Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Forcing The Issue

Aahhh, the weather here is finally warming up. Spring is just around the corner, which means flowers and fragrances galore! I spent some time planting some pretty little pansies in my urns. That's about all I dare to plant right now because we'll likely have another snow storm before long.One of my favorite sights of spring is the early-blooming, bright yellow flowers of the Forsythia bush. I'm fortunate to have several of these bushes. Their blooms are still a few weeks off, but I'm anxious for flowers so I thought I'd force them along. I cut several budding branches and hammered the ends. Hammering the ends gives more surface area for the water to come up the stems. You can do this with any branch that blooms, even fruit trees.
Then I placed them in a vase of luke-warm water inside my home. They'll be fooled into thinking that the warm days of Spring are here, and soon those stems will have an abundance of gorgeous bright yellow bell-shaped flowers.
I can't wait!

27 comments:

Smith Family said...

I didn't know you could do that! Wow, I'm gonna try it!

Tiffany said...

I didn't know you could do that either! Thanks for the tip.

Adrienne said...

I wish I had something to force into blooming!

Amy said...

This is going to be beautiful when those buds get going!

Kasey said...

I didn't know you could do that. I'll have to try it! Thanks for the tip.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea that you could do that.
Sarah

nikkicrumpet said...

Holy cow...I would have never thought of cutting off branches before they have even flowered. This is such a great idea! Thanks for the tip!

Stacie said...

Thanks for that tip. Our forsythia here is already in full bloom and it is so beautiful!

Darlene said...

I didn't know you could force those. They will be beautiful when they all bloom. I LOVE the kitty....is it yours?

Bonnie the Boss said...

We used to have a big forsythia bush in my paernts back ard while I was growing up! Love it!

Joanna said...

I will have to try that, I didn't know it either. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Think it would work for lilacs?

Salmagundi said...

I should try forcing some blooming bushes. It will be awhile until spring in Colorado. Sally

Kaye said...

I will definetly have to try that! I learned something new today! I am going to have to share that awesome tidbit with the neighbors! Thank You!!!!!

Unknown said...

I had NO IDEA you could do that!! Now I need to make a new friend with a forsythia bush!

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

I had no idea about hammering the tip - Thanks

Pam @ Frippery said...

I love forsythia. I am bringing some stems inside today for forcing. Thanks for reminding me, Pam

Mel said...

I can't wait to go out and cut my forsythia to force some out of hybernation!!!!

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

I've never forced branches, but would love to try. Wonder if I can force lilacs? Any idea?

Unknown said...

I love the picture of the kitty...he look's like he's saying, "Who are you callin' a pansy?!"

I love spring's buds...I'm hoping my little cherry tree will have blooms for the first time this year.

Unknown said...

GREAT hammer trick...I did NOT know that! However, I DO know that to get a Bouganvilla to bloom, it likes to be Whacked with a broom....I've been told it get's the juices flowing in the branches. It really does work and they THRIVE on neglect. :) And THAT'S how I get MY plants to bloom...lol!

the undomesticated wife said...

Great tip!

I just posted about spring/plants today too. I think everyone is itching to get over winter!

Lindsay @ Makely said...

I've always wondered how to force flowers like that! Thanks, Joy!

tam said...

Great tip-I had forgotten all about that! Thanks! hope you have a wonderful week~Smiles~Tam!

Becky said...

Show us a picture later on when they are all they are going to be. Should be beautiful in front of your lovely stack of suitcases.
My voice is an echo "I didn't know you could do that."

RootsAndWingsCo said...

I did not know this about forcing blooms! I'll have to try it!
Rebecca
RootsAndWingsCo.blogspot.com

deborah said...

I love your site! I must tell you, I've never before seen another cat like ours; we have twin kitties. I thought I was the only person who had a gray and peach kitty! My kitty has 6 and 7 toes on her front paws though. I'd love to send you a pic of her.

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