I shared on my Instagram the other day my frustration with my recent hydrangea purchases. I bought one batch at Trader Joe’s and they died about two days later. I had family coming into town and my daughters baptism, so I went back and bought some more. One of the hydrangea heads died the next day and the others followed a day later. I was mad and so bugged! So I aired my frustration and received so many good tips, I had to give it another try and of coarse share with you.
Trader Joes is close to my house and I know they always have my favorites, hydrangeas for a good price. BUT I didn’t know if Trader Joe’s flowers were the problem or my method.
I always cut the flowers at an angle when I get home. If there are leaves that would touch the water, I cut those off.
Many people said to hammer the ends of the stems after trimming them. I know that this helped, the stems are so hard and the water has a hard time getting though the bottom without being opened up.
I tested hydrangeas in three different jars. Some people said to use boiling hot water, others said cold ice water, some room temperature water. So I tested all of them. Also with a bit of Alum powder found down the baking isle.
I had heard from several people to dip the actual flower heads in water. I tried that tip and the hydrangea blossoms just looked like a wet dog and never brightened up again, I am not a fan of that method. I googled it and it said that flowers get water through their blooms and to try misting them with a spray bottle. I liked that method much better and it worked.
To re-cap and to share what worked best of me-
1- Cut flowers at an angle and remove leaves that are in the water.
2- Hammer the ends after cutting to desired length.
3- Place in warm water rather than cold.
4- Add 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon of Alum depending on size of vase.
5- Mist the blooms with a spray bottle of room temperature water and change out the water to warm water when they start to look droopy.
6- Keep hydrangeas in areas that don’t get a lot of direct heat especially in the colder months. Mine do best in my front room that doesn’t have overhead lighting. They don’t do as well in my kitchen with the chandelier and with the heat from cooking.
I couldn’t post about cut flowers without sharing my other favorite, fresh eucalyptus. You can buy a bundle for around $2.50 from Trader Joes and they last for weeks! No testing or wondering how to care for them, they care for themselves, my kind of living thing. If all else fails, stick with eucalyptus.
Ugh! I have given up on hydrangeas completely after they kept wilting on me. My last attempt wilted within hours of coming home. I’ve tried the misting before, but never hammering, so MAYBE I’ll give them a second chance (they’re so lovely!). In the meantime, I’m always happy with eucalyptus and it never lets me down.
Oh man! I am with ya! But those tips really helped and the warm water, I was doing cold. Let me know how it goes!
We had hydrangeas in our wedding flowers and it was so discouraging to see them all droopy the next day! These woody flowers are temperamental, but I love your tips! This new house has a GIANT hydrangea bush so now I know. š
Oh gorgeous at your wedding! I have big hydrangea bushes too and they last so much longer than store bought!
The flowers look great! Trader Joes ha good affordable stock….thanks for cutting right the point!
Yes they do! Thanks for the comment:)
Does limelight hydrangea hold its unique color?
I have six hydrangas in my yard. I just cut at angle, no leaves in water and my first vase full have lasted 3 weeks! This week I cut at least a dozen and put them in a large vase with other greens & stems from my yard. We shall see if this new batch lasts as long with the greens in it.