How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas
by Barb Brookbank
"I came across some hydrangeas the other day while out shopping. There were four in the package and although they looked fresh, they appeared to be scrunched up a bit. After humming and hawing for 10 minutes, I finally decided to shell out the ridiculously low price of $8.00 (it’s almost a crime, really) and just get them."
"I came across some hydrangeas the other day while out shopping. There were four in the package and although they looked fresh, they appeared to be scrunched up a bit. After humming and hawing for 10 minutes, I finally decided to shell out the ridiculously low price of $8.00 (it’s almost a crime, really) and just get them."
"When I got home, I had to do a little research on how to care for these amazing flowers. I knew enough to re-cut the stems (on a slant), but what I didn’t know was... that they are the most water-lovin’ flowers you will ever find!
So here’s what you do:
Cut the bottom of the stems off while under water (use garden shears) – this prevents a bubble from forming and hindering the uptake of water
- poke several holes up and down in the stem with a needle (I used a nail)
- fill a vase to the brim with cold, cold water – add a handful of ice cubes! isn’t that weird? but apparently hydrangeas love cold water
- add the flower food that is usually included – if you don’t have flower food you can use
1 Tbs. sugar and 1 tsp. bleach
- add the hydrangeas and let them fall into place
- spritz the flower heads with more water"
So here’s what you do:
Cut the bottom of the stems off while under water (use garden shears) – this prevents a bubble from forming and hindering the uptake of water
- poke several holes up and down in the stem with a needle (I used a nail)
- fill a vase to the brim with cold, cold water – add a handful of ice cubes! isn’t that weird? but apparently hydrangeas love cold water
- add the flower food that is usually included – if you don’t have flower food you can use
1 Tbs. sugar and 1 tsp. bleach
- add the hydrangeas and let them fall into place
- spritz the flower heads with more water"
"After following all these directions, I was rewarded with big fluffy blooms that lasted for days and days!"
Article by: Barb Brookbank - Keeping With The Times/blog
http://www.keepingwiththetimes.com/2013/01/how-to-care-for-freshly-cut-hydrangeas.html