One of the most captivating symbols of spring is the delicate beauty of cherry blossoms. Watching tight green buds explode into fluffy white blooms is just magical. Their fleeting beauty is a visual celebration of nature’s renewal. But what if you could enjoy this beautiful spectacle indoors, even outside the traditional cherry blossom season?
Here’s how to bring a touch of spring into your home by “forcing” buds to open early indoors. Other spring blooming buds will work as well, think forsythia, crab apples, tulip magnolias, witch hazel, quince and service berry. In fact the first blog post I ever wrote was inspired by Quince Branches that I annually bring inside to bloom.
Choose branches that are a least a foot long and have plenty of plump, green buds on them. Flower buds will be larger than leaf buds. My friend was pruning his tree, so I lucked out in this case and was able to take as many bud~laden branches as I could carry.
You can also find branches at Trader Joe’s, markets, grocery stores and wholesale florists. The more mature the buds, the better the chances of successful blooming indoors.
After you bring the branches inside here’s how to process the branches for forcing: Begin by cutting the ends of the branches at a 45-degree angle using a sharp knife or pruning shears. This ensures they can absorb the maximum amount of water. Also cut off any damaged branches and the small branches that will be below the waterline of your arrangement. This also allows the main branches to drink up more water. You can use the shorter twigs to make a smaller arrangement for your kitchen or powder room.
Choose a vase or container large enough to hold the branches and provide ample support. I love having a grand display of the tallest possible branches in a footed antique silver trophy on a table in my stair well, so I can watch the drama gently unfold each time I walk by.
Fill your vessel with fresh, cool water. If the vessel isn’t supportive enough you can use tape to create a “grid” to support the branches. Crumpled chicken wire or a floral frog can also help you to position the branches to your liking. This will help keep the arrangement stable as the branches begin to bloom.
You can affect the timing of how quickly the flowers open. The ideal temperature for blooming is between 60°F and 70°F (15°C-21°C). For a slower bloom keep the arrangement in indirect sunlight, away from drafts or heat sources like radiators or vents.
If you’re looking to speed up the process, place the branches in a warmer, sunnier environment for a day or two. Also, if they’re blooming too quickly, and you want them to last for an event put them in a cooler, darker location {or outdoors}.
Overtime, the buds will begin to swell and eventually burst into full bloom.
Keep the water level in the vase topped up to ensure the branches remain hydrated. Cherry blossoms drink a lot of water during the forcing process, so it’s important to check the water daily.
Additionally, you can lightly mist the flowers with water to increase humidity and prolong the bloom.
Then sit back and watch the beauty of nature unfold right before your eyes.
If any of the blossoms start wilting, cut back the dead stems to keep it looking fresh and promote growth.
When your blossoms have fully bloomed, you’ll have a stunning natural display of springtime beauty inside your home.
Do you have anything blooming in your yard that you can bring inside? I’d love to hear about it, please leave a comment below.
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