February 18, 2004
Woodbury Bulletin
Betsy Halden

Forcing cut branches of spring-blooming shrubs and trees

As I look out my window the sun is shining brightly and there is over a foot of snow on the ground. But winter doesn’t last forever. Though the official arrival of spring is still several weeks away, impatient gardeners can enjoy an early taste of spring by forcing cut branches of many spring flowering trees and shrubs indoors. Forsythia, pussywillow, crabapple, serviceberry, magnolia, redbud, and fruit trees can be forced indoors during the late winter months. Here are some suggestions for enjoying early blooms in your home.

Forcing can be done as soon as the plant overcomes its dormancy (cold temperature) requirement. This may be as early as mid-February for forsythia and pussywillow. It’s best to wait until March for more difficult-to-force ornamentals, such as crabapple, magnolia, and redbud.

When gathering plant material, select branches that are at least 12 inches long and contain numerous large, plump buds. Flower buds are usually larger and rounder than leaf buds. If possible, collect the branches on a warm, winter day. If the plant material is frozen when you collect it, submerge the branches in a tub or pail of tepid water for a few hours. Later, set the branches in a tall container of water and place them in a dimly lighted, cool - 60 to 65 F - location. Spray or mist the branches several times a day to prevent the buds from drying out. Also, change the water in the container daily. When the flowers begin to open, move the branches to a bright room. Keep the branches out of direct sunlight and in a cool location to prolong the bloom period.

The time period required to force branches into bloom depends upon the plant species and the date it was collected. Forsythia and pussywillow generally take only 1 to 3 weeks to force. Magnolia branches may take 3 to 5 weeks. The closer it is to their outdoor flowering time, the less time it will take to force cut branches indoors.

There is an informative article on forcing flowering branches in the January 2004 Northern Gardener published by the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS). The author lives in Zone 5/6, so the dates might not correspond to the best dates for us, but the details are helpful. Ardith Beveridge also writes about using flowering branches in floral designs in the same January issue. You can learn more about the MSHS by calling 651.643.3601. Or you can visit the Web site at www.northerngardener.org for more information about becoming a member.

Betsy Halden is a resident of Woodbury. You can reach Betsy Halden at eahalden@comcast.net.