Gathering Branches

• Forsythia branches form their spring flower buds during the prior summer and fall seasons. The buds open in the spring after approximately eight weeks of cold temperatures (less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit). Harvest forsythia branches after this time. Choose branches with numerous fat, large and round buds. Gather more branches than you think you will need, since not all of them will produce adequate blooms. Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to cut 2- to 3-foot-long branches, taking care not to damage the shrub.
  
  

Preparation

• Facilitate water absorption by making a star- or cross-shaped cut in the bottom of each forsythia branch. If the branches were cut when outdoor temperatures were below freezing, submerge the branches in cool water first. Leave them there overnight to keep the buds from opening too soon. Remove the branches and place them upright in a large bucket filled with about 3 inches of water. Keep the branches in a cool room, no more than 60 degrees Fahrenheit, until the buds begin to show color. This takes around four to eight days.
  
  

Indoor Care

• Once the buds show emerging color, move the branches to a warmer area with full, but not direct, sunlight. Depending on when the branches were harvested, the forsythia should be in full bloom within one to eight weeks. The closer it gets to its natural bloom time, the quicker the forsythia can be forced. Forsythia blossoms last about a week on average. To prolong the bloom time, move the branches to a cool spot during the evenings.
  
  

Other Branches For Forcing

• Other tree and shrub branches are suitable for forcing, following the same techniques used on forsythia. Force times may vary depending on the type of branches being forced. Some common branches used are flowering dogwood, honeysuckle, pussy willow, magnolia, lilac, spirea and flowering cherry. As a rule, shrub branches are easier to force than tree branches.