Forcing flowering branches brings a little bit of early Spring into our homes.
These forsythia are among the easiest branches to force. Here's how...
1.Cut branches on a day that the temperature rises at least 10 degrees
2. Cut long branches
3. Cut more branches than you will need, some might not bloom
4. Prepare branches by cutting 3-4 inches off the branch to make a fresh cut
5. Make a 1-2 inch cut up the branch to allow more water to be absorbed
6. Put the branches in tepid water
7. Change water every other day and keep it away from direct sunlight.
It really is as easy as that!
Here are some other branches that are easy to force:
Pear
Spirea
Magnolia
Cherry
Crabapple
Dogwood
Wisteria
Honeysuckle
Lilac
Quince
Thanks for the idea. I have forsythia , but I will have to wait till it warms up here.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound easy Yvonne. Will definitely try this. Nice touch placing the container on the nest. Will you be doing the Sunday Scripture again?
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend,
Mimi
I did this very thing today with some honeysuckle branches. Here's hoping they bloom, but I still like looking at them even if they don't!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great idea!! Your vignette looks so gorgeous!I'm having the most wonderful time looking through all your posts.You are such a wonderful hostess.Anyone who sits at your table must feel so very special.
ReplyDeleteKathy
I love to put flowering branches in my entry hall and on my kitchen table. It really does feel like Spring once I do that!! Happy Weekend.come by my blog and take a trip to my dream beach house!!! I think you might like it! xo Kathysue
ReplyDeleteI love doing this... it makes me smile to pass by a vase full of forsythia!
ReplyDeleteFabulous Yvonne. I had no idea how to do this. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteSam
I relaly must try that soon. DH says our forsynthia could lose some branches. : - )
ReplyDeleteI've been looking at the ones in my driveway. I think I missed my window last week and will wait for a bit warmer day this week. Hope you are well and enjoying being back in blog land.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a perfect post for Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
I have been forcing forsythia for years now and agree it really is that easy, and the blooms are a lovely sign of spring in the house. Once the branches root, they can be planted for new bushes. I had several in my old house that were rooted by my friends mother and they were terrific.
ReplyDeleteHere in the south, we have had a very mild winter. My forsythia is in full bloom now. Also our Carolina Jasmine is blooming.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder Yvonne, I'll be back in Michigan on Monday and will head out to the bushes and cut some for the house. I think most of our winter is over and nothing says early spring like forsythia. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment too. I'm so glad to have you back with your beautiful home and inspiring decorating ideas.
ReplyDeleteLove to force forsythia. Sadly, last summer, I gave my lawn guy permission to do some pruning on my 16 forsythia bushes. He cut them so far back that I literally almost cried. He could tell that I was upset, but assured me it was for the best. Well, not for this year's blooming! I hope that they do better each coming year because I always looked forward to my huge, free-form forsythias.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I will try to force a dogwood branch or two.
Thanks for the reminder.
Beckie
My favorite is apricot....so fragrant
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Yvonne. I already forced and photographed my forsythia. It was such a delight! For 2 years in a row I've tried to force my double flowering cherry without any luck. Just yesterday I threw the branches out since all the buds were drying up and falling off even though I'd cut the bottoms off a couple times. Maybe I'll get it right next year.
ReplyDeleteNice to see you make a return : )
This sounds almost too easy. I have to give it a try! I love my forsythia! :)
ReplyDeleteXO,
Jane
I've never tried this but it seems like something even I can do! I'm so glad you're back to blogging!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
What a fabulous suggestion! I love the idea and I have some perfect branches to try from your list especially a beautiful Forsythia. I am in Canada and would love to experiment with this. Thank you!I am now a follower of your blog and look forward to return visits. I invite you to join me as well on my blog at http://atastefultouch.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHugs, Gayle.
Very pretty, Yvonne!
ReplyDeleteI do have some crabapple branches that could use trimming... I think I'll wait a while {since we live in upstate, NY} and will trim up some crabapple branches for this experiment! I'll take pictures if it works out!
*have a beautiful Sunday*
~ Maria
Yvonne, Beautiful blog and your photography is excellent. Thank you for stopping by my blog and enjoying my tea towels. I will be following.
ReplyDeleteForsythia reminds me of NYC and Central Park in spring....thank you for the rappel...
ReplyDeleteYvonne, Forsythia always reminds me of spring. Love the pop of yellow. I have some in our home now too. ~ Sarah
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. I noticed that the forsythia has begun to bloom here. I love the color, because it reminds me that Easter is just around the corner....Laura
ReplyDeleteOh my..thank you for the tutorial as my forsythia right now is perfect for the forced blooming..
ReplyDeleteHow pretty they look, Yvonne! We've FINALLY got a warm couple of days in our forecast so I shall look about for some branches.
ReplyDeleteMy Mom always used to bring in the pussy willow branches & force them to open early. All the kids LOVED to fondly those soft, furry little buds.
Thanks for bringing back that wonderful memory for me.
Hugs,
Rett
Yvonne,
ReplyDeleteIn years past we would have participated in forcing the branches...however this year on the Prairie...they're already bursting with vibrant life! have a blessed weekend!
Fondly,
Pat
Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
ReplyDelete- The Tablescaper
Great post. I love forsythia!
ReplyDelete