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| THE CASUAL GARDENER, Shawna Coronado Bring Some Spring Indoors – Force Branches = = = = = = = = = Dear Casual Gardener, I want to “force branches” to get some early spring flower bloom in the house – I’m so sick of winter – but don’t know how to do it. Can you advise me on “forcing” branches to bloom? Signed, Susan-Sick-O-Winter = = = = = = = = = Dear Susan, You got it Sister! Forcing flowering bushes and tree branches to bloom indoors is the perfect way to bring some spring indoors and cheer-up the cold soul. It seems as if we are in the 100th week of winter and I, for one, have had enough and need some sunshine and flowers! Almost any shrub that blooms in early spring can be forced into bloom inside your home. During late winter, the best time to prune deciduous trees and shrubs, is also the best time to cut branches for forcing. Right now is a great time to start some outdoor physical activity by checking and pruning over grown branches. The farther into spring you collect branches, the earlier they will open, so March is really the perfect month in the Midwest to try this. Branches, particularly woody ones, can take up to three weeks to bloom indoors, while many will flower in less than a week. Cut branches for forcing when the outside temperature is above freezing. The transition from outdoor cold temperatures to indoor temperatures will go smoother that way. First cut the stem off the tree – if you can, cut it where it connects to a larger branch. The next step is to recut the stem at an angle when you come inside, much as you would cut a flower, so there is a larger surface area for the branch to drink water with. It is a good idea after the second cut, to hammer or split the cut ends to help absorb even more water. Submerge the branches in very warm water in the bathtub for two to four hours to allow the buds to soak in water directly. If you want, you can stand the cuttings in a deep bucket of warm water with a plastic bag over the tops to increase the humidity overnight. The next day, stand the branches in fresh warm water with a floral preservative dissolved in it. Put the container in a bright location. It’s a good idea to start indoor forcing at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit; in other words, keep the branches in cooler temperatures the first day or so. Gradually move the buds to a warm room to speed up flowering. Check the branches frequently and mist if needed to prevent buds from drying out. You should also change the water every two to three days. Select branches that are least 1 foot long with many enlarged buds and prune branches from all sides of the shrub to maintain symmetry. Whichever shrub you choose, make sure you cut each branch all the way to the main stem. You can always shorten the branches later if they are too long for the vase. Pussy willow, flowering quince, and forsythia are among the most common and easiest woody plants cut for forcing. Fruiting trees, dogwood, witchhazel, willows, serviceberry, lilacs, red maple, crabapple, magnolia and redbud are all easy to force. Trees and bushes with catkins are also great forcers. For those of you with tree allergies, forcing buds in the home will produce a reaction, so you can wait a few more weeks and force them in a wonderful display on your front porch or patio once the outside air remains above 50 degrees. You’ll get a slight jump on the flowering trees outdoors and will have a lovely display. Try forcing spring blossoming shrubs this year! You'll be rewarded with colorful, fragrant flowers in your home. Please send your gardening questions for Shawna Coronado, The Casual Gardener to dearshawna@thecasualgardener.com or The Casual Gardener, P.O. Box 358, Warrenville, IL 60555. www.thecasualgardener.com |
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