One week ago today, on that warm Jan 10th, I toured my roof garden aching for signs of spring. There was one tattered white hellebore in bloom and FLOWER BUDS swelling on the quince. Don't tell a soul, but I couldn't resist. I 'pruned' two small branches. Of course the shrub is a dwarf variety and thus small by nature.
For indoor forcing, I like to mist stems with warm water before placing in a vase with warm water, then place in a warm room with bright light. One week later the buds are swelling to the 'popcorn' stage and I can see a little color.
Before too long, maybe another week, I expect some bloom, maybe like this.
Cut any shrub or tree to force that blooms before leafing, like quince, forsythia, apple, cherry or crab. Do it now to help you last through the rest of the winter. And don't forget to change the water every few days.
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2 comments:
Now that we're at regular winter temps, forced blooms are key! I may have to snip a branch or two of my winter honeysuckle or prunus mume to bring inside.
Love those winter flowering shrubs!
Hey Jim, Winter honeysuckle is one I didn't know and had to look up. Thanks for the tip.
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