The Effects of Bulb Size on Hyacinth Blooming

Bulb Size

• Bulbs of hyacinths, like those of tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering plants already contain embryonic flowers when they are purchased. Larger, more mature bulbs mean larger embryonic plants, which will remain consistently larger as they grow and eventually flower. Bulbs also contain stored nutrients for the plants, so a larger bulb encloses a greater amount of nutrients. Bulbs should be both large and firm to the touch. Firmness is an indication that the bulb has been properly stored. Even large bulbs that do not feel firm may not flower.

Differences

• Dutch growers and others who raise hyacinths grade them according to size and generally price them accordingly, making larger bulbs more expensive. In home gardens, where gardeners want lots of visual impact from relatively few plants, large bulbs (and therefore large flowers) are the best investment. However, in larger landscape situations where hundreds of hyacinth bulbs are planted to create swathes of color, smaller bulbs/plants may be an acceptable and cost-saving alternative. Smaller bulbs are sometimes called "landscaping size" by vendors.

Long Term

• A large, healthy hyacinth bulb contains everything the plant needs for flowering the first year. The gardener adds only a growing medium and chilling time, which occurs naturally in climates where the bulb is hardy, or artificially through refrigeration elsewhere. After the first year, bulbs need to store nutrients in order to produce flowers in the second year. Gardeners can assist the process by letting leaves remain on the plants until the leaves begin to wither. Fertilize in the fall with commercial bulb food, or well-aged compost or manure. Work the fertilizer into the soil around the bulbs.

Considerations

• Keep hyacinth bulbs or plants away from children or pets. All parts of the plant can cause stomach problems if ingested. Large mature bulbs are especially important in container gardening situations where it is essential to achieve maximum visual impact from a minimum number of bulbs. Whether they are grown in containers or in-ground, even the largest bulbs may bear fewer flowers per flowerhead in the second and third years. The color will be just as intense, but the look of the plant will be somewhat looser and more relaxed.