Beaux R'eves

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Forcing Forsythia Branches

It is getting to be that time during Winter 
where I am a tad tired of it all.  
Now granted, we have had a mild winter 
and even had temps in the 70's yesterday. 
So, I am not complaining.  
OK, well I AM complaining just a little.  
I miss green grass and blooming trees 
and flowers in the yard. 
So you can imagine how happy I was 
when we were at Costco the other day 
and I saw Forsythia 
branches in their floral section.  
Mr. Beaux was across the aisle and I happily declared 
"Forsythia!"  
He looked at me all quizzical 
and so I said it again as I held up the branches.  
"Forsythia"  
He thought I was saying 
"For Cynthia"  
He thought I had lost my mind (very possible) 
 and that I was now referring to myself in the third person.   
And using my formal name to boot!  
I explained that I was excited about the 
For-Syth-ia 
branches that I had found.  
He looked at the bundle of branches 
and then at me and then back at the branches...  
Yep, he was certain that I had lost my mind!  
"Why would you want to buy some sticks?"  
I had to explain that they would bloom 
and little flowers would emerge.  
The Costco worker up at the checkout 
had the same thoughts as Mr. Beaux...  
"Nice sticks you got there"  
"Don't you like flowers?"  
They both teased me the whole time we were checking out!  
Well, who will be laughing a week from now?  
Oh who am I kidding, guys just don't understand 
but I know you DO!
I put them in my new Pottery Barn Vases 
on either side of the fireplace in the Hearth Room. 
I used a clear vase with water on the inside of each pot.   
You can see a few flowers already blooming.
Ahhhhhhh, Like Spring indoors!  
I can't wait for all of the flowers to bloom!
Google

If you are lucky enough to have a Forsythia bush 
now would be a good time to bring in a few branches 
to force inside.  
Make sure that you pick a day that is above freezing 
to clip your branches.  
Place them in a bucket of warm water 
and cut the stems about an inch while they are under water.  
Let them soak up the water for a few hours 
and then change the water.  
Put some floral preservative in your new water 
and cut them again about an inch.  
Now just watch them bloom 
for a bit of Spring Inside!

Until Next Time,
Beaux R'eves
XO

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12 click here to Comment:

Olive said...

No forcing is going to be necessary here because my forsythia hedge is just about to bloom. It is 75 degrees here today but that warm temp may prevent these early blooming flowers from having a lot of blossoms. I hope you enjoy your forsythia.

NanaDiana said...

Oh- I am jealous- We are expecting another winter storm here today and we have fog and a high of 20 tomorrow. I'll trade you three snowballs for one stick!;>) xo Diana

DIYbyDesign said...

It hasn't been above freezing here in days so I don't think I can do it yet. Love your new PB vase!

lynn cockrell said...

Isn't that yellow stunning?! I planted what we call a couple of what we down south call"whips" last year from a bush in the yard of my son-in-law's grandmother. I hope they survive over winter. I hadn't thought much about it until I read your post. Lovely and easy arrangement!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

It's been way to cold here, I'll have to wait until it's gets above freezing and snip a few!! I love forsythia! Yours look so pretty in you PB vase!

Ron said...

I love and miss my forsythia from my Atlanta garden. I may have to get some branches to force bloom. Yours looks great!

Cranberry Morning said...

How fun to have Forsythia in the house! The story about the name reminds me that I was trying to help a friend remember how to pronounce, 'astilbe,' and said, 'A.Still.Bee.' I think she'll remember now. :-) This post reminds me that I need something besides my Christmas cactus blooming (still blooming!!)

debra @ homespun said...

My mom always did that as well as my grandma did forsythia and pussy willow too! It's so nice to have a touch of spring in the house in the winter : ) Yours look so bright and cheery!

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

I don't have any but if I did I wouldn't have to force them!!! I did notice this morning that it looked like dogwoods were blooming across the field! I love your Pottery Barn pieces! Blessings, Tammy

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Becca Bertotti said...

LOL ... I love the Forsythia that you got "for Cynthia!" It's beautiful ... love your PB vase, too! Spring is almost here, right?!

At The Picket Fence said...

I've just started to see signs of Spring around here and I can't wait! Your forsythia is just beautiful and I really want to try my hand at forcing branches this year! :-)
Vanessa

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