Georgia Raimondi, author of
The Passionate Gardener, shows us how to force cut branches into bloom. First, Raimondi defines the term "forcing," then she demonstrates several great decorative uses for flowering branches in different areas of the home.
Good candidates for forcing:
Shrubs:
- Forsythia
- Pussy willow
- Spirea
- Azalea
- Rhododendron
- Flowering almond
- Japanese quince
- Lilac
- Honeysuckle
Trees:
- Dogwood
- Crabapple
- Redbud
- Flowering cherry
- Magnolia
- Most fruit trees (pear, peach and apple)
Tips for the forcing process:
- Using a pair of pruning shears, make a slanted cut just above a bud. (Branches can be any length, from six inches to six feet or longer, but two to four feet is a good size if the branches will be used as interior decorative accents.) Make a three- to six-inch vertical slit in the stem end to enhance water absorption. Then, immerse the cut branches into a tall container of tepid water for several hours, or (better yet) submerge them in the bathtub overnight.
- Next, place the branches in a deep vase with cool water. Add some floral preservative or a few pieces of charcoal to help keep the water fresh. Place the branches in bright (but not direct) sunlight.
- Hammer the end of the branch very gently to encourage maximum water absorption. (This is especially applicable when dealing with denser, thicker stems.) However, be extremely careful to avoid crushing the branch, as this will cause it to rot.
- Change the water and cut one inch off the bottom of each stem every week. For added humidity, mist the branches daily -- this is a must for prompting the flower buds to swell.
- Although branches can be cut as early as January, the best results are obtained from mid to late winter, closer to the plant's normal blooming time. If possible, branches should be forced about one month before they would naturally bloom. Blooming and cutting times will vary according to location and climate.
- Depending on the plant variety being forced, expect to see flower buds between one and four weeks after beginning the forcing process. (The closer to the plant's normal outdoor blooming time, the sooner it will bloom indoors.)
Resources The Passionate Gardener
by Georgia Raimondi (ISBN: 0762100745)
Reader's Digest Adult, (February 1999)
Order this
title.
Guests Georgia Raimondi
Garden Expert/Author
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