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My friend, who lives on the Wet Coast, e-mailed to say she just finished pruning her plum tree and was going to force the branches inside for early blooming. I don't know why she needs early blooming but I know we sure do.
Here, if we can get through the snow to our flowering trees and shrubs, whatever pruning need to be done should be done by the end of February, early March. I pruned a branch off my flowering crab this week and the bark was not yet slipping but I've noted some trees with swelling buds.
Early flowering trees and shrubs make good candidates for forcing. Cut long (2 to 3 foot) branches, trim off the lower twigs and re-cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stems. Plunge cuttings into a bucket of warm water sweetened with floral preservative or 7-Up. Store in a cool room away from heat registers and direct sunlight until flowers start appearing. Change water every 5 to 7 days. Arrange branches in large heavy vases and enjoy an early spring inside.
Double flowering plum, flowering crab and forsythia are good to try. If you can reach some pussy willows, these are a great addition to your early spring arrangements and surely help to bring spring inside.
The Valley Neighbours Garden Club meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. For information call Susan at 403 – 933 – 7675. The Horticultural Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. For information call Sheila at 403 – 931 – 3989.
Here, if we can get through the snow to our flowering trees and shrubs, whatever pruning need to be done should be done by the end of February, early March. I pruned a branch off my flowering crab this week and the bark was not yet slipping but I've noted some trees with swelling buds.
Early flowering trees and shrubs make good candidates for forcing. Cut long (2 to 3 foot) branches, trim off the lower twigs and re-cut an inch or two off the bottom of the stems. Plunge cuttings into a bucket of warm water sweetened with floral preservative or 7-Up. Store in a cool room away from heat registers and direct sunlight until flowers start appearing. Change water every 5 to 7 days. Arrange branches in large heavy vases and enjoy an early spring inside.
Double flowering plum, flowering crab and forsythia are good to try. If you can reach some pussy willows, these are a great addition to your early spring arrangements and surely help to bring spring inside.
The Valley Neighbours Garden Club meets every third Tuesday of the month at 7:00pm. For information call Susan at 403 – 933 – 7675. The Horticultural Club meets every second Tuesday of the month at 7:30pm. For information call Sheila at 403 – 931 – 3989.
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