Forcing Forsythia

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4950322009130716236.post-62129133775128333602008-01-15T08:47:00.000-08:002008-04-11T11:09:47.623-07:00Forcing Forsythia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zj8oFGX8I/AAAAAAAAAaY/1-eaO1aWoEE/s1600-h/word.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zj8oFGX8I/AAAAAAAAAaY/1-eaO1aWoEE/s400/word.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155746304122838978" /></a> The vibrant yellow forsythia, which blooms here at the end of the April, is always a sign of spring. In January, I like to bring some branches inside and watch them slowly bloom. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsH4FGYAI/AAAAAAAAAa4/R_8m10dnry4/s1600-h/cut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsH4FGYAI/AAAAAAAAAa4/R_8m10dnry4/s320/cut.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155755293489389570" /></a> Cut stems on a diagonal. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsYIFGYCI/AAAAAAAAAbI/6sHhhZ4vGeo/s1600-h/pound1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsYIFGYCI/AAAAAAAAAbI/6sHhhZ4vGeo/s320/pound1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155755572662263842" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsVIFGYBI/AAAAAAAAAbA/OIr7YCC_BiU/s1600-h/pound2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_B7gY6DksAuw/R4zsVIFGYBI/AAAAAAAAAbA/OIr7YCC_BiU/s320/pound2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155755521122656274" /></a> Pound the ends with a hammer or a rock. This will help the woody stems absorb water. I covered an old catalog with a plastic bag to protect the table. Place in a jar of water or a vase. I don't always do it but it's a good idea to change the water every week to keep it fresh.Susan Kapuscinski Gaylordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10174952588173490738noreply@blogger.com