this winter I forced so many hyacinth bulbs that I had to corrall them into wooden crates to keep a bit of order.
The two crates above are out of the way, resting on top of chairs, below dining room windows
More have circled around the table's centerpiece made from a recycled succulent wreath that had hung on the back gate this past summer
One got trapped in this antique terrarium
yet others jumped up on a fireplace mantel,
some climbing into bookcases,
and even gathering in the front entrance hall
some are on coffee tables
and others have seeked the protection of this deer
not all have made it into water yet
in past years they hung out in my kitchen windows. this is my west facing window
and this is my south facing window. this is a good way to see the various styles of forcing vases with most of these dating in the range of 1880 to 1940. this link is the best for hyacinth vase history, styles and collecting advice. All of my vases came from Salvation Army, tag sales and flea markets.
I usually start at the beginning of November with some bags of hyacinth bulbs picked up from BJ's Wholesale or some other discount store. This year I ordered from Dutch Gardens and was surprised at the excellent quality and color choice so I'll be back this fall. I fill the vases with water to just below where the bulbs rest. If the bulb sits in water, it will rot. this link from Old House Gardens has details about forcing but I throw it all to the wind and never had any problems.
I then place the vases inside this 1790s beehive oven for about six weeks of complete darkness. they can also be placed in closets or just covered with a sheet or towel. You want to wait until the vase is full of roots and the top of the bulb has about an inch of growth before bringing them out into light
I've probably been doing this for close to thirty years and never get tired of the small amount of work it takes to bring several months of pleasure in the dead of winter. Just wait until they are all blooming and fill the house with their intoxicating perfume. This spring, I will permanently plant the bulbs outside as they can not be forced inside again. It is interesting that they convert back to a wild form.
I am also forcing six amaryllis bulbs which I have had for years. When the danger of frost is over, I plant the amaryllis in my vegetable garden. In the fall, I dig them up and cut the tops off and let them dry out a couple of months. The ones below I just placed back in vases this past weekend and one is already sending a bloom up.
I bought this bulb last fall
I have more bulbs of various types that I plant in pots to bring in from the barn for forcing this winter. (I believe these are minature tulips)
My name is Missy's Brother and I am a bulb-forcing addict