Hyacinths: Force Bulbs to Bloom Inside There are many flowering
bulbs available in the stores and catalogues now that can
brighten up the indoor garden in winter. The easiest are the
bulbs that can be grown in water and pebbles, like the hyacinth.
Hyacinths are available in the fall for growing indoors. As
hyacinths are a late spring bloomer normally, they do need a
period of cooling before they will bloom. There are special pre-
cooled bulbs that may be purchased for growing either in pebbles
and water, or in containers of soil. Also, pot-size bulbs are
sold now for growing over water in special hyacinth glasses.
These are fun to grow, and make good Christmas presents if you
start early enough — about the middle of October for mid-
December bloom. Any way they are grown, they require about eight
weeks stored in the dark, between 50° and 60° F. The most likely
spots would be in a corner of a cool basement or in the attic.
Planted in pots or grown in pebbles, they need only to be
checked periodically to make sur