Sunday, February 15, 2015

GBBD in February


     
          
          Hyacinths are in bloom on my windowsill in mid-February. Since autumn I put them in a cold area for 6 weeks, then in a cool place. In late January hyacinths gave roots in water and then their buds started growing. Actually, I wanted them to bloom for my birthday in January, but apparently the cooling time was short and flowering occurred in February.






It seemed to me that I took the white hyacinths for forcing in water, but they began to blossom pink flowers. Well, pink hyacinths are beautiful with white poinsettia!
Other hyacinth bulbs I planted in pot after 6 weeks cooling time. They are still small, but blue flowers have appeared. Apparently they will be in full bloom at the end of February.



 



Since autumn except hyacinths I had put for cooling muscari, crocuses and tulips, later I planted them in the soil. Crocuses likely won't bloom at all. Tulips are still opening their leaves. Muscari began to bloom, one blue flower has appeared! This was my first experience, probably I did something wrong. Maybe these bulbs need longer or shorter cooling time? 



 The orchids beautifully bloom second month though the days are cloudy and the sun is not enough. White orchids bloom the third year the red one which is a gift opened all the buds and is very pretty.








What is your experience in forcing hyacinths, crocuses, tulips, muscari?
Which way do you like more - in the water or in the soil?



45 comments:

  1. I have only forced paperwhite narcissus. The others you mention I have never tried, though I keep meaning to force some hyacinths.

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    1. I liked forcing, Jason. But I learned I have to choose mature bulbs.

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  2. Growing hyacinths in water reminds me of school. The blue one is growing more like a grape hyacinth (muscari) I wonder whether the seller mixed then up,

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    1. I've never grown hyacinths in school, only onion Sue. Actually it's very similar but hyacinths need cooling time.

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  3. Forcing hyacinths I do the same way as you do, but I usually put them for more than 6 weeks in the dark, cold basement, some are in bloom now like yours, Crocuses I do in the same way, in a smal crocusglass, dark and cold. I had only three and they have already gone. You also can put them in the soil and keep them in a light, unheated room, they are coming into flower later. I have tulips and muscari in pots in the unheated greenhouse, they will flower at about the same time as the tulips in the garden. Muscari I have in pots in my conservatory and they are at there best now.
    I just learned it by trial and tribulation.

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    1. Thank you Janneke that you told me your experience in forcing especially crocuses. Next autumn I will put them in unheated room and hope to see their blooming.

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  4. Hello Nadezda!!My favorite Spring flowers are Hyacinths !!
    I adore them!!My crocusses are growing to get ready to bloom!!
    Waiting for them!We had this year a bad Winter!
    Wonderful pictures!Have a lovely week!
    Dimi...

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    1. I do love hyacinths as well Dimi, their scent is very special.

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  5. They must be very nice to have around in the coldest part of winter. Here today it is very sunny, but -25 degrees! As suppose you get days just as cold as this.

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    1. Yes, we do Alain. Today is -6 C. And blooming flowers are a treat at home.

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  6. I have not forced any of these but would love to next year as with all the snow and 30 below wind chills, I need a bit of spring color. Beautiful flowers Nadezda!

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  7. Hyacinths are gorgeous. I love their heady perfume.

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  8. Good effort Nadezda, I have no advice to offer other than to persevere. At least you'll have fun experimenting :)

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  9. How wonderful to have spring blooming indoors for you. Happy belated Birthday!

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  10. Beautiful blooms, Nadezda! I have forced bulbs. I usually plant in pots of soil in fall and leave the pots outside until I want growth to start and then bring the pots indoors. In the north, the pots might need the protection of an enclosed porch, cold frame or garage so that they get cold but not totally frozen.

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    1. Oh, yes. if I would try to store bulbs in a pot they died in winter. So I put bulbs in corridor where the temps were low, 6-10 C.

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  11. Dear Nadezda..

    Your flowers are all lovely. . I can smell your hyacinths from here..I also planted spring bulbs here in tropics and it is my first time ever. I planted them in soil. They surprisingly bloom. But I got some of the hyacinth bulbs rot.
    I am pleased to see your orchids,Nadezda. What an amazing colaboration with the spring flowers...

    I wish you a great time and gappy belated birth day to you.. It is really nice to see your February GBBD. :)

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    1. I had some rotten bulbs as well in my first year of forcing, Yang Saya Suka. I suppose it happens of wet area around them. This year I monitored every week and they were dry and cool.
      Glad you liked my orchids, it's my pride.

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  12. What lovely pink hyacinths! I haven't had much luck with forcing bulbs indoors, and this year I didn't try any other than my amaryllises. I wish now I had thought to buy some hyacinth bulbs last fall--I already have the vases stored somewhere. A belated Happy Birthday!

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    1. I hope you'll have luck with forcing bulbs next year. Thank you Rose.

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  13. I really love those orchids!! They're so beautiful!!

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  14. PRECIOSOS... Que belleza de colores!!
    Buena semana Nadezda.
    Un beso.

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  15. Nadezda, how nice to see the spring flowers ! I look forward to the coming of spring !
    Greetings

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  16. Hi Nadezda, I have not grown hyacinths and crocuses indoors, only hippeastrums, which I have right now, just waiting for them to bloom. But I have them in the garden and the hyacinths in my garden are just a week or two away from flowering. The scent is so lovely!
    Your dark pink orchid is gorgeous, such a pretty colour. Happy GBBD!

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    1. Oh, I love this dark pink one very much Helene!

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  17. Gracias Nadezda.Paco fue un gran amigo y un buen hombre.
    Un beso

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  18. Hello Nadezda girl !
    What gorgeous blooms you have to enjoy while winter is still sitting there .. we have been setting records here for severe cold .. it was -28 this morning .. a record broken from 1947 !
    Thankfully we have good snow cover in the gardens so that is a relief !
    You asked about the white lavender .. it is hardy at zone 5 to 9 ... but I make sure it has excellent drainage and absolutely as much sun as possible .. soil is more sandy (making drainage better too!)
    This really goes for all lavenders .. I am hoping this cultivar in particular is hardier being an "Ellagance"
    They are supposed to be blooming machines and stronger .. I just ran across another one I am interested in called "Mini Blue" from Kieft .. BIG sigh ! .. I have to stop collecting soon ! LOL
    Love seeing your beautiful blooms girl .. I can almost smell them !
    Joy : )

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    1. Thanks for your advice, Joy. I do really want to grow lavender and will try this specie. I have a spot of good drainage in my garden..

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  19. Nadezda,
    your flowers are very beautiful. You can not complain.
    Yet every plant of you very happy.
    I also planted hyacinths. I had worse results.
    Flowers hyacinths were 5 cm in height. Fast overblown.
    This year, I'm not going to experiment.
    Buy ready seedlings.
    Happy weekend.
    Lucia

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    1. It's pity Lucja you hadn't success. I hadn't success with crocus as well.
      Have a nice weekend!

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  20. Dear Nadezda,
    I have to say that we have never forced bulbs. We never had the room in our little apartment but now we are in Melbourne so who knows we might try it. I will let you know how we go if we do.
    Your hyacinths are beautiful.
    Bye for now,
    Kirk

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    1. Dear Kirk,
      glad you're with us blogging as well. Hope you'll be able to have you own small garden in Melbourne.
      Thank you!

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  21. I have no experience at all forcing bulbs indoors. But what a wonderful idea. Next year, if I remember, I must do it.

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    1. Great, Friko! It would be wonderful to see your forced hyacinths next spring.

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  22. Hyacinths are one of my favourite spring bulbs; their scent is irresistible and intoxicating. But I prefer to have them in the garden. I kind of feel sorry for forced bulbs as they are out of their natural environment and have a very little hope for the future.

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    1. Tistou,
      do not feel sorry for hyacinth bulbs:after forcing I dry them at home and later in my garden until September. Then I plant them with other dried bulbs and the next year ex-forced bulbs bloom perfectly in my beds. I never throw them away.

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