Friday, March 11, 2011

Have you tried forcing yet?

A couple weeks ago I cut a few branches from a magnolia tree and now we have blooms!


Forcing branches is really easy to do. After you bring your branches of choice inside, get your container ready and fill with cool water.


Give them another clean cut and create a slit in the cut end of your branches about three inches long to make sure they take in enough water.


Depending on how close they are to their natural bloom time will determine how long it might take for them to bloom. I cut mine early so I had to wait a while.


This is what they looked like when I first brought them in.


The last thing you need to do is change the water every few days and enjoy. I hope you have a fabulous weekend, spring is on its way!

20 comments:

  1. I saw a small tree in my yard today that had little flower buds on it and I thought maybe I would cut a few branches. I think it may be something that blew into my yard and took root, because I don't remember planting it! lol! I'll wait for it to get warmer and follow your directions. Your branches and blooms are lovely!

    XO,
    Janie

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  2. As soon as I begin to see buds, I want to try it. Thanks for telling us how.

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  3. I have done this before, however this year our blooms came waaay too early! Just hoping we don't get another cold snap before spring is here to stay for good.

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  4. Oh that is awesome! Love the blushing shade of pink!

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  5. You are so lucky! We still have snow on the ground and no sign of life outside yet. I know it's coming and can't wait! Thanks for sharing your "forcing" tips - I look forward to trying it! Have a great weekend, Londen.
    -Lisa

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  6. So pretty! That reminds me, I better get out and prune my fruit trees this weekend. I think I'm kinda late. Blooming branches are so gorgeous indoors!!

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  7. Those are the prettiest magnolias i've ever seen...what a beautiful shade of pink. The only thing we have blooming here is POLLEN! When we went to Orlando last weekend Tommy stopped me from trying to cut branches from the trees in the park...they were so pretty! LOL So the only branches I have in the house are fake ones..(sigh) Yours are gorgeous...And the first picture, you could have framed it's so pretty!

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  8. Hm,I have a magnolia bush right out front, this is a great idea. YOurs looks so pretty and I love the graceful flower they have.

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  9. thanks for the tips...I think I have to wait just a bit longer as I'm assuming you should at least have buds?

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  10. Great idea....now I just need to find some blooming branches to snip. Hmmm....my neighbors in this subdivision should have something...surely. :)

    Cheers~
    e

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  11. Thank you for the tutorial! I had no idea you could do this!
    Melissa

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  12. I'm thinking about what in the HELL I can cut and bring into the house. I am DYING for green/color/anything other than grey and brown.

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  13. I've never tried it but want to next spring. All of our stuff is blooming right now.
    You had left a comment on my post about selling our house next door to move to the current one. You asked why we moved..yes I loved that french eclectic house but it just did not work for us as it was. We wanted to add on the back but after meeting with 3 contractors who would not take the job because of it being in a historic district and they did not want to deal with the hoops one must jump through - the house next door came up for sale and it had all the room we needed and then some. So, we sold it. We loved living there and updating it like we did but we love it where we are more.
    tammy

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  14. Great advice about the branches! I just brought in some cherry blossoms yesterday, so perfect timing!! : ) Hope you're doing well, Londen! xo

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  15. Hi! Sorry haven't been by in awhile! I love this post and have always wondered how to do this. I am going to give it a try! Cannot wait to see your hallway when it is done! Good luck!

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  16. These look stunning! What an excellent idea to have an arrangement with some longevity, and for free from your own garden. I like them even before they bloom, but oh those Magnolia flowers are truly stunning! You've arranged them beautifully.

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  17. I love those branches!! Did not know u could do that!

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  18. I like how you take something from nature and make it beautiful in your own home.

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