[Photos] First Experience Growing Hyacinths

[flowerdazed]

I got some hyacinth bulbs in a trade in January and planted them the later part of January. Thank you again so much BFG! Early March one was showing a little color, and the others followed.

Yesterday, I noticed the oldest suddenly stemmed out and on it's side. So I decided to stake the hyacinth.


Today the next to largest did the same thing.

And today, the fushia colored hyacinths are starting to open.


I've never seen hyacinths in people's gardens in this area (zone 9a) but wanted to try my hand at growing them anyway. I'm wondering if I should have planted the bulbs deeper so I would not be having the problem of the stems drooping. The smell is wonderful I might add. I'm also wondering if they are perennial and would love to see them back in the garden come next spring. Should I feed them, when and what? Input?

[mickeys_rose]

Fd they are lovely and you are right the smell is heavenly.
Sorry to be the barer of bad news but,the reason you don't see them in this zone as the plants just never bloom again. They need to be chilled to set bloom. If you are up for the challenge they will have to be dug up and chilled in the refridgerator for up to 15 weeks I think it is to set the next blooming cycle. Since how our ground never freezes here the bulbs never get that chilling period.

Here is a link that you might enjoy reading on how to get your plants to bloom.

http://www.gardenersnet.com/hplants/hp6.htm

[RiverRock]

Yep MR is right they need that dormant chill time. They grow beautifully were I live because our ground freezes for 4 months in the winter.

[angmf2233]

Wow and we complain here about the freeze!!!!!!! Gotta love hyacinths and tulips though!

[flowerdazed]

Hi mr,
Thanks for the link re: forcing bulbs. Hmmm, interesting. I may try it! I've got some very small hyacinths in the garden as well that I planted several weeks ago. I don't know the variety but I assume I will need to do the same thing for them as well? I am so enjoying the large hyacinths that are in bloom and hoping the small ones will do as well.

RR, thanks. Would you like to tell us what plants do well up north that us southerners cannot grown down here?

angm, I know. I would have a time dealing with 4 months of freezing ground, but they can grow beautiful hyacinths along with other plants as well.

[bali]

Very nice hyacinths.

love the hot colored one.

Were getting there.

b

[RiverRock]

FD the grape hyacinths are not the same as the regular hyacinths. However they also live well in the ground here and spread readily. I dont know if they ar the same in needing the chill time or if they will be fine left in the ground were you are.

As already mentioned tulips need the chill time not sure about lilies. I am still trying to learn about outdoor flowers.

[mickeys_rose]

I am assuming you are talking about Grape Hyacinths? They don't need the chill that the regular ones do but they will spread rapidly and they are gorgeous when they naturalize.

[flowerdazed]

Thanks bali & RR!

Hi there mr,
Thanks for answering both RR's and my question regarding grape hyacinths chill process or lack of it. That is good to know and glad I will not need to dig up the grape hyacinth bulbs.

I would love to see/talk of other people's hyacinths planted in their garden, all varieties! Please feel free to join in!

[RiverRock]

I have 2 hyacinths I just got in a trade this week and they were so close to blooming I did not want to put them in the ground here because its not qite warm enough here yet...so I potted them up in the house and one is now blooming in my kitchen window

[flowerdazed]

That sounds nice RR. What color is your hyacinth and I bet you will thoroughly enjoy the fragrance in your home. Please show us pics!

[RiverRock]

It is a blue I walked into my kitchen just a bit ago and I though ohhhh it smells so good in here

It is almost as good as the Easter Lilies

[flowerdazed]

Ou wow, that sounds nice girl! Please take a pic and post to let us see when you get a chance.

[RiverRock]

Ok I will try this evening but its not fully bloomed yet and it is leaning to one side..LOL

Ok her is my leaning tower of Hyacinth..LOL

[miamipanda]

Beautiful hyacinths ladies!

Here is a map of the estimated chill hours for all areas of the USA:

http://www.sandybarnursery.com/choosing-fruit-trees.htm

I did a couple of searches for the amount of chill hours needed for hyacvinths but couldn't find it in 'hours. But if they do need 6 weeks, that would mean over 1000 chill hours are necessary. I had a 'chilling hours for bulbs chart', but can't seem to find it.

Here is a great article on 'the best bulbs for the south' which does mention one hyacinth that should work:
http://www.southernbulbs.com/blog/20...-in-south.html