How to hydroponically cultivate hyacinth

Preparation

Bulb selection

Hyacinth bulbs are a must-have. You can buy them and plant them right away. Choose healthy bulbs with undamaged skin. Because the bulbs of hyacinths look very similar to purple onions, if you buy vegetables frequently, you can choose the bulbs the same way you choose onions!

Equipment preparation

Glass containers for hydroponic hyacinths, professional hydroponic containers with hydroponic baskets.

Pots, water, and carbendazim are used for disinfection before planting.

Environmental requirements

Hyacinth bulbs are usually planted in October. The indoor temperature is around 15℃, with a certain humidity and controllable light. In addition, the water temperature of hydroponic hyacinth should be equivalent to room temperature, not too cold or too hot.

Hydroponics methods and precautions

Root washing and root pruning

After buying the bulbs, there will be a purple protective layer on the surface, or even a small amount of soil. We need to clean it up to avoid affecting the water quality of the hydroponics. First rinse the bulbs under slow running water, then peel off the purple skin until the white part is exposed.

In addition, the roots also need to be cleaned. Before the bulbs are delivered to you, they must have traveled across the ocean, and there is no telling how much mold they have on them (of course you can't see it), so the old roots at the bottom must be cut off as well. The old roots are usually black and look dirty, while the new roots grown through hydroponics are beautiful white.

Disinfection and sterilization

Hyacinth bulbs are not completely clean after washing and need to be disinfected. Dilute the prepared carbendazim with water and soak the bulbs for 15 to 20 minutes. Take them out and dry them with a paper towel. Place them in a cool place to dry naturally. They can be planted after one day.

Placing the bulbs

To grow hyacinths hydroponically, you just need to place the bulbs in a container. Generally, the bulbs should be 2 to 5 mm away from the water surface. The amount of water should not be too much. Before taking root, make sure the roots have enough space to grow and breathe.

For hydroponics, you can choose a glass water cup with a similar diameter. Of course, a container with a hydroponic basket is best.

Precautions

Water change: Use clean water to maintain hyacinth, and change the water once a week. If using nutrient solution, change it every 10 to 15 days. The specific time depends on the cleanliness of the water in the container.

Disinfection: During the hydroponic process, it is strictly forbidden to fill up the water. After two months of care, place the hyacinth in a wide-mouthed glass bottle and add a small amount of charcoal to help disinfect and prevent rot.

Maintenance methods

Shade during rooting period

Many flower lovers are troubled by the rooting of hyacinths, that’s because your method is wrong. Newly planted hyacinths must be shaded. You can place the entire container in a dark place, or use opaque plastic bags or newspapers to cover the part below the roots. The shade should be on for 15 to 20 days, and the water should be changed every 5 days. Shading can accelerate rooting. When you see many small white roots emerging from the roots, the shading is over.

Sunbathing during the leaf growth period

After the roots have grown, the next step is to grow leaves, which requires sufficient sunlight. It is autumn and winter, and the sunlight is not very strong. Place the container in a sunny place near the window to make up for the lack of sunlight.

During the leaf growth period, the white roots of hyacinth are already very lush. Be careful not to damage the roots every time you change the water. Every time you change the water, just lift the bulbs gently and let the water flow in or out from the gaps.

Supplementary lighting during the growth and flowering period

It takes 50 to 60 days for hyacinth to bloom from planting, and in order to bloom beautiful flowers, sufficient nutrients are essential. One of the direct sources of nutrients is sunlight. After the hyacinth grows flower buds, the temperature should be increased appropriately to ensure that the temperature is between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius to promote the growth of flower buds.

After the hyacinth flower stalks grow tall and bloom, reduce the amount of light they receive. A small amount of diffuse light can extend the flowering period.

Continue to grow after the flowering period

Did you buy a pot of hydroponic hyacinth just to enjoy the flowers? What should you do after the flowers wither? Can I continue? In reality, most flower lovers will choose to throw away the bulbs and buy new ones next year. However, flower lovers who like to tinker and are frugal will save the bulbs and continue planting next year!

After the hyacinth flowers wither, continue to grow them in water until the temperature rises in June and the leaves gradually turn yellow. At this time, cut off all the leaves of the hyacinth and all the roots. Place the bulbs in a cool and ventilated place to dry (never expose them to the sun), then wrap them in newspaper and place them in a cool and ventilated place with a temperature not exceeding 10°C (placing them in the refrigerator's cold storage is also a good choice). In October and November, when the weather gets cooler, you can replant.