Hyacinths - planting and caring for a potted flower at home

Hyacinth is a perennial plant with fragrant and exceptionally beautiful flowers. Its name translates from Latin as "rain flower," referring to the fact that this species begins to produce buds after the first spring rains. In our climate zone, it is planted in flowerbeds and in pots indoors. Hyacinths have a bulb that requires planting and care in order to grow and propagate the plant at home.

There's no quick way to propagate this plant at home; it requires patience and several years of waiting. Naturally, there's a wide variety of this species, making it a great addition to any home, garden, or workspace.

Characteristics of hyacinth and species diversity

This plant is native to the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, where it grows wild and has many varieties, varying in flower color and texture. The common hyacinth belongs to the Asparagus family and is a bulbous species.

The characteristic features of this species are as follows:

• the height of the plant is 20-60 cm;
• the presence of a cone-shaped bulb from which babies can sprout for reproduction;
• the leaves grow slightly above the root system and have an elongated, narrowed shape;
• the foliage is juicy and emerald-colored;
• the length of the leaves is 15-20 cm;
• each hyacinth grows from 2 to 8 leaves;
• one dense tubular stem, also known as a peduncle, of a green hue;
• the presence of a spike-shaped inflorescence;
• the shape of the flowers resembles a small lily, a bell;
• small flowers are collected in a brush;
• uniseriate stamens of flowers;
• fruits in the form of three-celled capsules, in which 2 seeds ripen;

  

• sweet pleasant aroma during flowering;
• various shades of colors: pink, purple, white, blue, and even black.

Previously, experts identified more than 30 species of hyacinth, but today, only three are recognized, with the remaining plant varieties classified as cultivars. The main species are:

1. The oriental variety is the most widespread, and is the source of ornamental varieties. It is characterized by a slender peduncle (15-23 cm) with widely spaced flowers and a persistent, pleasant fragrance. The color range is extremely diverse thanks to crossbreeding. It is native to Greece and Asia. The flowering period lasts several weeks.

   

2. Hyacinth Litvinovii has strongly spreading and fairly wide foliage, as well as light blue, purple, pink, and sometimes green flowers with dissected stamens. It reaches a height of 25 cm, but dwarf varieties are also available. It is native to Iran and Turkmenistan.

   

3. The Transcaspian is a mountain representative of its species, with multiple stems and blue flowers. It grows up to 20 cm, with fleshy leaves of equal thickness throughout. A single inflorescence contains 4-10 bells. It can be found in the wild in the Kopetdag Mountains.

   

Hyacinths are widely available on store shelves, especially during their flowering season, which occurs in early spring. Hyacinth varieties are often classified by color, with black hyacinths and double varieties being singled out.

This ornamental plant can be grown in open ground, in a pot on a windowsill, or in greenhouses and hothouses.

Caring for a potted hyacinth at home

Since this flower is, first of all, a garden species, then for growing it indoors you should take good care of it, recreating the natural habitat.

Lighting

Hyacinths thrive in full sun and require 12-15 hours of daylight to thrive. A south-facing windowsill is ideal. If this isn't available, using a grow light would be a good idea. It's recommended to rotate the container occasionally to ensure even growth and prevent stretching toward the light.

Temperature and humidity

During the active growing season, a temperature of 20-22 degrees Celsius is ideal. In summer, it's best to place it on an open terrace or well-ventilated balcony to maximize its natural growing conditions. The plant doesn't respond well to temperature fluctuations or drafts, and the presence of heating devices near it is highly discouraged.

Despite the nickname "rain flower," hyacinths do not require additional misting or humidification. If excess moisture gets on the stems and flowers, they begin to fall off and deteriorate, which can lead to disease. Spraying the houseplant during its flowering period is strictly prohibited. The most that is allowed is wiping dust from the leaves in extreme cases.

Watering and fertilizing

The plant thrives on moisture, and the soil in the pot should be kept constantly moist, so it should be watered frequently but sparingly. Since liquids should be avoided when spilling on the above-ground parts, it's best to submerge the pot or water only along the rim to avoid damaging the foliage.

Since the potted substrate quickly depletes, it's essential to fertilize the plant regularly throughout its growth phase. During active growth, fertilize twice a month. Various types of fertilizers, including mineral and organic, are acceptable, as are dry and soluble fertilizers.

Before applying fertilizer, be sure to moisten the soil. During the dormant period, hyacinths also require soil or bulb fertilization if they are dormant. Bulbs can also be sprayed with specialized products available at gardening stores.

Diseases and pests

This fragrant and beautiful flower can be susceptible to various diseases or pest attacks. It's important to know the symptoms so you can provide timely assistance to your houseplant:

• Yellow bacterial rot is characterized by the appearance of gray spots on the foliage;
• Symptoms of blossom end rot include root rot and brown furrows on the foliage;
• mosaics are typically characterized by the presence of light green spots of varying shapes on the foliage;
• Gray mold appears on bulbs as gray spots that quickly turn brown and lead to the death of the plant;

  

• Among the pests that can attack hyacinth are thrips, aphids, and nematodes.

To combat the above-mentioned diseases and insects, use specialized products available at specialized gardening stores. Following the instructions on the plant will help save it and allow it to continue growing.

Propagation and planting of hyacinths at home

Since hyacinth is a plant that can be grown in a pot as successfully as in a garden, you should know, How to plant and propagate it at home.

Landing

Pretty simple grow a flower from a bulbThe following algorithm is used:

1. Selecting a medium-sized pot in which to plant one or more bulbs.
2. Buying bulbs in a store or at a market.

   

3. Prepare the soil by mixing the following components in equal parts: leaf soil, turf soil, sand, and humus.
4. Be sure to place a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot and plant the bulb at such a depth that its top remains above the ground.
5. Fill everything with prepared substrate and water.

   

6. Place the container in a plastic bag and tie it, after making several holes in it to allow air to enter.
7. Place the pot in a cool, dark place until sprouts appear.

There is also a way to grow hyacinth in water, without adding soil, but it is not necessary to dissolve mineral fertilizers and monitor its temperature and the condition of the flower.

Reproduction

There are several ways to plant hyacinths. These include:

• seeds;
• shoots;
• cuttings;
• dividing the onion;
• cutting out the bottom.

Propagating a plant using baby plants is very simple: separate them from the mother plant and transplant them into another pot. However, the procedure must be carried out with extreme care so as not to damage the adult plant, otherwise it will die.

The following algorithm is applicable to dormant bulbs that are intended to be propagated:

1. The bottom of the bulb is cut off with a sharp, sterile object.
2. It is placed in a box with the cut side up and the temperature must be maintained at +20.
3. Babies will appear on the cuts of the scales in a few months.
4. After this, the bulb should be planted in a pot with substrate, also upside down, and left in a cool place.
5. With the arrival of spring, the babies will begin to sprout, then they need to be separated and grown separately.

This method can produce more than 10 new flowers at once, but these hyacinths will only bloom after several years.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Although many consider this flower a garden plant, it can be successfully grown indoors, and it will provide its owner with bright colors and a pleasant aroma every spring.