When to dig up hyacinths after flowering and when to plant them

Hyacinth is a plant with not only a beautiful-sounding name but also a pleasing appearance. It is known throughout the world. In Russia, the flower is often grown on balconies and in gardens. Knowing when to dig up hyacinths after flowering and when to plant them can help ensure vigorous growth and future blooms.

Origin and appearance of hyacinth

Hyacinth (Latin: Hyacinthus) is a type of bulbous plant, meaning it grows from bulbs rather than seeds. This plant is native to Turkey and Palestine. In our region, it is widely grown as a garden plant, blooming vigorously in April and May.

The hyacinth owes its success to the unusual structure and distinctive color of its flowers. The plant reaches a height of 20 to 30 cm. Its leaves are long and narrow, and the flowers are gathered in a racemose inflorescence. Their shape resembles bells. The color of the buds depends on the variety. They can be white or yellow, deep blue or dark purple.

Hyacinth varieties

Like other bulbous plants, hyacinth has several varieties, although not many. Their distinctive features are briefly described below. The most common and well-known variety is the oriental hyacinth, with its well-known blue flowers.

Popular hybrids:

1. The Oriental hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis), a member of the asparagus family, grows in the Mediterranean region and Asia Minor. It's a perennial that has adapted well to our climate. This allows us to enjoy this plant for many years before it's time to plant new seedlings. This is the main variety today in Russia, and in the central part of the country in particular. It typically reaches 30 cm in height. Bell-shaped blue flowers are a characteristic feature of this species.
2. Dutch hyacinth. There are several varieties, extremely popular in the Netherlands. They are renowned for their exceptionally beautiful flowers. Each variety has a characteristic, charming name, such as White Pearl (with white flowers) or City of Haarlem (with yellow flowers). Among the Dutch varieties, there are blue hyacinths, but pink, white, and red ones are also common.
3. Miniature hyacinth is a variety whose shoots grow to only 10 cm. It is also an interesting ornamental plant, although not as popular as the classic varieties.
4. Roman Hyacinth. Like the miniature variety, it doesn't reach impressive height. Plants up to 15 cm tall are characterized by widely spaced flowers.

Hyacinth varieties don't differ much, except, of course, in flower bud color. They have similar growing and care requirements. There are some differences in cultivation between garden and potted hyacinths.

Depending on the shape in which hyacinths will decorate your home or apartment, you'll need to choose a specific approach to the plants. The timing of planting and digging up hyacinths after flowering varies. Both must be done at the designated times.

Growing and caring for garden hyacinth: when to plant and how to water?

Finding a sunny spot in the garden for growing hyacinths is likely easy. They will also bloom in the shade, but not as profusely. Finding a wind-protected spot is a bit more challenging, as wind doesn't favor tall, wind-sensitive shoots.

When it comes to aesthetics, hyacinths look great in any setting. They are eye-catching both in flower beds and decorative pots. They look beautiful alongside other bulbous plants, as well as seasonal flowers. They also complement green shrubs beautifully.

Without knowing when to dig up hyacinths after flowering and when to plant them, it's impossible to achieve beautiful and harmoniously growing specimens. Before planting the bulb, make sure the soil is weed-free. Choose fertile, permeable, and aerated soil with a neutral pH.

Don't decide for yourself when to dig up hyacinths after flowering and when to plant them. It's better to follow established guidelines. The bulbs are planted in September or October, and, like potted hyacinths, they need regular watering. It's also a good idea to fertilize flowering plants with nitrogen fertilizers in the early stages of growth. There's no need to use additional fertilizers later. You can occasionally use a complex fertilizer.

Unsure when to dig up hyacinths after flowering and when to plant them, gardeners make mistakes in growing them. With proper care, they will delight you with beautiful blooms in the spring, in April and May. Then the flowers will gradually fade, and from then on, the task becomes supplying them with moisture.

The shoots should be watered occasionally, every few weeks, to allow the soil to dry out. In late June and July, it's best to dig up the bulb, carefully dry it, and then store it in a cool, dry place. It's also important that the place be permeable to fresh air. This will ensure good flower development the following year.

Some gardeners prefer to leave the bulbs in the ground, and this method is also suitable. Hyacinths can bloom in one location for up to four years. After this time, you'll notice their blooms becoming less profuse.

Diseases

What diseases are hyacinths susceptible to? Flower bulbs are, of course, the most vulnerable, especially when we need to preserve them in suitable conditions over the winter until the next growing season.

The greatest threats to hyacinths are:

1. Penicillium wilt is a type of fungal disease that affects bulbs stored in high-humidity areas. It is characterized by a bluish, dusty coating on the bulb's surface. The fungus spreads very quickly, and infected bulbs must be burned.
2. Gray mold, which usually starts on the side of the bulb. As the name suggests, the symptom is a gray, dusty spot. This disease can be prevented by treating the hyacinths with a suitable product, available at the store.
3. Soft bacterial rot is characterized by small brown spots that quickly enlarge. It causes the bulbs to rot. The condition is accompanied by a very unpleasant odor. Infected bulbs should be discarded, and the remaining bulbs should be treated with chemicals before planting.

Planting and propagation

Hyacinths aren't easy to propagate. It's a well-known fact that every gardener wants to grow the perfect plant from the start. So what should you do with hyacinths? Although growing hyacinths is easy, there comes a time when you need to produce subsequent generations of plants. To do this, the bulbs must be pruned before planting.

When the first shoots appear after planting, it's a sign the operation was successful. However, it will take about six years to see the first flowers. Such a long wait is undesirable for gardeners. Moreover, there's no guarantee the grown bulbs will produce profuse blooms.

Finally, it's worth mentioning an additional method for growing hyacinths called forcing. This allows the plants to bloom much earlier, in early January. To do this, plant the bulbs in pots in late September or early October. Then, for about two months, place the bulbs under a layer of sand in a room with a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius. When they begin to bloom, cover them with a paper cone.

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A plant with beautiful flowers will appear in our home around New Year's. After flowering, the hyacinth should be cleared of dried flowers and leaves. It's also important to dig the bulb out of the pot and plant it in the garden in September. Keep in mind that forcing the bulbs can only be done once.