Tired of bare tree limbs and brown grass? Bring spring flowers into the house while it is still freezing outside by forcing dormant buds to bloom indoors.
Forcing is a horticultural strategy that is used to hasten bloom time. It is a method that is used to induce early flowering of spring-flowering bulbs and of early flowering of spring-flowering branches.
The normal sequence of flowering is that flower buds of spring-blooming species are initiated in the previous summer, the buds enter dormancy in the autumn, stay dormant through the winter months and bloom when temperatures rise in the spring.
For those of us who are impatient and do not want to wait until this spring to enjoy the blossoms, the blossoms can be forced to bloom early by providing flower buds a warm, moist environment.
The technique of forcing technique is simple. Cut lengths of dormant branches – the longer the better so that the branches can weep and form a graceful arch in the vase. After cutting the branches, submerge in warm water and while underwater recut ends at an angle. Angled cuts expose more branch tissue for increased water absorption. Leave several hours to fully hydrate the branches then place branches into fresh, warm water. Warm water moves more quickly into tissues than cold water. Floral preservatives can be added to minimize bacterial contamination but contamination can be controlled with frequent changes of the water.
It may take a few weeks for buds to break into bloom; buds will first begin to swell and show color before blooming. If after several weeks buds on branches have not bloomed, it is possible that forcing was attempted too early and buds did not have sufficient cold exposure. Wait a few weeks and repeat with fresh plant material. For continuous displays of blooms, take cuttings every few weeks.
The easiest plants to force into early blooming indoors:
Bradford pear, Pyrus calleryana
• Crabapple, Malus spp.
• Flowering quince, Chaenomeles speciosa
• Forsythia, Forsythia • Lilac, Syringa vulgaris
• Magnolia, Magnolia spp.
•Pussy Willow, Salix caprea • Redbud, Cercis canadensis • Spirea, Spiraea prunifolia
Ellen Peffley Harp, a retired professor of horticulture at Texas Tech University, writes about gardening TEXAS DOVE
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