{"id":90,"date":"2013-11-04T14:39:12","date_gmt":"2013-11-04T20:39:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/?page_id=90"},"modified":"2025-03-05T13:14:53","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T19:14:53","slug":"how-to-force-branches-for-spring-bloom","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/how-to-force-branches-for-spring-bloom\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Force Branches for Spring Bloom"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It takes just minutes to bring spring indoors a few weeks early. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“Forcing” is such an intimidating word for a process that’s so fun and easy. Basically, forcing flowers just means cutting some branches from spring-flowering shrubs and then bringing them inside where it’s nice and warm so that they go into bloom a few weeks early. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good candidates for forcing include:<\/strong>
Apple
Pussy willow
Cherry
Forsythia
Quince
Plum
Redbud
Magnolias
Honeysuckle
Mock orange<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditional wisdom on forcing suggests you soak all the branches in a tub (a bathtub, if they’re really long) of cold water overnight or for several hours. This is helpful, but I haven’t found mine always need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What time of year you choose to force branches depends on the type of branch. As a rule, I like to force branches 2 to 4 weeks or so before they’d normally bloom.  Look for buds just starting to form on the shrub. In late February I can force very early bloomers such as forsythia and pussy willow and in March I can force cherry, plum, apple, and redbud. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In April, you can force later bloomers, like lilac, azaleas, rhododendrons, and spirea, but frankly, by that time, I already have so many garden flowers I’m just not interested!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that any branches you cut are “pruning cuts” that affect the overall shape of the plant, so make the cuts with care. If you need a quick review on pruning, click here<\/a> for the basics and here<\/a> for pruning small trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please do not use content from this site without express permission from The Iowa Gardener. Click here<\/a> to request permission<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It takes just minutes to bring spring indoors a few weeks early. “Forcing” is such an intimidating word for a process that’s so fun and easy. Basically, forcing flowers just means cutting some branches from spring-flowering shrubs and then bringing them inside where it’s nice and warm so that they go into bloom a few […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1820,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,3],"tags":[86,25,87],"class_list":["post-90","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-information-for-iowa-gardeners","category-flowers","tag-branches","tag-flowers","tag-forsythia"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Force Branches for Spring Bloom - The Iowa Gardener<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Forcing branches is a wonderful way to enjoy beautiful flowers from your garden weeks earlier.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theiowagardener.com\/wordpress\/how-to-force-branches-for-spring-bloom\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Force Branches for Spring Bloom - 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