September, 1916 
WISCONSIN HORTICULTURE 
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Indoor Culture of Hyacinths 
and Narcissus 
Prof. J. G. Moore 
Probably no flowering plants 
are more appreciated during the 
late winter or early spring 
months than the so-called Dutch 
bulbs.- Of these bulbs the hya- 
cinths and narcissus are two of 
the best for indoor culture. While 
it is a comparatively easy matter 
to grow these plants successfully, 
nevertheless a great many meet 
with failure or only partial suc- 
cess. In this article we shall try 
to give simple directions as to 
the best methods for securing 
good results. 
The first factor which must be 
taken into consideration in the 
forcing of any bulb is the char- 
acter of the stock with which we 
are to start. Inferior bulbs al- 
ways produce inferior flowers. It 
is necessary, therefore, if good 
results are to be obtained, to 
secure first-class bulbs. This does 
not necessarily mean that the 
bulbs must be high priced for 
the mixed bulbs may be just as 
good flower producers, and be 
secured at a much less cost than 
the named varieties. With hya- 
cinths, however, it is preferable 
to buy in separate colors as 
where the bulbs are mixed as to 
color, unsatisfactory results are 
likely to occur on account of 
inharmonious color combinations 
In selecting bulbs, care should 
be exercised to see that they have 
not become dried out. A bulb 
which is soft when pressed be- 
tween the thumb and finger will 
not give satisfactory results. 
Another thing to note is the 
weight of the bulbs in comparison 
to their size. The heavier the 
bulb the more likely it will be to 
produce large numbers of good 
flowers. 
There are two distinct meth- 
ods of forcing bulbs in the home, 
i. e., soil culture and water cul- 
ture. 
Soil Culture. Soil culture of 
these plants is usually much more 
satisfactory than water culture, 
particularly for the later bloom- 
ing sorts. The only objection is 
the increase in amount of work 
which is necessary. The soil for 
the growing of good bulbous 
plants should be a sandy loam 
which is comparatively rich. If 
it is impossible to secure such 
soil, it can readily be prepared 
by taking the ordinary garden 
soil and mixing with it a suffi- 
cient amount of sand and leaf 
mould to make it comparatively 
light. 
The size of the receptacle in 
which the bulbs are to be grown 
will depend very largely upon 
the number which it is desired to 
have together. Mass effects of 
three to five bulbs in a single 
receptacle are usually much more 
effective and require propor- 
tionately less work than where 
only a single bulb is used. Five 
to six inch flower pots are suffi- 
ciently large to carry the bulbs 
of the hyacinths and most of the 
narcissus group. If pots are not 
available, then pans may be 
used, but these usually give less 
satisfactory results on account of 
poor drainage facilities. In mak- 
ing up a six-inch pot of bulbs, the 
following is indicative of the 
procedure: Have the soil well 
mixed and sufficiently damp so 
that when the index finger is 
inserted into the pile, the open- 
ing will remain fairly distinct. In 
the bottom of the pot place 
pieces of broken pots, charcoal 
or coarse gravel to provide drain- 
age. In putting in the drainage 
do not close the opening in the 
bottom. Have the pieces of pots 
arched over the opening rather 
than filling it. With the six inch 
pots, four or five pieces of drain- 
age, or an inch of charcoal or 
gravel will be sufficient. Fill the 
pot about level full of soil with- 
out packing. Next take the bulb 
and with the lingers make an 
opening into the soil sufficiently 
large to receive the bulb. Three 
or four bulbs may be placed in a 
pot except for large-sized Chinese 
Sacred Lily. The narcissus should 
be planted so that just the tip 
of the neck of the bulb extends 
above the surface. The hya- 
cinths may be planted in the 
same way, but are usually 
planted only to about one-half 
to three-quarters of their depth 
in the soil. Settle the soil by 
jarring the pot. This can be done 
without exerting other pressure 
and if there is an insufficient 
amount of soil after settling, a 
sufficient amount to fill within 
one-half to three-quarters of 
the top of the pot may be added. 
Do not put in too much soil be- 
cause over-filled pots are very 
difficult to water. Do not press 
the bulbs into the soil. If this is 
done when the root system begins 
to develop, the bulbs are very 
likely to be pushed out of the 
soil which will necessitate re- 
planting and also check the 
growth. 
The most important period in 
the production of good flowers 
from bulbs is that following the 
planting. This period is one of 
root development and unless the 
bulbs make good roots the flow- 
ers will be inferior. As soon as 
the bulbs are planted they should 
be thoroughly watered and set 
away in a cool, dark place; a 
temperature ranging from forty 
to forty-five degrees being the 
most desirable. They should be 
carried at this temperature until 
a good root system has developed 
This can easily be determined by 
placing the hand over the top 
of the pot, inverting it, tapping 
lightly on a board or corner of 
(Continued on page 14) 
