Forcing branches to bloom is a real treat and something that everyone should try at least once :) Leaf buds are formed on woody plants in the fall and need at least 6 weeks of cold weather before they can be coaxed out of dormancy. So if your winter weather began in November then by mid to end of January you can start to cut branches to be brought indoors. Buds forced in January generally take 2 1/2 weeks to one month to open but if you wait until to March your buds may only take 1-2 weeks to open.
Below are some of the most popular shrubs for forcing but don't let that deter you if you don't have any of them readily available to you. There are lots of interesting blooms that come out of ordinary shrubs you can find around your yard! You can follow our journey of forcing Wild Cherry blooms HERE :)
(Click on the above photo for info on the photographer or HERE for more info on Flowering Quince ~ Chaenomeles)
(Click HERE for more info on the Pussy Willow ~ Salix discolor)
(Click on the above photo for info on the photographer or HERE to learn more about Forsythia)
(Click on the above photo for info on the photographer or HERE for more info on Witch Hazel ~ Hamamelis)
(Click on the above photo for info on the photographer or HERE for more info on Bridals Wreath ~ Spiraea)
(Click on the above photo for info on the photographer or HERE for more info on Redbud ~ Cercis)
Last night, I saw a speck of reddish pink appear on our branch. I am wondering, with this new information, if we have not had enough winter time to force the magnolia. Although it is making some progress, I think a magnolia might be a bit ambitious to force. We'll see. Is it the warm temperatures or sunlight that it needs or both? I am afraid that we don't get a lot of sunshine inside these days. *grin*
Jenn
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