I just got a hyacinth and after a day the flowering stalks are leaning completely over. What should I do?

Question

I've watered it and put it where it can get the right amount of sun, but the stalks will not stand up!

Answer 1

Hello Sarah -

Hyacinth bulbs grown indoors are pretty much a one-shot wonder; you can plant them in the ground after flowering and hope for the return of the flower next Spring.

Now -- onto your question about the leaning of the flower. This often happens if the flower/plant is exposed to a sudden burst of heat/cold - we call it 'blasting' and it can cause the flower and its stem to prematurely grow (or not grow) and flower. It may be too late in the game for my suggestion; however, I found a very simple old-fashioned remedy for this -- take an empty toilet paper (or cut a paper towel cardboard roll in half) and place the entire leaves/flower stalk, etc into the roll so that the entire plant is "housed" inside the roll. Water it as regular, etc but leave the plant inside the roll for 2-3 days. What happens is the light (at the end of the roll) will draw and strenghten the flower to draw up towards the light - the plant and flower stalk will enlarge (to reach the light) and then you can remove the cardboard rolling and enjoy the plant.

Ive never seen my technique really documented before - but, in the very old days, people would make a cone of paper with a light at the end of it - or, use one of those old 'snow-cone' type cups and cut the top of it out -- again, so the plant/flower are drawn upwards to the light. Following my advice (wiht the paper cone) the flower stalk will always be straight and strong and not lean - but, its best if done very, very early as you can see the flower begin to emerge.

Also, as the plant is flowering - keep it out of hot sun, windows, heat, etc in order to prolong the time which you can enjoy the plant indoors. Keep it as cool as possible.

Good luck - you can save and correct the plant if it is not too long in its own process.

Best,
Chris

Answer 2

A hyacinth is a bulb plant and therefore will not bloom very long. When bulb plants do bloom the are very showy flowers that tend to be quite full and heavy.

The hyacinth in particular has exceptionally showy blooms and with such profusion that they are too heavy to hold up. Only small blooms will actually stand upright on a hyacinth.

Enjoy your beautiful and voluptuous blooms witht their heady perfume while you still can because in just over a week, the flower will be gone.

Once the bloom dies, shear the leaves and bloom off. Place the bulb in a paper bag and store it in a cool, dry place. As soon as the snow melts (if you live in a snowy climate), put it in your garden and it may bloom that very Spring. If not, it will come up the following year.

You can also repot it this time next yer and have another indoor show.

Answer 3

they need to be staked with a bamboo stake not metal as this will cook the plant