Winter Forcing
Are you loathing the dullness of the Winter surroundings? While only Mother Nature can hurry along Spring, you can bring that cheerful fresh feeling to your home with "forcing". Forcing is a gardening term that refers to making a plant bloom out of its normal season. Forcing is also a fun and easy project for you and your children. For example, the date of Easter varies each year; however, growers of Easter lilies are able to produce blooms at the just right time. Chrysanthemums usually bloom in the Fall; but, you can buy Mums in bloom year round. These beautiful flowers, along with many others, are available by forcing.
The most common plants suitable for forcing are Forsythia, Pussy Willow, Witch Hazel, Quince, Dogwood, Redbud, Deutzia, native Azaleas, Weigela, Honeysuckle, fruit trees, Wisteria, Japanese Magnolia and Spiraea. You can also force non-flowering trees like Red Maples and Willow trees for an interesting effect in arrangements.
Timing is critical. Plants must endure enough cold weather to satisfy their chilling requirements before beginning forcing. February and March are best for the South Georgia area; but, many will be ready as early as January. You need to make sure the branches have flower buds. The fatter buds will form flowers, while the smaller ones will produce only leaves. Forsythia, Spiraea, Redbud, Pussy Willow and Honeysuckle will bloom in about two weeks; others might take up to four weeks. Once you have determined the plants and timing for forcing, we suggest following these steps:
1. Cut the stems in lengths of less than three feet. You can split the cut ends a few inches or scrape the bark to ensure they can absorb more water.
2. Place the stems in a bucket of warm water. A good option is to cut off another inch or so of the stem while it is still submerged in the water. This will keep the cut end of the stem from being exposed to air and interfering with the absorption of water. However, this usually is not necessary with plants that are easily forced.
3. After several hours it will be time to change the water.
4. When you refill, you can put floral preservative in the warm water to decrease the frequency with which you must change the water. You can buy this or make your own using:
- 2 cups lemon-lime carbonated beverage like Sprite or 7-Up and1/2 teaspoon bleach in one quart of water.
- Or a combination of 1 teaspoon sugar and bleach with 2 teaspoons lemon or limejuice in one gallon of water.
5. Place the vase or container in a warm area with bright, but not direct, light.
Bulbs are also easy plants to force for Winter flowers. Paper white Narcissus and Amaryllis bulbs are the easiest because they don't require any chilling. Other bulbs that force well are Crocuses, Daffodils, Tulips, and Hyacinths. These can be placed in gravel and water or simply planted in potting soil. Place the pots in a well-lit, warm area and enjoy the first flowers of spring. We have a number of bulbs for sale at Seasons Garden Center as well as Amaryllis already forced and ready to be enjoyed. Please come by if you have any questions or would like to see our selection.
Amaryllis Daffodils Hyacinth
