Forcing Branches

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:: Home > OG Solutions > Techniques

Forcing Branches

Nothing lifts the spirits as much as the sight of a few branchees of golden forsythia or coral-colored quince. Branches of spring-flowering trees are easy to force for indoor display. You can force almost any spring-blooming tree or shrub from mid-January or early February on.
Follow these simple steps to bring the outdoors in long before spring:

1. Select the appropriate branches. Experiment with a variety of things from your garden, cutting heavily budded branches on a mild day. Choose stems of medium thickness or better, since these contain large quantities of stored sugar needed to nourish flower buds.

2. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut the branches; slice diagonally just above the bud. Cut branches at least 2'-3' long; shorter branches are less effective in arrangements.

3. Bring the branches indoors and strip flower buds and small twigs from the bottom few inches of the stems. Slit up the stem ends a few inches or crush slightly with a hammer to encourage water absorption. Some may bloom faster if you submerge them completely in a tepid water bath for a few hours before making your arrangement.

4. Recut stems and change the water every few days.

Good candidates for forcing include: forsythias, pussy willows, fruit trees such as apples, cherries, plums, and almonds; flowering quinces, lilacs, witch hazels, hawthorns, mock oranges, spireas, wisterias, spice bush and horse chestnut.

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