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Tatyana Glubsheva, Acting Director of the BelSU Institute of Pharmacy, Chemistry, and Biology, displayed early-blooming bulbs at the Laboratory of Biological Resources and Selection of Agricultural Plants. This ongoing experiment, which has spanned over a decade, saw the addition of blooming crocuses and hyacinths this year. The team used corms from the hybrid large-flowered crocus variety Flower Record and bulbs from the oriental hyacinth variety Pink. To manipulate the flowering period, several steps must be taken over nearly a year: first simulating a hot summer, followed by autumn and winter. Only then will the eagerly anticipated buds emerge. Together with biology students, the research on these varieties will continue in outdoor settings.

"If a photograph could capture the aroma, you would truly sense the atmosphere of spring," Glubsheva remarked. "For us, it arrived in January. Each year, we aim to time our forcing to coincide with various holidays: Russian Student Day, Defender of the Fatherland Day, and International Women’s Day. We blend scientific inquiry with celebratory events. Next up for us is the blooming of tulips."

In previous years, the laboratory has seen winter and early spring blooms of tulips, irises, hyacinths, daffodils, and crocuses.

"Plants can be forced not only in soil but also in perlite, hydrogel, or even plain water," she explained. "In these cases, no fertilizers are necessary since all essential nutrients are already present in the storage organs – tubers or bulbs. However, plants that bloom in open ground tend to produce larger and more vibrant flowers. Additionally, not all varieties are suitable for forcing."