In this section, you will find the growing methods in use, the growing techniques, crop protection, disease control and variety choice of tulips, hyacinths and narcissus.

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4.4 Forcing under artificial light Just as with tulips and narcissi, hyacinths also grow well under artificial light. This method is similar to greenhouse cultivation. Although it is possible to grow hyacinths in limited light conditions, the amount should be sufficient and applied in such a fashion as to prevent a limp, pale crop. The following guidelines are given: - use TL lamps with a capacity of 36 watts/m2 and incandescent lamps with a capacity of 150 watts/m2. For either type of lamp, use reflectors. - the distance between the lamp and the top of the crop should be 1 metre. - when using a high-pressure vapour discharge lamp (400 watts), such as a HQIT (Osram) or a HPIT (Philips) lamp, use one lamp per 10 m2. The distance between the top of the crop and the lamp when using a wide-beam 2 type of reflector or when using a concentration-type 3 reflector should be 3 metres. - the duration of illumination lasts 12 hours until mid-January, 14 hours from mid-January until mid-February, and 16 hours thereafter. Based on recent experience, 24-hour illumination throughout the entire season is preferable. - higher light intensity and longer periods of illumination have been shown to improve quality, however it is advisable to try on a small scale initially. - it is advisable to paint the walls of the room white or to cover the walls with reflective material.