With Easter fast approaching, why not bring a bit of spring indoors. Branches from flowering trees and shrubs can be forced into bloom easily and inexpensively. Flowering branches can bring the outdoors inside and add color during a long winter or a late spring.
Select branches with a large number of flower buds and those that are at least 18 inches long. Once the branches have been cut, bring them indoors and place the stem ends in water immediately. This soaking allows the branches and buds to begin to break dormancy. Following this, place the branches in a bucket of water. Water may need to be changed often to prevent it from becoming foul.
To help the buds open and keep them from drying out, mist branches occasionally during the forcing period. The closer to spring that branches are forced, the shorter the time required until bloom.
