How to force Hyacinth Bulbs to Flower for Christmas

To force bulbs, you need to mimic the natural conditions of winter and spring to fool the bulbs into flowering. First, it needs to be kept cool and dark, and then brought into light and warmth, like spring weather.

• Begin in late September to mid-October with prepared bulbs for Christmas week blooms.
• Expect roughly eight to ten weeks in cool, dark conditions, then two to three weeks to finish indoors.
• Cooler rooms slow development: warmer rooms speed it. Stagger start dates for a longer display.

To save time, you can buy ‘prepared’ bulbs. This means they have been chilled and are ready to plant up.

If you are preparing your own bulbs, simply place them in a refrigerator drawer for at least five weeks. Keep them away from food produce, and keep checking on them. They are ready when they start to sprout.

Your vase should have a narrow neck that will support the bulb, making sure it doesn’t drop down into the water. If you only have wider vases, you can fill the base with some pebbles to ensure the bulb is supported.

Fill the vase with clean water to the neck and put the bulb in. It should sit snugly just above the water. The roots will grow down to reach it. Don’t let the base of the bulb sit in stagnant water, or it may rot.

First, place the vase in a cool spot away from bright light. This allows the leaves to develop and green up. Then you can move it close to a window in warmer surroundings. Choose a sheltered spot free from temperature fluctuations like draughts or radiators.

If the leaves develop but the flowers don’t, move the pots back to a dark, cool spot for a day or two before bringing them back to the warmth. Remember to top up or replace the water periodically to keep the plant healthy.

• Let the foliage die back naturally in bright light.
• When leaves yellow, plant the bulbs in the garden at twice their depth.
• They may skip a year, but usually settle into normal spring flowering outdoors.

• Leaves but no flower: The cool period was too short, or the room is too warm. Return to cool, dark conditions for a couple of days.
• Bulb rots: Water touched the bulb base or was not refreshed. Lower the level and replace the water.
• Floppy stems: Temperatures are too high, or light is low. Move to a cooler, brighter spot.
• Short spikes: Bulbs matured too quickly. Next time, extend the cool phase by a week.

Wear gloves when handling bulbs, as they may irritate skin. And keep bulbs away from pets and children. Ingestion can cause stomach upset.

Why not try waxed amaryllis bulbs? These specially selected bulbs are covered with a wax coating and can bloom even without water. They’ll begin to grow as soon as you get them home, and you can expect beautiful blooms within about a month. They look fantastic too, as the wax coating often comes in a range of different colours, and some look just like Christmas baubles. Arrange a few in a large bowl or glass vase for a spectacularly unique table centrepiece.

Tip – Place waxed amaryllis in bright light. Rotate every few days for straight stems.