Force a little spring while winter winds blow

By Pam Baytos

OSU Ext. master gardener volunteer

‘Tis the season for amarylllis, little pots of miniature daffodils, paperwhites and other bulbs to be “forced” to grow indoors in the winter months. You’ve probably had a pot or two of these out-of-season beauties to liven up the dreary days of winter. Some bulbs require a chilling period to mimic winter hibernation, but amaryllis and paperwhites are warm-weather natives, so now’s the time to plant them for winter bloom.

I especially like these for Valentine’s Day when I need a sign that spring is on its way! You can plant them in pots with a soil-less mix, a vase with glass marbles – I even have a set of bulb vases made just for growing and displaying forced bulbs.

You can coax many flowering shrubs and trees into late-winter bouquets as well. Most perennial spring blossoms require a period of cold dormancy before they bloom. By the end of January, most early spring-blooming shrubs and trees are getting ready to break out of their winter dormancy and can be brought inside and sweet-talked into blooming.

As a rule of thumb, early outdoor bloomers do best. They’ll have the first buds, something you’ll need to see before you cut your branches. Look for an abundance of plump flower buds (not flat leaf buds). Branches near the top of the shrub will probably have the most. Wait for a warm, sunny day when temperatures have been above freezing for a few days. Cut branches at an angle for a larger surface area to soak up water. Prune thoughtfully so your plant won’t miss the branches you cut (and it doesn’t look funny when it starts blooming in spring).

Place your branches in warm water for a few hours to help coax them from dormancy. While holding them under water (to keep air from clogging the stems), recut the branches at 1 inch above the first cut, then slit the ends of the branches to make it easier for them to “drink” water. Sterilize a large container to discourage bacterial growth. Fill the container with clean water, add the cut branches, and place in a cool room (60-65 degrees) away from direct sunlight.

Blooms will take one to eight weeks to show flowers. Mist the branches and check the water daily, add water as needed and change the water when it becomes even slightly cloudy. As soon as you see the buds begin to swell and open, move it to a warmer spot away from direct sunlight.

My suggestions: January: cut cherry, forsythia and plum; February: Pussy willow (remove the hard covers from the buds), quince; March: Apple, dogwood, lilac; You can also try azalea, beautybush, honeysuckle, redbud, serviceberry, spirea, viburnum.