Planting your Hyacinths for Forcing
The first job is to prepare your indoor bowl or container by filling to the rim with a good quality bulb fibre because often the planters have no drainage holes. We buy ours from Down to Earth in Hexham and it includes oyster shells and charcoal which stops it getting too acidic and keeps it sweet! This type of compost also encourages fast root growth. Make sure this is well watered, since Hyacinths require a moist soil; if they become too dry the flower spike will be stunted.
Bulbs should be planted into the container so that the top quarter is visible above the soil line. The bulbs have a tendency to push themselves out of the compost as they form their roots so you may have to nestle (not ram!) them in again. We cover them with a layer of bun/flat moss which we pin down with florists pins but any bent thin wire will work. Then they need to be placed in a dark place such a cupboard in a cool, but frost free spot (ours is in the dairy) but make sure they do not dry out; we just poke out finger in the compost periodically and if it feels moist leave well alone. Once the bulbs have formed strong roots and green noses (give them a little tug and you’ll feel if they are well rooted) it is time to move the container of hyacinths to a warmer 10 deg location. They should be left like this until the flower is well out of the neck of bulb. The bulbs can then be moved to a sunny position to green up and allowed to flower normally. Ensure that the bulbs receive plenty of moisture. If any flowers stalks are looking top heavy insert a few cut birch branches into the compost to support them.
