indoor hyacinths - what now?

[janeyo]

Somone bought me a pot with hyacinths in for xmas -lovely gift but now they are finishing.

When do I chop them back? How do I store them then? Can I put them outside for next year?

Thanks janeyo

[BarleySugar]

I have always planted the whole lot out in the garden and let the bulbs die back naturally. They have always flowered the next year, maybe not so large though.

[lainey lou]

Not sure what you do with them now but I seem to remember that some people can be sensitive to the bulbs, so handle with care!

[Flummery]

I plant out too. Seems a shame to waste them. Varying results but I had a pot of white ones in our old garden that came year after year just as big and gorgeous as the year I was given them. Free is always worth a go!

[janeyo]

Ok thanks, I will plant them out... they've got 2 chances

janeyo

[Gwen11ian]

Make sure you don't put them directly into semi-frozen ground straight for indoors, harden them off in a cold frame for half a week first. Or else them them die back while in the pot indoors, then let the soil dry out and pull them up and trim both roots and top growth. Store in a paper bag in a cool dry area until fall, then plant out. This is what I did with them last year, and before I planted them I could see just a tip of new growth on them so I'm sure they'll come up this year. We'll have to wait and see about blossoms though!

[janeyo]

Ok thanks, will pop them in the frame as seems easiest for me to remember.

j

[Scottishnewbie]

compost heap or save?

i googled them (as i have some too) and it said to throw them on the compost heap as they won't grow again. I'd rather believe fellow grapes than google - so what say you oh wise ones?

[Flummery]

There are some pink ones in next door's front garden that come year after year from a pot of Christmas bulbs. Give it a go.

[bramble]

I plant mine out and have lots in the garden coming up year after year.

[Nicos]

I planted mine out each year after flowering and they'd flower again for several years - each time smaller- eventually looking rather like bluebells ( pink/blue/white)
A really cold winter saw them off one ear though- don't know if it was the cold or the squirrels eating them!

[sagegreen]

I have always planted the whole lot out in the garden and let the bulbs die back naturally. They have always flowered the next year, maybe not so large though.

Same here, have always planted indoor bulbs outside. Results are usually good - sometimes hyacinths, in particular have a much deeper, better colour.

[Brengirl]

Never ever take advice from folk who have something to gain. Take sell by dates for example.