Ok, I am trying to keep an open mind. This morning (January 27th) Jeff told me he saw on the news yesterday that so far, the last 26 days, there has been 18 days with below zero temps. That's getting to be a bit much. Granted a few of the days were a balmy -5 or -10, but the wind chills were in the -30 to -40 range. Thats flipping cold!
Whats a gardener to do? Move to Reno? Not likely.
Instead we get tough and begin forcing things to bloom inside. Bulbs like daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, absolutely. Purchased in the fall, stored in a refrigerator crisper drawer for 6 - 8 weeks, then potted up in regular potting soil and placed in the sunshine provides us with a hint of whats to come - months from now. It only takes a couple weeks and voila! a hint of spring.
Thats great if you planned ahead and purchased bulbs and stored them. If you didn't, do not despair, there are other ways to get your garden jones...force branches.
Branches? Yes, branches from apple trees, crabapples, forsythia, willow, cherry trees...you get the idea. Even if the shrub or tree doesn't bloom, small tender green leaves are a welcome respite from the frigid temps outside.
What you need are some key ingredients, pruned branches and a container of water. Most leave and flower buds are formed in the fall. What that means to us is these pruned branches have everything they need except warmth and water - we can provide that! So place your cut branches in water, put in a fairly sunny area and stand back and enjoy! If the room they are in is a little on the cooler side, it will take a bit longer to bud out, but then they will stay longer too. Figure a good couple weeks in average room temp to get them to blossom stage.
A hint -don't ask how I know this. When you are looking for a container to display the branches, remember that a good stable base will help keep everything upright. The branches will be heavy so container sturdiness is a virtue.
Have fun!
The View from my Kitchen
6 years ago
