Speeding Up Spring~Forcing Forsythia

It's about this time of year 

that I get the Winter Blahs...  

I am tired of looking out the window 

at the bare branches and the gray days...  

I yearn for green and all things Spring!  

When that happens, 

I remember my beautiful Forsythia plant 

that I have on the side yard

It's one of the first things 

to bloom in my yard, 

letting me know that Spring is here...  

Unfortunately, this is what it looks like now...  

But not to worry!  

February is the perfect month 

for Forcing Forsythia.  

Let's trick nature into thinking 

that Spring has arrived 

even though we have a ways to go.  

Step one:  Pick a day that is above freezing 

and go out and cut your branches less than three feet long.  

Step Two:  Place them in a bucket of warm water.  

Now cut another 1/2 inch off under the water.  

Some people like to smash the stems with a hammer, 

you can do that if you like, 

but I like to cut them under the water...

Step Three:  Wait a few hours and change the water.  

When you put the new water in use a floral additive 

or you can make your own.  

Recipe:

1 Quart of warm water

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of bleach

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

Now, cut another 1/2 inch or so off of the stems, 

again under the water.  

Keep the flowers in a sunny place 

to encourage them to bloom.  

In about a week or so 

you will have pretty blooming branches!

It's my favorite thing to do!  

Bringing a little Spring indoors!  

Until Next Time,

Beaux R'eves,

Sharing at:

Between Naps On The Porch

The Scoop

A Stroll Thru Life

Savvy Southern Style

What We Accomplished Wednesday @ Green Willow Pond

Swing Into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design 

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 

French Country Cottage

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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

Linking up to:
 Kim at SavvySouthern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays  

 Judy at DIY by Design

Roeshel  at DIY Showoff    

Stone Gable  Tutorials, Tips, and Tidbits 
 Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Jen at Tatertots and Jello for the Weekend Wrap-up Party

          Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special