Who said we have to wait until spring to enjoy fresh blooms? There are many early blooming plants that you can bring inside and start enjoying the blooms Right now.
Here are some easy tips on How to Force Blooms for Winter Flowers. Forsythia, Quince and Fruit Blossoms are among my favorite.
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So grab your pruning shears and let’s get started and bring the outside in.
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When to Force Blooms
January & February are perfect months to bring those bare branches inside and watch them bloom.
I’ve had great success with forsythia, quince and most fruit stems. This includes, peach, plums & cherry stems.
Most early blooming plants set their buds in the fall. They then need to be dormant for at least 6 weeks prior to forcing.
All you need is to cut the branches and keep them moist until you are ready to arrange the stems.
Once you are ready to arrange, you will want to make a fresh angled cut to the stem. If the stem is woody, you will want to either cut upward into the stem or gently crush the stem. Cut off any branches that would be inside the container under water.
Next fill your container with fresh water and arrange your stems.
Replace the water every few days to keep the stems from molding.
Forced Stems and Forced Bulbs
In addition to forcing stems to bloom, you can also add bulbs to planters. Daffodils, Paperwhites and Tulips are all beautiful mixed with stems in Winter.
Place Stems in a Warm Spot to Speed Forcing
Keep your arrangement in a warm area of your home. To speed up the process, you can place in a warm window that receives a lot of sunshine.
After one week of forcing the blooms we are starting to see a few yellow buds.
After just 2 weeks and 3 days, the stems are really filling in with blooms. There are still several buds ready to open soon.
Forced Blooms from Previous Seasons
Here you can see forced Forsythia blooms from last winter.
Here you can see plum blooms mixed with a button bush stem.
A great way to use forced blooms is to mix them with your seasonal décor.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.
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Wonderful idea. I think that I will head out and trim some branches today. Thank you so much.
Right on! I hope your.post today encourages others to.plunder the area for branches that.make a free bouquet and makes them smile. I haven’t tried apple but will today!!!!
My paper.whites are blooming.in the sun porch. I need everything available to get me to spring in Delaware. Thanks again.
What is next?
Ethel,
I agree the winter months can be trying. I have to bring some fresh spring feels inside.
Renae,
I’m so glad you found this helpful.
Beautiful!
Rebecca,
I’m so glad you like this.
Rachel this was so helpful! I love the look of forced branches…excited to try this!
Kelly,
I can’t wait to see how they turn out.
Rachel
What a great idea, Rachel! Who couldn’t use some pretty blooms and color to help get us through these gloomy winter days.
Jen,
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Rachel
This was so informative Rachel! Such a great idea!
Ana,
Thanks for stopping by.
Wow, I didn’t know there was such a thing, Rachel! Perhaps that’s because I don’t have the right kind of plants around to do this. You’ve inspired me to look for them, though! How lovely to have blooms in winter. Pinned!
Crissy,
I hope you find some. Rachel
I have always wanted to do this, but not sure if I have trees around my area (or that are available to me) to get cuttings from. When you say ‘dormant’, do you mean you have to wait to cut them for 6 weeks after the buds appear? (Pinned)
Julie
I’m no expert but I think it means after all the leaves are gone. In the late fall most plant stop growing and are considered dormant. I hope this helps.
My mom did this every winter and I loved watching the blooms appear. Just the other day I was trying to think of a Forsythia bush in my neighborhood that I could clip to do this. I love getting free flowers to use in my home.
Paula,
Thanks for stopping by. I do this almost every year. Love the first blooms of Spring.
This is such useful information Rachel. I love forsythia blooms in winter/early spring.