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We love hydrangeas they bloom so beautiful and full. Working with them is another story, they often wilt easily when used in an arrangement. They have very thick wood-like stem that expels a sticky substance that often clogs the stems, preventing moisture from reaching the blooms. Alaric Flowers is here to give you some of our tried and true techniques that work to get the maximum life out of your hydrangeas,
The Hot Water Method
1. Immediately after cutting each bloom, drop the stem in the water.
2. Boil water and pour it into a cup or any container.
3. Cut the hydrangea stems to the desired length.
4. Stand the stems of the hydrangeas in the hot water for 30 seconds.
5. Immediately put into room temperature water and then arrange.
The Alum Dip Method
1. The alum used in this method can usually be found in the spice section of the grocery store. Occasionally it is found with the pickling supplies.
2. As you arrange the blooms, re-cut the stems and dip the bottom 1/2 inch of stem into powdered alum.
3. Arrange as usual in water.
2. As you arrange the blooms, re-cut the stems and dip the bottom 1/2 inch of stem into powdered alum.
3. Arrange as usual in water.
REVIVING WILTED BLOOMS IN AN ARRANGEMENT:
1. If the water in the arrangement is more than a day old, change it for fresh water before beginning the revival process.
2. Re-cut the stems of the wilted hydrangeas by removing a portion at the bottom.
3. Use the Boiling Water Method: Boil water and pour it into a cup.
4. Stand the stems of the wilted hydrangeas in this water for 30 seconds.
5. Immediately put into room temperature water (this usually means back into the arrangement).
6. If the blooms are not too old, within a couple of hours they will have completely revived. Occasionally, the revival process will take several hours. In most cases, the blooms will look as fresh as the first day.
2. Re-cut the stems of the wilted hydrangeas by removing a portion at the bottom.
3. Use the Boiling Water Method: Boil water and pour it into a cup.
4. Stand the stems of the wilted hydrangeas in this water for 30 seconds.
5. Immediately put into room temperature water (this usually means back into the arrangement).
6. If the blooms are not too old, within a couple of hours they will have completely revived. Occasionally, the revival process will take several hours. In most cases, the blooms will look as fresh as the first day.
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Dunk Method
7. Or you can dunk the entire hydrangea head into cool water
8. Let it soak for 20-30 minutes.
9. Place the stem in fresh water 10. After 24 hours your bloom should be good as new
The maintenance for hydrangeas may seem like a lengthy process but the results are way worth the efforts.
Enjoy your blooms!
