Pruning branches from fruit trees on December 4th, the feast day of Saint Barbara, can make them bloom at Christmas. We tell you how.
The Christmas season is associated with many characteristic smells and aromas. Flowering branches are not necessarily included. But if you don't forget to cut fresh branches on Barbara's Day, December 4th, you can be surprised by a miracle of blossoms on Christmas morning. However, in order for Barbara branches to really flourish, you have to pay attention to a few things.
What are barbara branches?
Barbara branches are the branches of fruit trees that are cut on December 4th, the memorial day of St. Barbara. Placed in a vase in a warm room, the branches should open their blossoms at Christmas.
The pruning of barbara branches is an old, almost forgotten tradition. If the blossoms open on Christmas morning, this is said to bring luck and blessings for the coming year. As a look at the history books reveals, this custom was actively cultivated in the past. In Bavaria, people went so overboard that they put up whole Barbara trees. The branches were then decorated with nuts and apples and could take up entire room walls. In the 18th century, the Margrave of Bayreuth forbade the erection of the Barbara trees.
What tradition is associated with the Barbara branches?
The custom goes back to Barbara of Nicomedia. They converted to Christianity in the fourth century. She was then imprisoned and executed by her father. When she was taken to prison, a cherry branch got stuck on her clothes. Saint Barbara soaked the branch with water and it blossomed on the day of her execution. The merciless father was struck by lightning soon after.
Barbara Branches have even formed the basis for various oracles in the past. These were related to marriage or harvest. Small pieces of paper with wishes are still attached to the branches today. Whichever branch blossoms first, its wish will come true.
What branches can be used?
The traditionfollowing barbara branches of cherry trees are cut. As a rule, however, the custom works with all plants that get buds relatively early. These include:
- Forsythia
- Plums
- Ginster
- Almond Tree
- Cornelian
- Sloe
- Witch Hazel
- Winter Jasmine
The branches of lilac or apple trees appear less promising. In addition, you should always take a closer look at the shoots. Thick and rounded buds indicate flowers, for example. Slender buds, on the other hand, usually only develop leaves. With birch, hazelnut or willow, the sight is still very attractive.
Tip:
Make sure that there are many buds on the Barbara branch and use a sharp tool to make clean cuts and not damage the plant will.
How to make barbara branches bloom
Anyone who cuts their branches on time and waits in vain for the hoped-for blossoms at Christmas has probably not de alt intensively enough with the biology of the plants. Because for buds to appear at all, there must be frost. In our latitudes, however, this is not always the case at the beginning of December. If there has not yet been a frost, the branches must be exposed to a cold stimulus. And it works like this:
You can trick nature by leaving the freshly cut branches in the freezer overnight. After 14 hours at the latest, you can take the Barbara branches out of the freezer and cut them diagonally. The branches should stand in lukewarm water the next night. You can then arrange the branches in a jug or flower vase and use water at normal temperature.
Barbara branches bloom even more beautifully at Christmas
➮ Change water regularly:
Make sure the branches always have enough water available. The water in the vase should also be completely replaced every three to four days.
Also: You will get particularly fresh and juicy buds if you supply the Barbara branches with lime-free water from the plant sprayer every day.
➮ choose the right location:
The location of the branches is also important. The branches can dry out in an overheated room. A stand in the immediate vicinity of the heating is therefore not ideal. However, the branches can also be made to bloom in a cooler room, as it is well known that spring is rarely very hot.
Interesting video for Barbara Day:
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