FORCING SPRING BLOOMS...

My Dad always used to force buds to bloom in the spring so that he could draw them.  He was very successful with Forsythia branches and Maple leaves.  I have had more fun watching an unidentified tree twig from my neighbor's yard with blooms emerging.  It may be a Japanese Magnolia but I could not find the furry hulls covering the blossom on line or in any of the books I have. 

This is what it looked like when I first picked it and put it in water on my kitchen counter.  The buds are huge!

Who knew that the furry 3 petaled hull was hiding a beautiful pink blossom!

It has been such a thrill to see the blossom emerging at last.  In searching for the species I learned that they may be propagated by rooting the branch.  I hope mine will root.  My daughter told me to dip it in Cinnamon as that is an ingredient in root toning products.  I will try it.

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