Those of us up north get a little antsy in March waiting for our flowers and shrubs to bloom. I usually cut off branches of my weeping cherry tree early in March and force them to bloom. I have a little success with it, a few blossoms on each branch. I found this article (click on the blog title for link) with steps to take for fooling your branches into thinking it's spring. I didn't find this article until late March and I hope my tree knows it's spring and I don't have to fool it. I cut a few branches yesterday and put them in a vase of water. I'll post a picture of them in bloom (if they bloom.)
Has anyone had good luck forcing spring branches into bloom? Which branches have you found work best?
Pussy willows are a common forcer around here.
ReplyDeletePussy willows and forsythia are common here but I don't have access to any. I'd like to try an azalea, maybe I'll cut one tomorrow and see what happens. I've read that lilacs can be forced too. Maybe I'll just cut a bunch of branches and see what happens with them all.
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie - I've always had luck with the plum branches. They are the first to bloom here so I just force those and then the other trees are in bloom so they get left alone.
ReplyDeleteI like to force Forsythia...the bright yellow blossoms really brighten up my windowsill! Our Forsythia is just ready to bloom outdoors now.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog!
I have also never forced branches, but would love to try it. I think the lilac branch is a great idea, it would not only look pretty but smell wonderful!
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