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Old February 13th, 2010, 06:18 PM
Chris21711 Chris21711 is offline
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Forcing branches to flower inside.

This year I want to cut some branches off of my Pussy Willow and Crabapple trees and bring them inside to force their flowering, it'll be the first time I try this.

Question: Should I cut them now, or wait a bit longer?
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Old February 13th, 2010, 06:22 PM
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I don't think it really matters as long as they have sufficient light/heat/humidity . I tried that a couple of years ago but Penny just thought I brought chew sticks in the house for her .
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Old February 13th, 2010, 06:39 PM
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Chris I googled it and came up with some stuff..heres one of the links for ya!

http://www.dailywebtv.com/hamilton/a...nches-to-Bloom

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Old February 13th, 2010, 10:53 PM
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You're feeling very energetic this year!! Or are you just pining away for spring m/f?
Got my fingers crossed Winston's method works for you.
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Old February 13th, 2010, 11:24 PM
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I find that the best chance of forcing branches is to cut them once the buds are visible. Then I bring them in, have a vase with room temperature water ready, with 1/3 7-up or sprite mixed in. Then I cut the branches again, dip them in a thin layer of smooth unpasturized honey, and immediately put them in the vase. Then the vase goes in a sunny spot.
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Old February 14th, 2010, 08:39 AM
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Marcha, what does all that sugar do to the branch? I am very curious
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Old February 14th, 2010, 01:30 PM
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It helps the branch to 'think' it's going to root.
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Old February 14th, 2010, 06:07 PM
Chris21711 Chris21711 is offline
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Thanks for the tips y'all...I'm excited to do this


Quote:
Originally Posted by luckypenny View Post
I tried that a couple of years ago but Penny just thought I brought chew sticks in the house for her .


Quote:
Originally Posted by 14+kitties View Post
Or are you just pining away for spring m/f?

Yes

Got my fingers crossed Winston's method works for you.
It does say on there "when the temparature is 10 degrees, is that celcius or fahrenheit?.....thanks for the link Winston

Marcha has done it before, so I might try that route first
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Old February 14th, 2010, 07:50 PM
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You can do it without the honey too, but I find it more hit 'n miss than with the honey.
Regarding F or C... 10F is -12C, which is quite significant frost. Any frost like that will instantly destroy the young buds. I'm sure the article is referring to Celcius.

But if I see a branch with buds, and it's close to freezing, I will transition the branches via the basement (the area in our home that isn't heated to room temperature) for a day. After a day of transition I bring 'm into the house.
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Old February 16th, 2010, 12:57 PM
Chris21711 Chris21711 is offline
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Thanks Marcha...they are forecasting warmer temperatures this week, I think that this week will be the time.....I'm excited
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