Forcing Stems of Spring Flowering Shrubs; Caring for Cut Tulips

When the calendar says spring but your yard and garden still say winter and snow, then any sign of spring will be a welcome addition to your home.

You can bring spring indoors by cutting stems of spring flowering shrubs and bringing them into your home where the flowers will open in their new warm environment. It is relatively easy to force stems to flower early by following some easy steps.

Included in the garden calendar for March 2009 on the University of Minnesota website was this brief "how-to" for forcing stems, written by David C. Zlesak, University of Minnesota Extension Educator:

"Are you ready for some spring blooms? Consider cutting and bringing in some stems for forcing of early spring flowering shrubs like forsythia, pussy willow, and flowering almond. Stems of these shrubs have flower buds already developed and they are ready to quickly grow and develop in a warm environment after receiving their chilling requirement over winter. Treat cut stems like standard cut flowers by changing the water frequently and using floral preservative. Once the flowers begin to appear, their life can be extended by keeping them in a cooler portion of the house, out of direct sunlight, and away from drafts."

The U of M Extension Service website

This website is an authoritative source of all kinds of helps for individuals. On it you will find articles and advice classified under the headings of agriculture, community, environment, family, garden and youth.

Kowalski's Markets in the Twin Cities area

The upscale Kowalski's Markets includes advice and tips on many topics on their website. Their website is always very colorful and up-to-date, with many articles included of a seasonal nature.

An article that was posted on the Kowalski's Markets website on 3/01/11 provided an easy-to-follow summary of the process of forcing stems and included a listing of flowering shrubs or trees from which to take cuttings.

They suggested trying cuttings from the following flowering shrubs or trees: redbud; Japanese or flowering quince; flowering dogwood; vernal witch hazel; hawthorn; forsythia; honeysuckle; saucer magnolia; star magnolia; apple and crabapple; flowering almond, cherry and plum; European pussy willow; spirea; lilac and viburnum.

To view the helpful article from Kowalski's Markets for more information on the method of forcing flowers on stems of spring flowering shrubs, click here.

Tulips are another harbinger of spring

Another helpful new posting on the Kowalski's Markets website is an article entitled: Tulips...A Sure Sign of Spring.

By following their simple tips you can keep cut tulips beautiful when you bring them into your home. Besides the general care tips for cut tulips that are in the article, here is an interesting bit of information that they included:

"Tulips continue to grow in the vase, gaining an inch in height or more. You will also notice that they twist and bend toward sources of light, giving them a different look every day. Take advantage of their spontaneous nature and combine them with forsythia, pussy willows and curly willow for an interesting arrangement."

The official date for spring is March 20, 2011; however, you can have spring in your home even earlier if you follow some of these tips for bringing in and forcing flowers on stems of spring flowering shrubs. And keep in mind the beauty provided by having a vase of tulips on your kitchen table or counter!

Sources:
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/efans/ygnews/2009/03/garden_calendar_for_march.html
http://www.extension.umn.edu/
http://kowalskismarkets.com/news/seasonal/bring-spring-indoors.html
http://kowalskismarkets.com/news/seasonal/tulips-sure-sign-of-spring.html