How to Force Spring Branches Indoors

Work backward from a bloom week for forsythia, pussy willow, or flowering quince, with a separate chilling check.

Published by ThriveThyme

winter plant care

The Short Answer

Cut branches only after their winter chilling requirement has been met. Purdue specifies at least 8 weeks below 40 F. Its table gives 2 weeks indoors for forsythia and pussy willow and 4 weeks for flowering quince. Iowa State gives a wider 1 to 3 week range for forsythia and pussy willow. These are estimates, not promised bloom dates.

Sources: Purdue Extension, HO-23: Forcing Branches for Winter Color, Iowa State Extension, How to Force Branches of Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs.

Use the season, not just the calendar

Purdue says later winter cuts generally force faster. Iowa State recommends waiting for swelling buds in late winter and gives late February for forsythia and pussy willow in Iowa. These regional dates are not a nationwide start date. The planner uses a chilling completion date you confirm yourself; it does not measure temperatures or establish that chilling has occurred.

Sources: Purdue Extension, HO-23: Forcing Branches for Winter Color, Iowa State Extension, How to Force Branches of Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs.

Choose branches without spoiling the shrub

Look for plump, rounded flower buds rather than narrow, pointed leaf buds. Iowa State recommends clean, slanting cuts 1 to 2 feet from branch tips, choosing material whose removal will not spoil the plant shape. Collect above freezing when possible. If branches are frozen, submerge the entire branch in water for a few hours.

Sources: Iowa State Extension, How to Force Branches of Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs.

Recut and start in warm water

Purdue recommends a fresh slanting cut indoors, then warm water at 110 F no higher than 3 inches on the stems. After 20 to 30 minutes, add more flower preservative solution. Its initial warm-water step is not a recommendation to keep the vase hot. Keep the branches in a partially shaded room at 60 to 65 F.

Sources: Purdue Extension, HO-23: Forcing Branches for Winter Color.

Keep buds from drying out

Iowa State recommends a dim, cool location at 60 to 65 F, misting the branches two or three times daily, and changing the water daily during forcing. When buds begin opening, move them into a bright room out of direct sunlight. A cool display location helps prolong flowering.

Sources: Iowa State Extension, How to Force Branches of Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs.

Read the calculated window cautiously

The planner subtracts the published forcing duration from the first and last days of your chosen seven day bloom week. For forsythia and pussy willow it uses Iowa State's 7 to 21 day range and also shows Purdue's 14 day estimate. For quince it uses Purdue's 28 day estimate. It clips that candidate cutting window at your confirmed chilling completion date. This arithmetic cannot predict individual buds.

Sources: Purdue Extension, HO-23: Forcing Branches for Winter Color, Iowa State Extension, How to Force Branches of Spring-Flowering Trees and Shrubs.

Next Steps

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