I keep seeing folks toss perfectly good hydrangea stems way too early

It drives me nuts when I walk through a shop and see someone chucking hydrangeas that are just starting to show a little droop. I've been running my little flower stand over on Oak Street for about 8 years now, and I swear if you give those stems a fresh cut under warm water and stick them in a bucket for 2 hours, they perk right back up like nothing happened. Last Wednesday I saw a gal throw out a whole bucket of 'em that had been sitting dry for maybe 30 minutes, and I couldn't help but say something. She looked at me like I had three heads, but I've literally saved hundreds of stems this way during summer markets. The trick is to cut at a sharp angle and let them drink deep, not just a quick dip. Has anyone else noticed people giving up on hydrangeas too soon or am I the only one?

2 comments

2 Comments

ryan_flores4d ago

you're not the only one, i've had the same thing happen to me more times than i can count." seriously though the warm water trick is a lifesaver, i do the same thing when i catch em at the market before they close up.

the_avery4d ago

How long do you usually let them sit in the warm water? I've tried it a few times but not sure if I'm doing it right, some of them still come out a little dry.