Mouldy Hyacinth Bulbs

[Sam2702]

Please would someone be able to tell me what I've done wrong with my hyacinth bulbs? I planted them in wet compost in a tub with no drainage holes (Beechgrove Garden said I could do that) and then wrapped them in a black bin liner and put them in the garage. I checked on them yesterday and they have gone mouldy What did I do wrong and do I have to just throw them away now? Thanks for any advice given.

[Bigmallly]

I know nothing about flowers but the only thing I can find is that the bulbs have to be marked "Prepared". I have no idea what that means apart from maybe treated against mould/rot.

Bulbs for Christmas flowering / Royal Horticultural Society

[veggiechicken]

Do you mean wringing wet or just damp compost? Sounds like they were too wet ............

[veggiechicken]

I know nothing about flowers but the only thing I can find is that the bulbs have to be marked "Prepared". I have no idea what that means apart from maybe treated against mould/rot.

Bulbs for Christmas flowering / Royal Horticultural Society

They're "prepared" so that they come into flower early for Ch****mas rather than their normal time in spring.

[Sam2702]

Mouldy Hyacinths

Please can someone offer me some advice. I've recently planted some hyacinths, trying to get them to flower for Christmas. I put them in a bowl, in wet compost (as it said it said I could on Beechgrove Garden), I then put them in a black bin liner in the garage. I went to check on them yesterday and there is a mould layer on the parts of the bulbs that you can see. What did I do wrong and do I need to throw these away now? Thank you.

[veggiechicken]

Answered at http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...lbs_75446.html

[mothhawk]

If it's just mould and the bulbs are not actually rotting you may be able to rub the mould off gently with a damp cloth. As VC says, likely they are too wet. If water runs through your fingers when you squeeze a handful of compost it is too wet. I presume you are using bulb fibre, not MPC?

Carefully take the bulbs out of the bulb fibre, squeeze out any excess water, and repot, being careful not to damage any roots that have started to grow. If you have nowhere dark and cool to put them without putting them in black plastic, don't cover them too close, leave lots of room for air in the bag.

I prefer to pot hyacinths in JI in a plant pot with holes and a saucer underneath, then I know I won't over-water. Then they go outside in my meter cupboard where it's dark and cold, but airy, till they start to grow.

[zazen999]

Threads merged.

[WendyC]

I watched the Beechgrove programme where they really wetted the bulb fibre. I've never watered them that much but then mine are never ready for Chr-----s either. To keep them dark I put two black plastic flower pots over the top, arranged so the holes aren't lined up and don't let light through. I do feel a bit silly with my face in the flower pot checking for light. Then they are put on the shed floor, where they get kicked at regular intervals which reminds me to check and water if needed.

[Two_Sheds]

I planted them in wet compost ... with no drainage holes ... wrapped them in a black bin liner

They are going to rot if you keep them wet and dark. Are you sure that's what Beechgrove meant you to do?
I force daffs, tulips & hyacinths too, but all I do is put them in compost in a pot, water the pot lightly by sitting it in a gravel tray for a few mins, then pop into the cool dark (my garage).
The bulbs can breathe and the compost isn't wet

[WendyC]

They definitely soaked the compost, just squeezed out the worst. Can't remember where they put them after that but I'm pretty sure they didn't put in a plastic bag. It is a recipe for mould.
I do pretty much the same as you.

[Sam2702]

That's definitely what they said on Beechgrove, they actually squeezed the compost so that water came out!

I will take them up this evening, scrape the mould off and see if they have rotted, if not I'll repot, see if that works, otherwise I'll just have to go and buy some more. Do I still have time to force them for Christmas? I think I might try the idea of putting a plant pot over the top and see if that works. Thanks everyone.

[Sam2702]

From what I remember they did 2 different things, Carol (is that her name) covered with sand and Jim put in a bag!

[veggiechicken]

Was it the latest episode of Beechgrove? Soon to be available on iplayer BBC One - Beechgrove Garden, 2013, Episode 25 I'm curious now

[Sam2702]

Here you go - I found the factsheet but wasn't able to attach the whole thing.

He then put the bulb fibre
into the pots and then
planted the bulbs a
finger’s width apart. The
bulbs should not be
touching and their necks
should be above the bulb
fibre in the pot. Jim also advised to plant only one
variety of bulbs in each pot.
Jim chose to place the planted pots into a black
polythene bag which can be stored in the garage
at a frost-free temperature of 7°C. They have to
be cold for the roots to fill the pots; they should
also be checked frequently and watered if
required. After 8-10 weeks in these conditions,
the forming flower should be through the top of
the neck of the bulb.
Unlike Jim, Carole planted
individual bulbs into
individual pots. This has
an advantage because
once they have been
‘forced’ the best bulb can
be selected and planted
in multiple displays. Carole used normal compost
to plant the bulbs since the pots she used have
drainage holes at the bottom…
Once planted, Carole’s pots were then ‘plunged’
into a sand-lined raised bed outdoors. The bulbs
were then covered with 2-3 inches of leaf mould
and then covered with black polythene to keep the
rain off them.