21 Jan Revive Your Wilting Hydrangea!
You CAN bring this beauteous flower back to life
Biscuit and I will show you how!
Allow me to define my verbal usage of the word “beauteous”. I realize it IS an actual word…meaning, beautiful. For me, in this particular instance, it’s a combination of BEAUTIFUL and GORGEOUS. My justification? The amazing hydrangea cannot be diminished to only one adjective from this word, beauteous. That’s why I combined both! 😉
Anyhoo. If you are like me, you want your hydrangea to last as long as possible. As pretty as it is, AND as expensive as it usually is, means you want to enjoy it AND get your money’s worth. So, read on for the amazing tip on how to make this happen. I’m not even joking…every pic you see in this post is real. I really did try this hack, with my cute little sidekick, Biscuit, and IT ACTUALLY WORKS!!
This is a pic of a head of hydrangea from a bunch I bought at the store the day before. (The rest of the stems in the bunch were firm and fine.) Normally I would be frustrated, cut my losses, and just throw it out. But then someone told me about this cool trick on how to revive it. I have to admit I was really doubtful. I mean…look at it! It’s completely wilted and sad!
But first, let me introduce you to my super curious little doggie, Biscuit. He’s ALWAYS outside with me when I’m cleaning my flowers and shooting my videos. I mean he really is interested in everything I’m doing. I kid you not, all of these pics with him are completely organic. I did not “prop” him in! I just had my camera ready with every step! (OK…I did ask him to sit by the completed arrangement in the beginning photo. But that’s it. Promise!)
OK, let’s get down to the task at hand. This is really easy, people.
First, you fill a bucket with cold water and some ice. (Biscuit and I noticed the ice randomly formed a “pawprint” shape. Hmmm…coincidence?) My bucket is about 12 inches in diameter, and 12 inches high. You just need your container to be big enough to completely submerge your hydrangea head. You can totally do this in your kitchen sink if you prefer. Mine always has dishes in it so…
Allow the water to become really cold and then simply place the hydrangea in the water head first until it is completely submerged. Note: I’ve heard that some people use warm water instead of ice water. I guess it can work in any temp?! Seems odd, but they swear by it! Well, it worked for me using ice water, so that’s what I’m recommending. Plus, the ice can form cool shapes…and that’s…interesting and creative…and now I’m just babbling for no reason 😉 Moving on!
After about 15 minutes in an ice bath, you take the hydrangea out and gently shake the stem. I then patted the head lightly with a small towel. This is what the hydrangea looked like at this point. Not gonna lie, it looked worse than it did when I started the process.
Next, I cut the stem on an angle and placed it stem side down in the bucket. Note: you want to cut the stem on an angle instead of straight across. The reason for this is because the surface area of a flat-cut stem can be diminished if it lays flat against the bottom of the bucket thereby reducing it’s ability to intake enough water. If you angle the stem, this automatically creates a constant open surface area.
Then we waited.
And we waited some more.
Biscuit waited to see what would come of this sad, droopy flower while I went in and worked on my never ending to-do list. After totally forgetting about it, a couple of hours later I went outside, completely skeptical…
…and this is what I found! It totally worked! No trick photography here! The hydrangea was totally revived and felt really firm to the touch!
So next time you are frustrated at the wilted hydrangea you just bought the day before, try out this great trick! I was pleasantly surprised at the outcome! Hmmm…I wonder if this method would work with other flowers?? That’s another blog post for another day! 😉
Satisfied, little doggie found a comfy set of couch pillows to curl up to. A well-deserved nap after helping me in the office.
Have fun reviving your hydrangeas! It’s totally amazing!
~Debora
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Eva Wetten
Posted at 08:40h, 21 JanuaryWOW! That’s amazing! So great to know! I have a Hydrangea in my garden that is such a cool color ~ a kind of wine with purple/blue centers! ~ not sure what’s in my soil but it makes for a unique rich combination of colors! With this new tip I will be more likely to cut them and enjoy them indoors! Thanks Deb!
deboraeastcott
Posted at 12:23h, 24 JanuaryYes, you should totally cut a few and enjoy them in your beautiful home! Now you know how to make them last even longer! Love all the purple colors of hydrangea!
Catherine
Posted at 10:15h, 21 JanuaryVery informative and encouraging, thanks Debs.💖
deboraeastcott
Posted at 12:21h, 24 JanuaryYou definitely have to try this!