As an old and almost forgotten Christmas tradition, the branches of the cherry tree or other early bloomers are cut on Saint Barbara's Day. With a bit of luck, they'll bloom on Christmas morning. Learn how to get the buds to bloom in winter here.
How do I make Barbara branches bloom at Christmas?
Cut a cherry branch on Saint Barbara's Day and place it in lukewarm water overnight. The next day place the branchbright and warmin a vase withfresh water and change it twice a week.
When do you cut Barbara branches so that they bloom at Christmas?
So that the branches bloom on Christmas morning, they are cut exactlyon December 4th, St. Barbara's Day. This means that the buds have exactly 21 days to collect enough energy for flower formation. The warmth in the interior simulates spring, so that the plant is stimulated to bloom.
How to cut Barbara branches for beautiful flowers?
When cutting, you should choose branches with a particularlylots of buds. You should cut off the bottom ones that are in the vase water. You should also cut theinterface at an angle This will allow the branch to absorb more water and adequately supply the flower buds.
Which plants produce the most beautiful flowers as Barbara branches?
Traditionally,cherry branchesare cut on St. Barbara's Day. Depending on the species, they bloom white and pink. However, numerousother early bloomers are also suitable and bring different colors into your home with their flowers. The blood plum, for example, also has pink flowers. Forsythia, broom and cornelian cherry blossom yellow. Ornamental currants, on the other hand, bloom red and blackthorn bloom white.
Why don't the Barbara branches bloom?
The following care errors are the most common reasons:
- The branches were exposed to hot and dry heating air. This causes the buds to fall off.
- The vase water was not changed regularly. As a result, the water begins to rot, the plant becomes sick and no longer has any energy for flowering.
Why are Barbara branches made to bloom?
The tradition of the Barbara branches is based on anold legendSaint Barbara lived in Turkey around 300 AD. Her father had her imprisoned and sentenced to death because of her Christian faith. According to legend, in the hustle and bustle of the arrest, cherry branches got caught in her dress. In the dungeon, she regularly moistened the branches with water. Exactly on Christmas morning, the day of her death, the flowers opened. Nowadays the custom is said to bring the owner good luck in the New Year.
Tip
How do you make Barbara branches bloom without frost?
A certain hormone in most domestic plants ensures that they do not bloom in winter. Only with sufficient frost and subsequent sustained warmth is the hormone broken down and allows flowering. If there was no frost at the beginning of December, you can put the branches in the freezer for two days.
