| Yes, it’s been a long winter and your eyes are hungry for some spring color, but Mother Nature is just not cooperating. You can easily and inexpensively, bring a bit of the outdoors and some very welcome color inside during the late days of winter. You accomplish this by cutting a few branches of some flowering trees and shrubs and “forcing them” to bloom indoors early.
Timing is everything ~ Now don't try to do this too early. Of course you’re anxious for spring, but don't try it in December or you’ll just be very disappointed. The closer it is to the plant's normal flowering time, the more successful your efforts will be.
Pick Me! Pick Me! ~ Some branches you can force are: Forsythia, Honeysuckle, Apple, Cherry, Pear, Wild Rose, Serviceberry, Redbud, Quince, Dogwood, Hawthorn, Witch Hazel, Magnolia, Mockorange, Spirea, Pussy Willow, Wisteria and Lilac.
Careful Now! ~ Before you start slashing up your shrubs, first think about how cutting will affect their appearance. Use this pruning process to improve the shape of your shrub at the same time that you are creating your "bloomin spring" indoors. Best results will occur with younger branches because they generally have more flower buds. Cut branches in the middle of a mild day when the daytime temperature is above freezing using clean, sharp pruning shears. Choose branches with nice fat flower buds with branches at least 12 inches long. Some fruit trees bear flowers on short fruit spurs. Look for these on apples, pears, and ornamental crabapples.
Bring them on in ~ Bring your branches indoors and make a 3-4 inch cut at the bottom of each stem. For stems that are woody, you will have better luck if you smash the lower ends with a hammer.
Bath Time ~ Place the entire cutting into your bathtub and submerge them in water overnight. You will need to put a heavy item gently over them to keep them under the water.
That’s Cool ~ The next morning, place them in a large vase or container of warm water. Now move your vase to a cool and dark spot in your house - not cold, but around 60 - 62 degrees F is best. Higher temperatures will cause the buds to develop sooner, but size, color, and quality will be sacrificed. Lower humidity that may cause the buds to dry out and fall off. Change the water daily and pamper them often with a bit of mist.
Patience Test ~ Watch carefully until you begin to see some signs of color in the buds. When the buds swell and show some color move them into a warmer, well-lit room, but not in direct sunlight or near a heat source. Flowers will last longer if they get misted frequently and moved to a cool location at night.
Enjoy!
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