INDIANAPOLIS – Hyacinth bulbs are “on vase” once again, and showing both roots and shoots after less than 48 hours.
And thus another gardening year is off and running here at May Dreams Gardens.
I pulled the bulbs out of the refrigerator on January 1st, where they had been chilling since mid-October in a plain brown paper bag, and placed them on the vases filled with water.
And now on January 3rd – roots and shoots.
Forcing hyacinths to bloom using hyacinth vases is one of the easiest and most rewarding activities for any gardener in the winter time. It’s almost as effortless as growing dandelions or chickweed.
I highly recommend it, I encourage it. I could not imagine a gardening year that didn’t start off with it. I must have hyacinths on vase in January.
What? You didn’t buy any hyacinths bulbs this past fall? You don’t own a hyacinth vase? Well, you are in luck! I saw some hyacinth vase kits with a vase and a pre-chilled bulb for sale just the other day at one of our big box stores, right next to the marked down amaryllis bulbs. Surely there is a store near you that also has them! Go today and check. Get one, get two. No wait, get three, because remember that three is the least number that a gardener really knows.
Put your hyacinth bulbs “on vase”, stand back, and wait for the magic to happen!
What a fast response from those bulbs…you'll have color in no time!
WoW! This was very informative. No, I didn't buy hyacinths this year or have a vase. Maybe I'd best be checking the stores when I go into town tomorrow. Thanks for the info.
You taught me something new today. That beautiful turquoise vase that belonged to Mom, and that I kept because I thought it was so pretty, is a hyacinth vase. The only bulbs I have around are garlic, somehow I don't think the effect would be quite the same, but next year…
Two are 'on vase' here, have beautiful white roots and will soon be in bud. Suddenly I remember there are more bulbs 'in refrig' and can't even say how many. Maybe they'll go in the ground instead of the little blue ceramic planters that await them.
Wonder how a chilled bulb would stand the trek north to Becky's?
Quite impressive even for a seasoned gardener like yourself. I have never forced any bulbs. I do have hyacinths in the garden, hopefully they will return again this spring. Oh, as far as the garden journal goes…….I could only find an accountants tablet…so be it!! It's paper, huh?
Can't wait to watch them grow, they will add beauty & fragrance to your home.
No hyacinths here but I do have a few narcissus blooming. It is amazing how fast they send out roots and shoots.
Hear! Hear! Mine are off and running too. In fact, I can see flower heads coming on a couple.
I can't believe you have shoots in less than 48 hours! It took my amaryllis weeks before it showed any signs of growth. No hyacinths here–I'd better head off for the after-season sales tomorrow!
Just reading your post I could smell their fragrance wafting through the house. I need to get to the Big Box and look.
Carol, can't wait to see them in bloom. And also, can't believe it's been a year since yo last put them on vase!
Huh…, the response is rather quick in less than 48 hours. ~bangchik
Where do you find these vases? I only have one, purchased with a pre-chilled bulb at the Home and Garden show last year! I did not chill any bulbs myself, even though I meant to, but in the future I'd like to try it if only I knew where to get just the vases. And which big box store was that, the one starting with L or HD?
thanks for the info! and my husband surely will thank you too 🙂
just when i thought i still had to wait to watch things grow. (other than my absurd bay plant that has doubled in size on a window sill)
I had to chuckle at the comparison to growing dandelions and chickweed. Forcing hyacinths must be easy indeed!
Hope your new year is happy and healthy and brings prosperity to you and yours, Carol.
I can almost smell the fragrance of hyacinths. Yes, where do you find the vases? I need to be on the look out and try my hand at forcing hyacinths. Thanks for the information.
All, I saw bulb kits at the local Meijer store, but I realize they are not everywhere. As far as buying more vases, eBay is a good source, though some can be expensive. You might also check flea markets, antique stores, and other places where vases are sold to see if they have them.
Thanks all for the very nice comments. Though there is never enough time to respond to each of them individually, I do read and love each one!
Carol, May Dreams Gardens
I just discovered your blog, and I love it! I'm especially enjoying the photos of the crocus and hyancinths! I'm a native midwesterner…born in Kentucky, from SE Indiana (Decatur Co.), and resided in the NW Chicago suburbs for the last 23 years. Five years ago, I relocated to sunny Florida to retreat from the snow. I love it, but I really miss the crocus, hyacinth, and lilacs! My entire family (aside from my immediate family – husband and two children) resides in Decatur County, IN. Your photos make me feel closer to home!