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Bulbs, Tubers, and Roots
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Hyacinth Bulb Water Culture
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Hyacinths are delightfully fragrant late winter / early spring blooming bulbs.
Because these bulbs store so much food, all they really need for blooming
is water. Set in bulb vases, Hyacinths are ideal for growing indoors
to brighten up an office or add color to a kitchen window.
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Step One: CHILLING
Hyacinth bulbs need to be chilled in a refrigerator.
Place bulb(s) in a marked paper bag_make sure the bag is protected from water
droplets_and leave there for eight
weeks. Begin the chilling process any time AFTER October 1st but BEFORE November 1st.
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Step Two: STARTING IN VASES
Once bulb has been chilled for 8 weeks, you are ready to start the
flowering process. Using a specially designed Hyacinth vase, fill with water so it
just barely touches the base of the bulb. We recommend adding some
activated charcoal to the water at the beginning to prevent the growth of algae.
You might want to start several Hyacinths at different intervals for
beautiful, fragrant Hyacinths blooming for several weeks.
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Step Three: DARK STORAGE
The KEY to developing FULL SIZE Hyacinths that bloom for a LONG
TIME is to place the vase and bulb in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place
(such as a garage or basement) for 6 or 7 weeks while the roots
develop. Check the vase from time to time and add more water, if necessary, to maintain
the correct level.
When flower bud comes 3" to 4" out of the neck of the bulb, you will know
that roots have developed sufficiently.
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Step Four: BRINGING VASES OUT OF DARKNESS
Bring the vase into the light_but NOT into direct sunlight for the first 10
days when the bulb turns green and grows
rapidly. After 10 days, vases can be moved into direct sunlight.
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Step Five: AFTER BLOOMING
Most "forced" bulbs (including Hyacinths) do not do well a second
year and should be treated as annuals. So, simply buy new Hyacinth
bulbs next September for water-cultured, spring flowers.
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