Simple Steps Prod Stems Into Blooming

Pansies bloom, and they’re a sweet sight these gloomy days. But they’re not the only way to have flowers in bloom indoors.

Forcing stems of flowering shrubs such as forsythia, pussy willow and quince into early bloom is a favorite trick of many gardeners in winter.

You can force these shrubs because their natural bloom time is early spring, which isn’t that far away.

By now, the plants have had enough of a winter chill to permit them to break dormancy and bloom.

Look for branches of forsythia, quince or pussy willow that have a lot of buds. Select neither the thickest nor the thinnest stems to cut, but those of medium size.

Good blooms do not open magically.

Once you select your stems for forcing, cut them from the plant slightly longer than you need, perhaps 2 feet or more. Before you cut, consider the overall appearance of the plant. Don’t destroy its natural shape. You should be able to remove branches for forcing from a well-developed plant and leave no hint that something has been taken off.

Use the sharpest knife or pruning shears you own to make a clean, slanted cut that will encourage maximum uptake of water. Then make a sharp vertical cut to split the bottom of the stem for a couple of inches.

Next, bundle all the branches together and submerge them in a large bucket filled with warm water. Keep them there for several hours while the branches absorb water.

The water will also soften the bark surrounding the buds, their natural protector from harsh winter weather. It also washes off any stray debris or dirt.

Submerging the branches tends to encourage faster opening of buds. Once the buds and branches are clean and soft, they are ready for the next step in forcing.

Place the branches loosely in a tall, narrow container such as a vase with several inches of water in the bottom to cover the stem ends. Put the container in a cool room of about 65 to 70 degrees. A 60-degree room is best but hard to find.

The water will evaporate, so keep an eye on the level to make sure it doesn’t disappear. Changing it every few days will keep it fresh and avoid the development of bacteria that could clog the stems.

A fresh trim of the stem ends every few days will also keep the branches in good condition because it permits them to take up water.

A warm location in a sunny window will encourage faster bloom. A cooler spot will hold back blooms. It takes branches about three to four weeks to unfold in rooms kept about 68 degrees.

Once the buds begin to open, use them as a tabletop display or arrange with other flowers.