Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

The Travelling Hydrangeas (and what they taught me)

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Last week when I purchased a pot of hydrangeas we were four days from packing up and leaving Arizona to head back home (a 2900 kilometre drive). We were also expecting our oldest daughter for a visit and had made plans that would fill just about every minute she was here. From the Grand Canyon, to shopping, to hiking, there was not going to be much time to appreciate these beauties.

Hydrangeas, The Travelling Hydrangeas, How to Care for Freshly Cut HydrangeasSo … the story … we were in Fry’s grocery store getting a few provisions. It was just before Easter, and their flower section was full to overflowing with magnificent blooms of all kinds including massive pots of hot pink hydrangeas.

As I picked one up and put it in our cart, my head was telling me not to do it. But my heart was saying yes, yes, yes. So I did. And for a few short days it sat on our rustic side table, bringing beauty and life into our townhouse. I had no regrets.

But when it came time for us to lock up and leave, I was having a hard time imagining throwing it out. Oh, I could have given it to a neighbour, or left it for the lady who checks our place. Both options would have been good ones. But … I wanted those hydrangeas. And why not?

Well, one of my main fears is taking any type of organic material across the border. We travel a lot, and the last thing we want is a hassle at the border so there is nary a thing in our suitcases or vehicle that could be cause for us to be pulled over (either at the airport or the land crossings.)

But this particular morning I felt it was time to assert myself and take a chance. So I cut the flowers off the plant and stuck them in a bucket of water … and … 2900 kilometres later here they are, sitting on my garden table in the dining room!

Hydrangeas, The Traveling Hydrangeas, How to Care for Freshly Cut HydrangeasIt seems like such a small thing, I know … but what the travelling hydrangeas taught me is that I have to think for myself. Take chances. Just do it (no apologies.) Truly, this is about as rebellious as I get … and that tells me I need to be more rebellious!

The guard at the border didn’t even ask the standard “fruits, vegetables, or meats?” question. He was only concerned that grammy and grampy might be transporting firearms or liquor ;)

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How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas (one of my most popular posts!)

How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas

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I have a few tips on how to care for freshly cut hydrangeas which hopefully you’ll find helpful.

This as been one of  my most popular posts, and one of my most debated hot topics! Everyone has an opinion on the best way to care for them. I posted this on HomeTalk and there were 21k views and 47 comments! (side note: I don’t use HomeTalk anymore … do you?)

I don’t have home grown hydrangeas, so I have to rely on grocery stores or Costco (which is where I found these.) There were four in the package and although they looked fresh, they appeared to be scrunched up a bit. After humming and hawing for 10 minutes, I finally decided to shell out the ridiculously low price of $8.00 (it’s almost a crime, really) and just get them.

When I got home, I had to do a little research on how to care for these amazing flowers. I knew enough to re-cut the stems (on a slant) but what I didn’t know was that they are the most water-lovin’ flowers you will ever find!

How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas, Keeping With the Times, Floral Tips and Tricks

How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas, Keeping With the Times, Floral Tips and TricksHow to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas

  • cut the bottom of the stems off while under water (use garden shears) – this prevents a bubble from forming and hindering the uptake of water
  • poke several holes in the stem with a needle (I used a nail)
  • fill a vase to the brim with cold, cold water – add a handful of ice cubes! isn’t that weird? but apparently hydrangeas love cold water
  • add the flower food that is usually included – if you don’t have flower food you can use 1 Tbsp sugar with 1tsp bleach
  • add the hydrangeas and let them fall into place
  • spritz the flower heads with more water

How to Care for Freshly Cut Hydrangeas, Keeping With the Times, Floral Tips and Tricks

After following all these directions, I was rewarded with big fluffy blooms that lasted for days and days!

Do you have any tips or tricks when it comes to hydrangeas?