Sweetish-flowery and with colorful petals – this is how the hyacinth, which belongs to the asparagus family, presents itself. The well-known and widespread variety of the plant, Hyacinthus orientalis, is available in many subspecies that differ in flower color and growth height. The hyacinth impresses with different shades of color, ranging from white to yellow to pink, red and blue. The up to 15 cm long flower clusters are densely covered with slightly bent bell-shaped flowers. The easy-care plant can easily be cultivated by beginners.
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site and soil conditions
The hyacinth feels particularly comfortable in the garden, which is a very good location. The plant also thrives on the balcony. If no outdoor space is available, you can alternatively choose a cool place in the apartment and cultivate the hyacinth as a houseplant. Within the apartment, the plant feels at home in several places; both partially shaded and rather cool areas are suitable for growing the hyacinths as well as the sunny and bright place on the windowsill.
The plant even feels at home in the heated living room. However, the hyacinth then tends to fade faster. Hyacinths thrive best in nutritious, humus-rich and well-drained soil of sandy consistency with drainage. Conventional garden soil, which is permeable and does not allow waterlogging, is usually completely sufficient. In the area of the roots, the soil should always be slightly moist, but waterlogging must be avoided. In summer, the hyacinth feels particularly comfortable in a dry location.
Site and soil conditions at a glance:
- thrives in the garden, on the balcony or in the apartment
- Cultivation possible both within partially shaded cool areas and in sunny places
- nutritious, sandy and air-permeable soil is particularly suitable
Watering, fertilizing and overwintering the hyacinths
Hyacinths must never dry out, which is why regular watering is necessary. The soil must be kept moist so that the roots can develop optimally. However, under no circumstances should waterlogging occur, so that the amount of water should be dosed well. Waterlogging can be recognized by small puddles of water in the translator. Before the next watering, you have to make sure that the top layers of soil have dried again.
Hyacinths do not need to be fertilized if the plant is repotted annually. Otherwise, compost is used as fertilizer in the fall; a liquid fertilizer is used for sprouting. Blue grain dissolved in water is particularly suitable for this. For the fertilizer 50g per square meter are estimated. In addition, you should not use animal manure.
Overwintering the hyacinth is very easy for indoor plants, so that it can also be carried out by laypeople without any problems. For this purpose, the water supply is gradually reduced after the flowering period. The plant is then placed in a darkened room; now no maintenance is needed. A cold treatment is then carried out in October. After repotting, keep the hyacinth moist for three weeks and then put it in the fridge for three weeks until the flowers bloom again. Overwintering hyacinths that bloom in the garden is even easier. Since the plants are hardy, they simply remain in the ground.
pests
One of the most important pests of hyacinth is the vole. When infested with such a pest, the bulb is planted in the ground in a pot or basket. The plant can also be attacked by various diseases. An infestation with sooty mold, the skin or ring disease is possible. If the plant is infected, the growth will be destroyed. The soil can be changed to combat it. Additionally, it has been found helpful not to remove the bulbs from the soil until after the leaves have completely withered.
grooming and cutting
Hyacinths are fairly easy to care for in the garden and thrive in a sunny location where they receive regular watering. Kept as a houseplant, the plant needs a little more attention. Before flowering, the plant should have survived at least one cold spell. It has therefore proven to be particularly beneficial to place the plant in the refrigerator and leave it there for up to two weeks. However, since hyacinths are poisonous, they must not come into contact with other foods. Hyacinths should be cut from time to time; when the fragrant plant has faded, separate the flower with a sharp knife. Leave the leaves and stalk to avoid weakening the onion. These will be cut off at a later date; when the stems and leaves gradually turn yellowish, you can also separate these parts of the plant. This ensures that the onion also receives sufficient nutrients until the pruning is due.
Propagation and rearing of hyacinths in glass
Hyacinths are excellent for cultivation without substrate; this allows the onions to float easily in a jar. For cultivation, high-quality plant bulbs should be purchased from nurseries. If the plants are to flower earlier than usual, appropriately prepared bulbs can be used, which are also commercially available. Onions that have been pre-treated with the help of cold are particularly suitable for cultivation in glass. The bulbs are usually sold in the fall and should be cultivated before the winter months. Large flower bulbs are particularly suitable for growing plants in glass.
Special planters are available for this purpose. However, you can also use conventional glass vessels; you just have to make sure that the container offers enough space for the roots without the entire bulb going under. The planter should therefore have a specific shape: similar to an hourglass, the planter must have a narrower space in the middle. In this way, the onion can be optimally caught. The container is filled with water; then the onion is placed on top of the glass. When constructing it, you have to make sure that the water does not wet the onion. In this way, overwetting of the root, which can lead to rotting processes, is avoided. The water filled in should be about lukewarm and changed weekly. Alternatively, you can add a piece of activated charcoal to the water; then there is no water exchange. The roots can then grow out of the bottom of the bulb and into the water.
Stored at room temperature, it takes almost a week for the first root tips to form. Growing in the glass works particularly well if you then store the planter in a cool place that is around 10°C and relatively dark. A place in the garage is ideal. You have to watch the plant again and again; when the first buds can be seen, the hyacinth can change location; a sunny place on the window sill, for example, is now suitable. After flowering, which occurs in spring, the bulbs are transplanted outdoors.
Toxicity of hyacinths
Hyacinths contain different plant substances that are slightly toxic in the mix. These include, for example, calcium oxalate, which is also contained in rhubarb, as well as salicylic acid and saponins. Skin contact can cause skin damage such as redness, inflammation and irritation. That’s why you should wear gloves when working in the garden. The onion in particular should only be touched with gloved hands, as these release the irritating active ingredients even with a light touch and quickly cause an allergic skin reaction. If there has been contact with the skin, antiallergic ointments will help.
However, the above-ground parts only release their poison when eaten. Cats, dogs, rodents such as rabbits and hares, and horses should be kept away from the plant; consumption has an irritating effect on the mucous membranes. As a result, symptoms such as increased salivation, difficulty swallowing, nausea and vomiting occur. According to the literature, drinking plenty of liquid and charcoal helps after consumption. Nevertheless, in the event of a poison accident, you should first notify the poison emergency call center before you take any unauthorized action.
History – the hyacinth in Greek legend
The name “hyacinth” comes from the Greek legend; According to a well-known story, the handsome youth Hakinthos was taught how to throw a discus by the Greek sun god Apollo. The wind god Zephyros became very jealous and killed the youth. As the legend goes, Apollo allowed a hyacinth to thrive from the young woman’s blood, through which he is said to be resurrected every year. This is how the hyacinths came about.
Use of hyacinths
Hyacinth is no longer used medicinally. In earlier times, the plant was used for jaundice and also for bruises. The onion was also applied as a plaster to prevent hair from growing. Today the hyacinth is mainly kept as a decorative plant either in the garden or in the home. The essential oil of the plant is used for relaxing baths or in body oil. Filled into the aroma lamp, the essential oil exudes a relaxing and calming scent.
