Cut hyacinths

The enchantment of a blooming hyacinth, the scent of spring.

From growing in soil to growing on water…

Cut hyacinths – how do they work?

After the hyacinths are lifted in the summer, they are placed in large crates in storage rooms at 25°C. The bulbs are stored this way until we begin planting for forcing in early September. We continue this work until the end of December. The hyacinths are planted in crates on a layer of potting soil. After planting, they are covered with a plate fitted with foam rubber. After 4 weeks the bulbs have rooted and the plate is removed again by means of a self-designed de-stacker. It can then be reused for the next crate.

The stacks are then placed again in another storage room. In this room we simulate winter, so that the flower inside the bulb thinks it is that time of year. The temperature in this cold room is 9°C. During this period the bulb forms its roots and the flower slowly develops.

After 13 to 15 weeks they are removed from the cold room and placed in the greenhouse, where it is wonderfully warm and humid and the hyacinths begin to grow. In a period of around 10 days the hyacinths have grown enough to be harvested.

After harvesting the hyacinths go to the processing line, where the bulbs are separated from the flowers and washed. The hyacinths are then bunched and prepared in paper or sleeves for dispatch. The trolleys are now ready to be transported to the auction or the customer. Most flowers go directly to the exporter to be shipped to the end customer the very same day. Only a small proportion goes to the highest bidder via the auction clock the following day. They then resell to the retailer, which is how the flowers eventually end up in your vase, where you can enjoy them for a long time!

From bulb to cut hyacinth

Lifting: from the field
Summer
Storage:
Cold rooms, 25°
Planting for forcing:
September to December
Rooting:
4 weeks
Storage:
Cold room 9°,
root and flower formation
From cold to greenhouse:
13 tot 15 weeks
Growth in greenhouse:
±10 days, harvest time
Processing line:
Separating bulb and flower,
wassen
Dispatch:
Bunched and packed, ready for transport

2026: growing on water using plug trays

We are facing a major change in our production process: we are switching from growing in potting soil to hydroponic cultivation. From now on, all bulbs will be placed on plug trays on a controlled layer of water. The bulbs then root in the cold room at 9°C.

Because the water remains still during this phase, it is refreshed after a few weeks to ensure water quality and hygiene. In this way the roots can develop optimally in water. Just as in the traditional cultivation method, following 14 weeks of cold the bulbs go into the warmth, after which they can be harvested within one week.

The subsequent steps in the process, including processing and handling, remain identical to the current situation.