Hyacinth is a beautiful coloured flower popular in many countries and homes. It is a sign of spring and engulfs us through its amazing fragrance. You can bring this great aroma and beauty to your garden too. But there are steps you must follow for the hyacinths to bloom. It may take a lot of effort because to get this beauty, hard work is necessary, and you have to earn it.
The scientific name of the hyacinth is Hyacinthus orientalis. These flowers are in the shape of a tube and were introduced in Europe in the sixteenth century. The plant’s popularity stirred the Dutch bulb growers to grow 2000 cultivars. Today you can choose from among sixty breeds of hyacinth that are sold commercially. Many breeds are easy to grow too, and you can grow them in your garden.
They can grow outdoors in pots or on the ground and indoors, they can grow in bulb vases filled with water. You have to know many things about growing and caring for hyacinth, so here is a guide for you.
How to care for Hyacinth?
If you want your hyacinths to have a great scent, you must grow them in groups. They can also mix well with spring-blooming bulbs, and the different colours and sizes complement each other. The spiky flower stalks of the bloom will look beautiful with tulips and ruffled daffodils too.
Many types of hyacinths are large. When growing them in the garden, you have to plant the hyacinth bulbs for the fall season to eight weeks before the frost arrives. You should keep its root end about four to six inches deep in the soil. Plus, give them room to spread out, so leave space about three to six inches. Now cover the sapling with soil and water them.
Here know about the important factors the plant needs to grow. You have to know that the taller types of hyacinths can flop. So you have to use a stake for them to have support while growing. Or you can also plant these types together so they can get the required support from each other.
1. Ample amount of light
Hyacinths will thrive well in the sunlight and partial shade. So you have to offer these plants up to six to eight hours of sunlight daily. When growing spring bulbs, the flower will bloom and start to fade before the trees left. So if the plants get shade from the trees, don’t discourage them.
2. Proper soil mix
There is no particular quantity on the soil mix for hyacinths. But they need acidic to neutral soil. They also grow well in soil that is loose and well-drained. They don’t like watery soil. If the soil is rich, it will result in floppy stalks, so little amounts of organic matter are good. So use less of the organic matter when you are making a soil mix.
3. Water it at the right time
You have to water the ground properly after you plant the bulbs. Now continue to water until the wintertime if there is no rainfall. But you have to leave time for the soil to get dry. If the bulbs grow in wet, cool soil, they will start to rot. So before watering, you have to check the soil by sticking your finger on it. If it is very wet, delay watering and water it after it is dry. It all depends on how well the soil dries in your climate. So you have to check the soil and the hyacinths in that water.
4. Right humidity and temperature
The hyacinths can survive the winter, but they may need some protection. Plus, in the warmer zones, they require some pre-chilling. It all depends on the variety of the flower. If you live in zones where temperatures are above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, you have to take the bulbs and chill them in a dark place for six to ten weeks. Then you can replant it.
5. Add fertilizers
You have to feed the new bulbs fertilizer so they can grow well. Many fertilizers are available for hyacinths, but the recommended one is the ordinary bone meal. You can feed them a handful of this when you are planting the flower and again in the spring. This is the time when the new growth will happen. You must follow the product label to know how much fertilizer to use.
Also read: How To Grow A Garden On Your Balcony
What are the types of hyacinths?
Modern hyacinths are available in many colours. Some of its types are –
Hollyhock: It is a dark reddish-pink double-bloom type of hyacinth.
Pink Pearl: These are the fuchsia petals with pink edges.
Woodstock: It has deep plum metals.
Blue jacket: It has a denser bloom structure with deep blue and purple flowers.
Top White: This has bright white florets, which look like the shape of a star.
What are the pests and hyacinth diseases to steer clear of?
The rodents love to munch on the hyacinths if they get the chance. They will instantly ruin the flower beds. So you have to protect the flowers from them. You can protect the flowers by putting some gravel in the potting hole. Plus, you can also try commercial rodent deterrents. Another way is to plant daffodils because rodents don’t like them.
When talking about diseases, the hyacinths get affected by only a few. The bulbs can rot when planted in dense soil, so you have to leave a way for the water to drain. One common problem with the hyacinth is that it can get spotted foliage. It may not affect the flower stalks, but the disfigurement can ruin the beauty of the flower.
Another problem is the broken-hearted petals because of the mosaic virus. The infected plants have to be dug up and discarded. Using any tools can also spread the disease, so you have to sterilize the tools after using them.
Conclusion
Hyacinth is one of the beautiful flowers of nature. It will give a fresh fragrance to your home and lawn. You can make your home a paradise with it.
Also read: Birth Flowers That Define Your Consequent Personality Traits
