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!
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27 comments:

  1. Smith FamilyMarch 17, 2009 at 10:27 AM

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

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  2. TiffanyMarch 17, 2009 at 10:36 AM

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

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  3. AdrienneMarch 17, 2009 at 10:44 AM

    I wish I had something to force into blooming!

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  4. AmyMarch 17, 2009 at 10:48 AM

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

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  5. KaseyMarch 17, 2009 at 10:50 AM

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

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  6. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 10:57 AM

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

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  7. nikkicrumpetMarch 17, 2009 at 11:04 AM

    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!

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  8. StacieMarch 17, 2009 at 11:07 AM

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

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  9. DarleneMarch 17, 2009 at 11:08 AM

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

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  10. Bonnie the BossMarch 17, 2009 at 11:15 AM

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

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  11. JoannaMarch 17, 2009 at 11:42 AM

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

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  12. AnonymousMarch 17, 2009 at 12:36 PM

    Think it would work for lilacs?

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  13. SalmagundiMarch 17, 2009 at 12:43 PM

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

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  14. KayeMarch 17, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    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!!!!!

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  15. UnknownMarch 17, 2009 at 1:19 PM

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

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  16. Laurel @ Ducks in a RowMarch 17, 2009 at 1:20 PM

    I had no idea about hammering the tip - Thanks

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  17. Pam @ FripperyMarch 17, 2009 at 1:56 PM

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

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  18. MelMarch 17, 2009 at 2:01 PM

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

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  19. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceMarch 17, 2009 at 3:15 PM

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

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  20. UnknownMarch 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM

    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.

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  21. UnknownMarch 17, 2009 at 4:09 PM

    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!

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  22. the undomesticated wifeMarch 17, 2009 at 7:15 PM

    Great tip!

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

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  23. Lindsay @ MakelyMarch 17, 2009 at 8:12 PM

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

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  24. tamMarch 17, 2009 at 9:45 PM

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

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  25. BeckyMarch 18, 2009 at 11:10 AM

    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."

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  26. RootsAndWingsCoMarch 23, 2009 at 1:30 PM

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

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  27. deborahMarch 25, 2009 at 5:57 PM

    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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Thank you so very much for inspiring me to be more creative!