Forcing trees to bloom can ease winter blahs

Homeowners with spring-flowering trees or shrubs can force branches of them into early indoor bloom. Serviceberry, magnolia, flowering quince, forsythia, crab apple, flowering pear and other spring bloomers are good choices for adding color to February days.

On a day when temperatures are above freezing, remove only branches that are not essential to the plant's basic shape. Prune sections at least 1 foot long, and lay them in a tub filled with room-temperature water.

Make crosscuts in stem ends or, if the woody ends are thick, smash them with a hammer to allow quick uptake of water. Store branches in a cool room out of direct sunlight, and change the water every other day.

Once buds are showing color, arrange the branches in a decorative vase. To extend blooming, move the vase to a cool room each night. Staggered pruning and using a variety of different plants make it possible to have spring color all month.

Here's what you need to do in the garden this month.

Trees and shrubs

h If trees become covered with ice, let ice on branches melt gradually. Using heavy or sharp objects like shovels risks damaging bark and creating an entry point for diseases or insects.

h Reduce heavy snow load on evergreens by gently sweeping boughs with a broom, then elevating branches from underneath.

h Large ornamental trees and shrubs can be pruned this month, weather permitting. If weather is unusually warm, avoid pruning trees that will "bleed," or discharge large amounts of water, such as elms, maples and birches. Prune these trees only when weather is quite cold or in the summer.

h Fruit trees are best pruned in late February or March.

h Preserve the largest number of flowers by pruning spring-flowering woody plants immediately after they have finished blooming.

h Prune damaged or broken limbs immediately.

Flowering plants

h Some early bulbs like snowdrop, aconite and glory-of-the-snow may bloom this month.

h During periods of unseasonably warm weather, other later flowering bulbs might sprout prematurely, especially if they are planted with a southern exposure, or close to a house or garage. Subsequent cold weather might damage edges of the foliage, but unless the flower bud has appeared, it will not affect future flowering or health of the bulb.

h Check garden beds to be sure plants have not heaved out of the ground. Gently press the crowns of perennials back into the ground but avoid compacting soil by stomping heavily around plants.

Valentine flowers

h Keep cut flowers fresh by placing them in room-temperature water as soon as possible.

h With a sharp knife or pruners, remove 1 inch from each stem with an angled cut. Cutting on an angle increases the surface area for water intake.

h Remove all foliage below water level to keep water fresh.

h Use floral preservative to extend the length of time flowers look fresh. Floral preservatives contain an acid (to neutralize alkaline tap water) and ingredients to discourage bacteria.

h Cut flowers thrive in a cool, humid environment that is out of bright light and away from heating vents. Change water and mist the arrangement daily.

h If roses suddenly develop drooping heads, the cause could be air bubbles trapped in their stems. Float the affected stems in a sink full of warm water. Trim another inch on an angle cut and submerge the cut end for at least 30 minutes. When the flower heads return to a straightened position, place each stem back in the vase.

Indoor plants

h Monitor indoor plants for signs of disease and insect problems. Isolate affected plants and treat once the problem is identified.

h Provide care for amaryllis after they finish blooming. Allow stems to wither before cutting them off the bulb. Keep the pot in a bright, warm spot, out of direct sun, and water as needed. Leaves will continue to grow. When all danger of frost has passed, move the pot outdoors and place in a location protected from afternoon sun. Fertilize the bulb every other week with a liquid 10-10-10 mix to fuel next season's bloom.

h Start seeds for spring- or summer-blooming annuals, vegetables and perennials. Follow directions on individual packets to determine whether each one requires bottom heat, light or darkness to germinate. Some seeds might require a short period of chilling before being sown.