Hyacinth 'Delft Blue' Hyacinthus orientalis 'Delft Blue'

Water

Hyacinth bulbs, particularly Delft Blue Hyacinths, need moderate watering during active growth periods. Typically, this includes watering thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which can be roughly once a week. The goal is to maintain evenly moist soil without waterlogging, as too much water can rot the bulbs. During the plant's dormant period, after the leaves have yellowed and died back, watering should be reduced significantly. Water with approximately 16 ounces to keep the soil lightly moist every other week, adjusting for climate and indoor conditions.

Light

Delft Blue Hyacinths prefer bright, indirect light to thrive. The best spot for these bulbs is in a well-lit room where they receive filtered sunlight, away from direct, harsh rays that can scorch their leaves. A north or east-facing windowsill is often ideal for providing the necessary light conditions. They can also bloom in artificial light if natural bright light is not available.

Temperature

Delft Blue Hyacinths prefer cooler temperatures and will thrive in conditions between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It's important to keep the bulbs away from heat sources and hot temperatures which can cause them to wither. They can survive brief periods outside of this range, but the ideal temperature for robust blooms is within these cooler temperatures. The bulbs are hardy to a minimum outdoor temperature of around 25 degrees Fahrenheit, but it's safest to not let indoor temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pruning

Pruning Delft Blue Hyacinths is mainly about deadheading spent flowers to encourage the plant to direct energy into next year's growth rather than seed production. After blooming, cut back the flower stalks to the base but leave the foliage intact until it naturally browns and withers. This typically occurs just once a year, after the spring bloom period. The best time for pruning is when the flowers have finished blooming and are no longer visually appealing.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the Delft Blue hyacinth should be rich, well-drained, and loamy with a slight preference for alkalinity, aiming for a pH of about 6.5 to 7.5. Incorporate organic matter such as compost or peat moss to improve soil structure and nutrients.

Repotting

Delft Blue hyacinths generally do not require frequent repotting and should be repotted only when the bulbs have multiplied and are crowded, typically every 2-3 years.

Humidity & Misting

Hyacinths, including the Delft Blue variety, prefer moderate humidity levels; however, they are not particularly demanding in terms of ambient humidity and can adapt to indoor environments well.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant in fall, full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

The life of the 'Delft Blue' Hyacinth begins when its bulb, which is a storage organ containing embryonic plant material, is planted in well-drained soil during the fall. After a period of winter chilling, essential for breaking dormancy, the bulb sprouts in early spring, sending up green shoots and then flower stems bearing dense spikes of fragrant, blue flowers. Following the flowering period, the blooms fade and the plant enters a foliage phase, where the leaves photosynthesize to replenish the bulb's energy reserves. As the temperatures rise, the foliage turns yellow and withers, marking the end of the growth cycle and the start of the bulb's dormancy during the hot summer months. During dormancy, the bulb survives off the energy it stored during the active growth period. When temperatures cool down in the fall, the cycle is ready to begin anew with the bulb potentially producing offsets, leading to the growth of new plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring

• The most popular method of propagating the Hyacinth 'Delft Blue' is through division of the bulbs, typically carried out in late summer after the foliage has died back. To propagate, carefully lift the mature bulbs from the soil and gently separate the small offset bulbs, which are commonly referred to as "bulblets," that have formed at the base of the parent bulb. These bulblets can be replanted immediately at a depth of approximately 6 inches (15 centimeters) into well-draining soil, taking care to space them about 4 inches (10 centimeters) apart. It's important to ensure that the soil remains moderately moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season to encourage proper rooting and bulb development. By the following spring, these bulblets should have established themselves enough to produce their own blooms.