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Friday 25 January 2019

The bulb

The roots erupt a few hours after the bottom of the bulb touches the water. We watch with interest as the roots lengthen every day, the pure white tendrils answering the call of gravity.




Meanwhile, above water, the top of the bulb erupts with green which grows day to day. Before long the center of the bulb looks different, not merely expanding leaves. As it grows, it is apparent blossoms are curled inside and over a few days, they open.


 


The transformation is complete. A small plant sits on the table where it absorbs sufficient light.


However, this small plant demands attention. Walking downstairs towards the table, one is immersed in hyacinth-scented air. It fills the living room and wafts into the kitchen. The blooms last a week 





and the scent lingers for a day after the plant becomes compost. For the two to three weeks it grew and bloomed, it was impressive.






There is a lesson here.

21 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

Ahhh, so cool. My Hungarian Grandma LOVED these flowers. She just loved them. She'd run her hand over them and then smell her hand and a HUGE smile would appear. That's a good memory you just gave me. Thanks and Happy Weekend!

William Kendall said...

It's quite pretty!

Tabor said...

I always feel compelled to plant bulbs in soil where they do not become compost. But I do love the smell of hyacinths.

Secondary Roads said...

A beautiful story and well written. I particularly appreciate that the lesson is the reader's to interpret. Each of us will have our own unique version.

Rhodesia said...

They smell amazing though while they last. Diane

R's Rue said...

Love.

Debbie said...

gorgeous!! this is a fun way to plant bulbs, you get to see everything!!!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It looks lovely, I wish I could smell the scent. Happy Friday, enjoy your day and weekend!

Mage said...

Mother always had these around. I have an embarrassing tendency to neglect plants.

Bill said...

What a wonderful exercise and a lesson for all of us to experience and think about. Very pretty to see. Have a nice weekend, Marie.

Anvilcloud said...

I didn't know you could do this with a hyacinth. We have to have at least one hyacinth every spring or winter. However, I didn't see any today when I went shopping.

Elephant's Child said...

Beautiful. And that scent...
I always plant one or two on gravel, and pop them in the ground when they have finished blooming.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Oh, that heavenly scent! Now I want to get a bulb and have it bloom too.

DJan said...

I love these flowers. Maybe I should get one, too, so I can enjoy some indoor fragrance and beauty. Such a lovely well written post. :-)

Retired Knitter said...

I was thinking the same thing ... about a lesson.

I see that in how animals hand bad situations and illness ... they just go on and don't fret about it. Another lesson.

So why are some humans so blind!

Joanne Noragon said...


This is so petty, Marie, and true or false, it is my experience with bulb forcing. I brought home a narcissis display and watered it. It responded in glory, my favorite bulb of all, and in the dead of winter. My mother-in-law looked, and announced in her finest kill joy voice I had killed all those bulbs, they could never survive to be planted outdoors. I swooped all the stems into my hand and walked out through the snow to the compost bin and put them in. I came back to everyone, my in-laws, my husband, sputtering. I said I gave them an honorable death and went upstairs to put children to bed. I've never researched it; too bitter.

Hyacinths are such a sweet, sweet taste of spring.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh wow! I have never thought of growing a bulb like this Marie, but I can say for certain I am definitely going to do so after summer, of maybe even now, not sure.. such a good idea ✨

Iris Flavia said...

This reminds me of my avocado, that I started just like this and put into earth later.
Certainly no means by comparison in beauty! Yours looks awesome!

Sami said...

Thanks for your visit Marie. I had no idea the roots of the hyacinths would just grow in water, how interesting.

Stewart M said...

Used to have these in my classroom - an ongoing project is recording information.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Jackie said...

How beautiful.
Nature is amazing!