Forsythia to the Ceiling

If these forced branches are any indicator, it's going to be a good year for forsythia flowers. That is if we don't get warm weather and then a freeze like last spring.

Someone needs to change the water.

I'm going to change the water, it'll help to keep the blooms for a longer period of time before they drop.

Loaded branch.

Love the bright yellow color, especially when there's so much white outdoors. If you've got flowering shrubs (pussy willow,  flowering almond, and of couse forsythia) and want to try to get them to bloom indoors, follow these steps: http://amyablegardens.blogspot.com/2011/03/forcing-forsythia.html

Forcing Forsythia

A couple of vigorous forsythia shrubs are planted right next to the driveway and the branches have been scratching our cars since last summer. However I didn't want to trim them until the time was right. (The right time being when I can bring them in after a long winter and force a bloom).



Forsythia, not beer.

 In the beginning of February there was a day that was above freezing. I cut a few branches down to the main stem and took them into the basement. I gave them a new cut under running water, pounded the base of the stem with a mallet and put them in a large pail of water.

There's a hint of yellow - I think.

In the meantime I should have changed the water (but I didn't). Today I noticed a hint of yellow, so I made new cuts, put warm water and the stems in vases, and brought the vases upstairs to where it's warm and sunny.



There should be blooms within a few days.

Update, we got blooms! http://amyablegardens.blogspot.com/2011/03/forsythia-to-ceiling.html