One of my favorite things about summer is being able to go out into my garden and cut fresh flowers. I have a half-dozen hydrangea bushes on the side of my home that bloom profusely. They are ideal for cutting and enjoying indoors. The trick is knowing how to make them last.
Why Do Cut Hydrangeas Wilt So Quickly?
When I first started to bring my cut hydrangeas indoors, I was so disappointed that they would wilt so quickly. I did some research and came across this great tip. First I learned that when I cut the hydrangea, the sap from the stem would seal off and therefore the stem couldn’t absorb the water.
3 Easy Steps to Make Your Cut Hydrangeas Last Longer
I discovered that by dipping the fresh-cut stem of the hydrangea in boiling water for thirty seconds and then immediately immersing it into a vase filled with cool water did the trick.
The hot water prevents the sap from sealing off the stem. Just be sure to check your water level daily and add fresh water as needed.
1. Add boiling water to a coffee cup
2. Place fresh-cut hydrangea stem into hot water for 30 seconds
3. Immediately place in vase with fresh cool water
Changing the Color of Your Hydrangeas
My hydrangea shrubs are from the Endless Summer Collection. They not only bloom all summer long, I can also choose whether I want them to be pink or blue by adding minerals to the soil. For information on how to do this, click here.
Tip on How to Clean Glass Vases
Since this post is on flowers, I wanted to share one more tip with you.
Glass vases can be very difficult to clean, especially when they have narrow opening such as the vases above.
My tip on cleaning vases is to use denture cleaning tablets. Put one tablet in each vase, add warm water and let them sit according to package directions. The tablets dissolve and fizz and will clean the residue in those hard to reach places.
What is your favorite summer flower to cut from your garden? Please share in the comments below.
Yikes! Boiling water? I never would have figured that one out. I would have just done the usual cut the stem and add aspirin or part of a packet from a former store bought bunch. Does this work with other types of flowers?
Brenda
I am not sure Brenda about other types of flowers but it makes sense that it would if the stem seals up in a similar way. You mentioned aspirin. I knew someone that would mash an aspirin and add to warm water to dissolve and then water his basil with it. He had the healthiest basil plants I have ever seen!
Great tips Elaine. I recently tried a tip I learned to revive wilting hydrangea.
You take the wilting stems and completely submerge then in luke warm water and let them it. They will plump back up and last for a few more days to a week.
Thanks Shelly!
Great tip for cleaning vases.
The perfect sweet little bud vase definitely has to sparkle!
Some of the beautiful vases we use are a challenge are a challenge to clean, this is the perfect answer.
Thanks Elaine.
Especially in Ohio Regina with our hard water!