Forcing branches for indoor bloom

Why isn't it spring yet? Has Wiarton Willy let us down? Well, he is a tad new at predicting springtime, this being only his second year on the job, so I'll try to forgive him as I find myself shovelling out from yet another snowfall.

This time of the year makes me twitchy -- I need a breath of springtime. So, it's out to the garden to cut a few branches of forsythia to force into bloom indoors. If you've never tried forcing branches of flowering shrubs and trees, here's my never-fail recipe:

1. Cut some branches of forsythia, honeysuckle, cherry, or apple.

2. Using hefty scissors or a knife, carefully make several two-inch cuts up into the bottom of the branch. This improves water intake up the stem.

3. Place the cut branches into a bucket of water.

4. Place the bucket of branches under a warm shower for about ten minutes. What you're really doing is tricking the branches into thinking they're under a warm, spring rain, at which point, they should start thinking seriously about breaking out into bud.

5. Keep the bucket of branches in the shower overnight to soak up the moisture in the shower. (Turn off the water, though or your water bill will be a big surprise!)

6. Next morning, place the branches in an out-of-the-way corner of a room. Mist them for a few days until you find signs of budding. The closer they are to their natural bloom time, the quicker they'll start budding-out indoors. Some bloom in only a week while others take several weeks.

7. Once the branches have burst into bloom, use them in an arrangement with bright spring tulips. Enjoy!

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