Scoring and scooping is a form of propagation used for bulbs such as hyacinths. Scoring involves making two shallow cuts at right angles into the basal plate, whilst in scooping, the centre of the basal plate is scooped out and discarded so that just the outer edge of the basal plate remain intact . These shallow cuts or scoops causes callus tissue to develop, which stimulates the growth of bulblets.

Scoring Method

1. Using a sharp, clean knife, make two shallow cuts through the basal plate to form a cross.
2. Dust the cut surfaces with fungicide.
3. Place the bulbs into a tray filled with damp perlite, mixed with fungicide. Store in a warm, dark place until (bulblets) have developed along the cuts.
4. Transfer the bulb to a tray filled with two parts damp vermiculite or peat substitute and one part coarse sand (or grit). The bulb should be planted upside down so that the small bulbs can grow above the parent bulb and then be separated for replanting.
5. Alternatively, after scoring, simply plant the parent bulb in compost (cut surface down) and wait for bulblets to form.

Scooping Method

1. After lifting and cleaning the bulb, use a knife or a clean, sharpened teaspoon to scoop out and discard the inner part of the basal plate. Make sure that the outer rim is left intact.
2. Dip the cut surfaces in fungicide and then place the bulbs into a tray of sand with their scooped portion uppermost.
3. Position the tray in a warm, dark place such as an airing cupboard, watering the sand periodically to keep it moist.
4. When the bulblets have formed around the cut surface, detach them from the parent bulb and grow them on in individual pots.