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Winter Flowers for the House
Hyacinths, tulips, jonquils, crocuses and other bulbs are frequently
grown, or rather flowered, in glasses containing water only.
They do not form new bulbs, so that after blooming they must
either be planted out for offsets, or better thrown aside for
healthy bulbs grown in the ordinary way.
Glasses, like the one shown, and of other forms, some transparent
and others blue or green, are obtained of glass dealers, or
seedsmen, at 12-1/2 to 25 cents each. They are known as "Hyacinth
Glasses," and whatever shape they are at the bottom, the top
must have the form of a saucer or bowl to hold the bulb and
allow the roots to extend into the water.
Having filled the glasses with pure rain water, place the bulbs in them so that the lower surface shall just touch the water. Dry bulbs which have made no growth may be taken, or those which have been previously potted and have made several inches of root. After putting them in glasses it is better to place them in a moderately cool and dark, but dry, room for a week or ten days, when they may be brought to the parlor, or placed in a green-house, where they will grow rapidly, and in a few weeks commence blooming. The water should be changed about once a week, or as often as it becomes turbid. Wires are sometimes fastened around the neck of the glass, and run up, to which the flower-stalk may be fastened for support. A very cheap supply of beautiful flowers may thus be secured in the house during the entire winter.
Excerpt from American Agriculturist Vol XVII, No 12,
Dec 1858
Editor’s Note: This is a reprint of an article published in 1858. It describes what was recommended in accordance with the knowledge and practices of the day. While reading it, please consider this fact.
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