Horticulture News

DATE: January 15, 2008

HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370

BY: Amy Aldenderfer
County Extension Agent for Horticulture

Forcing Branches Brings Color into Winter Homes

Do the cloudy, cold days of winter make you anxious for spring?  There is a way to bring a little bit of the thrill of spring into your home or classroom.  You can force tree or shrub branches into bloom.  This can be a beautiful and fun wintertime activity for the entire family or even a classroom.

Early spring flowering trees and shrubs form their flower buds in the fall before the plants go dormant. After a period of at least 8 weeks of temperatures below 40 degrees F. (usually after January), branches can be cut and forced to bloom indoors.

Most flowering shrubs are easy to force, while trees are more difficult. The later in the winter you cut the branches the shorter the forcing time becomes.

Select healthy, young branches with numerous flower buds, which are usually larger and plumper than leaf buds. Always follow good pruning practices when cutting the branches.

After bringing the branches indoors, make a second cut on a slant just above the previous cut. If temperatures are below freezing when you cut the branches, immerse the branches full length in cool water for several hours or overnight.  This keeps buds from bursting prematurely.

Put the branches in a container and add warm water no higher than 3 inches on the stems. Allow to stand for 20 to 30 minutes, and then finish filling the container. Place the container in a cool (60-65 degrees F.) partially shaded location.  This can take anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks.

When the buds begin to show color, move the branches to a brighter room, but do not place in direct sunlight.  The branches may be arranged at this time. To prolong its beauty, place the arrangement in a cool location.

The following are some suggested plants for forcing and the approximate time it takes to get them into bloom:  Bridal Wreath Spirea - 2 weeks, Cornelian Dogwood - 2 weeks, Flowering Quince - 4 weeks, Forsythia - 2 weeks, Honeysuckle - 2 weeks, Lilac - 4 weeks, Rhododendron - 4 weeks, Wisteria - 3 weeks, Cherry - 3 weeks, Apple or Crabapple - 4 weeks, Flowering Dogwood - 5 weeks, Magnolia - 5 weeks, Peach and Pear - 4 weeks, and Redbud - 2 weeks.

Rooting may occur on some species.  If this happens, trim the stems to 6 to 8 inches in length and pot the rooted stems individually in pots. When warm weather arrives move the pot outdoors.

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