October 2025 Start of the Hyacinth Forcing Season

4-10-2025 When I used all the hyacinth bulbs I had the other day, I was left with a few vases needing bulbs so it was back to the garden centre.

I'm glad I took a photo. I had forgotten what variety the blue hyacinths I had bought were and I hadn't realised they were "prepared". I look forward to seeing results. 

1-10-2025 The start of the hyacinth bulb forcing season. I mail ordered some hyacinth bulbs and bought a few (at the garden centre and supermarket). The last delivery arrived Oct 1st so it's time to start (as always, cats to keep me company): choose which variety for each vase, put the bulb in the top. 

Tall hand-blown cobalt blue (and other jewel-like colours) vases are my favourite so I tend to start with those. I have a spreadsheet of my vases where I note which variety of hyacinth I used in each.

Fill the vase with water to just under the bulb. It's important not to let the bulb sit in water or else it will rot. Then put the vases in a dark place, cool if you have it. I have a cabinet in my garage which I use. Leave for a few weeks, checking every few weeks until the shoots are up with the bulge of the flower (more photos to follow).my final bulb delivery has arrived so time to start the hyacinths

green uranium Tye vase in the middle, Rimac uranium vase on the right

green Mary Gregory vase and a couple Prattware vases

couple terracotta vases, couple Menu vases and a hand-blown purple 19th century vase

some shorter cobalt blue vases and ByzantaWare vases

green Mary Gregory vase and a couple Prattware vases