthaceae of the order Asparagales. It is now also a hot-selling variety on the domestic flower market. Its flower colors are bright and varied, and it can bloom around the Spring Festival, which is very helpful for enhancing the festive atmosphere. But how should this plant be grown? What should be done normally to grow hyacinths well? Below, the editor will explain it in detail for everyone.

1. Selection and Treatment of Bulbs

Most people choose to buy bulbs when growing hyacinths, but when selecting bulbs, be sure to choose plump, fresh, healthy bulbs. After purchase, remove the old skin and old roots on the surface, then disinfect with potassium permanganate for a quarter of an hour. After disinfection, take them out and remove the surface moisture; it should naturally take about 24 hours.

2. Planting Methods

Prepare loose, fertile growing soil in a flower pot, then plant the treated hyacinth bulb directly into the potting soil. When planting, the top of the hyacinth bulb can be left exposed about 0.5 cm above the surface. After planting, water thoroughly, and within a few days new shoots will grow from the hyacinth bulb.

3. Daily Care

After hyacinths sprout, be sure to raise the temperature of the growing environment; only in this way can hyacinths be encouraged to bloom earlier. Normally, the temperature for growing hyacinths should be controlled at around 15 to 20 degC. If the temperature is below 10 degC, hyacinths will grow slowly, but when the temperature is above 25 degC, hyacinths will develop blind flowers, making normal flowering impossible. At this time, pay attention to temperature regulation, and let them receive sufficient sunlight and increase environmental ventilation.

4. Flowering Period Management

The flowering period of this plant, the hyacinth, is about 10 to 15 days. After it blooms, the indoor temperature can be lowered relatively, which can effectively extend its flowering period, but it must receive sufficient sunlight every day, otherwise its flowers will quickly fade. After hyacinth flowers fade, promptly remove the spent flowers and apply sufficient fertilizer to grow its bulbs; only in this way can it bloom again the following year.