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Hyacinth bulbs

Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
in Plants
How long do folk here persevere with Hyacinths? Some of mine are 4-5 years old and are struggling to produce flowers. I don't want give up on them this year if it was just the unusual weather.
A decent burial in the garden and let them take their chances?

Posts

  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    Are these hyacinths you are forcing?  In a pot?  After forcing I have always put mine out into the garden in the green to die back.  They usually don't flower the following year.. but after that they do fine, and even spread.  
    Utah, USA.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I do exactly as Blue Onion does ........ first year indoors in pots or outdoors in containers ... after that they're planted out into the garden ....... but I would add that I wouldn't grow them outside either in containers or in the garden where they could cross-pollinate with native English Bluebells. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
    Thanks for replies Blue and Dove. I have been drying them off and replanting them in sheltered pots in late Autumn, much like tulips. Haven't much space to do other than lift them- very small stately home here. ;)

    I shall put them out then and hope they spread, Blue. No bluebells here Dove, English or otherwise.  :)
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Do you feed them?  In order to make decent bulbs for the following spring you need to feed the bulb each year whilst it is in leaf so the foliage can build up the energy in what will be the power house for next year's show.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Don't wish to upset the very knowledgeable Dove, but Hyacinthus orientalis cannot cross with Hyacinthoides non-scripta. They are in the same family but not closely related enough to form an inter species union. Sorry.
    We plant ours out. One of the original clumps of three now has 19 flowers on it.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Then I was mis-informed ... thanks for putting me right Berghill ... and for giving the good news ... the English bluebell is in enough danger without Hyacinthus orientalis adding to the threat  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
    Thanxx Obelixx. :)  I do make half-hearted efforts to feed all my bulbs for a while before I tip them all into pots still in the green and find a quiet dry place in the courtyard for them. The hyacinths have no trouble producing luscious greenery, flowers are the problem.
    Thanks Berghill, a woodlandy place to plant them? Semi shade?
  • ladygardener2ladygardener2 Posts: 371
    I think that because they're spring bulbs it does'nt really matter where they get planted. I've some in clumps all over the garden, I just pop them in where I can find space. 
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    All of ours are in full sun and our soil is very well drained.
  • Daisy33Daisy33 Posts: 1,031
    Thanks LG2 and again to Berghill. Will find a spot for them...ummm...somewhere. :D
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