Would you like to cut your hydrangeas

~moxie~ · ‎08-13-2013

And display them in your home? After cutting them and before you put them in water add alum to the water. Recut the stems and add them to your vase. As soon as you cut them they form a sticky paste to close the stem so they don't drink the water. Cutting the stems and quickly putting them in the alum water prevents the stems from closing.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

This advice came at the perfect time!

Our annual Garden Walk is this weekend, so I haven't cut even ONE hydrangea - I want the bushes to be as lush as possible.

But after that, I was wondering how to cut them and keep them indoors.

Do you know how to dry them too?

My neighbor said to keep them on the bush until Fall and they will be dried naturally.

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

Hydranges last longer if you put them in hot water.

~moxie~ · ‎08-13-2013

On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
This advice came at the perfect time!

Our annual Garden Walk is this weekend, so I haven't cut even ONE hydrangea - I want the bushes to be as lush as possible.

But after that, I was wondering how to cut them and keep them indoors.

Do you know how to dry them too?

My neighbor said to keep them on the bush until Fall and they will be dried naturally.

I do what you neighbor does. Let them dry up in the summer. I am hosting my garden club in October and checking out garden club blogs. Did you know filling a container with vinegar, sugar and salt will trap wasps? I have been doing this for a couple months and have t seen a wasp in a long time.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

Where you buy alum?

My neighbor has a florist shop...would she have it there?

~moxie~ · ‎08-13-2013

On 7/23/2014 faeriemoon said:
Hydranges last longer if you put them in hot water.

Really? I used hot water for years and maybe got 7 to 8 days. Now they last for 3 to 4 weeks. Maybe it depends on what region you are in.

~moxie~ · ‎08-13-2013

On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
Where you buy alum?

My neighbor has a florist shop...would she have it there?

It is a spice. Your grocery store should have it.

kittymomNC · ‎08-09-2012

On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
This advice came at the perfect time!

Our annual Garden Walk is this weekend, so I haven't cut even ONE hydrangea - I want the bushes to be as lush as possible.

But after that, I was wondering how to cut them and keep them indoors.

Do you know how to dry them too?

My neighbor said to keep them on the bush until Fall and they will be dried naturally.

I have cut hydrangeas, brought them inside, and found places to put regular wire clothes hangers where the hydrangeas can hang down (on a door frame, or a clothes rack), and then clothes-pinned the end of the stem to the wire hanger so they hang upside down. Leave them there for a few weeks, and they will dry and retain most of their color.

terrier3 · ‎03-10-2010

On 7/23/2014 ~moxie~ said:
On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
Where you buy alum?

My neighbor has a florist shop...would she have it there?

It is a spice. Your grocery store should have it.

OK...is it the stuff you use for pickles?

~moxie~ · ‎08-13-2013

On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
On 7/23/2014 ~moxie~ said:
On 7/23/2014 terrier3 said:
Where you buy alum?

My neighbor has a florist shop...would she have it there?

It is a spice. Your grocery store should have it.

OK...is it the stuff you use for pickles?

I don't know. I just know we have it and come to think of it my husband always brought hydrangeas in and they lasted forever. After he passed away I could only get them to last a couple days. Lol