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Table of Contents Before winter has gone and the warm days of early spring causeour early-flowering shrubs to mature some very interesting flowersmay be developed indoors on twigs of such plants. These flowers,the harbingers of spring, may be developed almost as well indoors asout of doors at a later date on the plants. The reason for such normaldevelopment under abnormal conditions is that the flowers, completein miniature form, lie within the existing flower buds ready to burstforth when given sufficient heat and moisture. When forcing cut stems of hard wooded ornamental plants inwater in winter or early spring, the best results are secured by followinga few simple rules. When flowers are desired, select branches of plantswhich produce flowers from buds formed the previous year. Other-wise, only leaves will result, which of course are sometimes desirableas an addition to the flowers of other sorts. Since all the flowers andleaves which will appear must come from buds already upon the twigsand branches be careful to cut only branches containing plump, fullbuds, especially when flowers are desired. It is possible to cut thesebranches at any time from February to April. After cutting thebranches care must be taken to keep them from drying out and it isoften well worth while to soak the whole twigs for a few hours in warmwater, both before starting to force them and occasionally afterward atintervals of a week. This will loosen the bud scales, soften the wholefibre of the twig, and remove dust, thus taking the place of springshowers. The twigs should be from twelve to thirty inches long andplaced in fairly large receptacles with plenty of water. The watershould be changed every second or third day and should have smallpieces of charcoal added in order to help keep it sweet. Each two orthree days it is advisable to make fresh cuts at the bottom ends of thetwigs and it is often worth while to wash the cut ends in mild soap andwater to prevent sliminess. |
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