How to Cut Hydrangea Flowers for Vase

Personally, I have a hydrangea bush in my garden. I often cut the flowers and bring them indoors to enjoy their charm and colorful appearance, which eases my mind!

But if you ever need to decorate your room with hydrangea vases, I will strictly tell you to learn how to cut hydrangea flowers for vases in the most professional way—feeling difficult? Actually not!

Cutting hydrangea flowers for vases is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things you need to do to ensure that the flowers last as long as possible and amaze your loved ones! 

Today, I will walk you through the steps to cut hydrangea flowers for a vase in this blog. Throughout the article, we will focus on the step-by-step cutting guide, its benefits, and things you must consider!

So dear gardeners, without any more pep talk, let’s get started!

How to Cut Hydrangea Flowers for Vase?

You can cut hydrangeas from your garden using some food ingredients and cutting tools. The food ingredients can keep the flower fresh and live extensively. Likewise, the equipment can help you make clean cuts, as I did for cutting from my hydrangea bushes! 

Thankfully, you do not need to be an expert in cutting hydrangea flowers for the process! I first cut the hydrangea flowers when I began gardening in the early student days! 

Now, I am gonna share with you what materials I used. Note it so that you don’t forget anything at all!

Materials Needed to Cut the Hydrangea Flowers for Vases

• Sharp scissors or pruning shears
• A bucket of lukewarm water
• Flower foods for cut flowers
• A beautiful flower vase
• Alum powder

7 Steps to Cut the Hydrangea Flowers for Vases

There are 7 simple steps to cut hydrangea flowers for vases. Basically, you have to be a surgeon for the hydrangeas! So, follow these rules if you plan to preserve hydrangeas in healthy conditions.

Step 1: Choose the Right Hydrangeas

First, choose the hydrangeas that are perfect for cutting. It’s because not all hydrangeas are created equal. Some varieties are better suited for cutting than others. 

So, when cutting hydrangea flowers for a vase, look for fully or nearly open flowers. The flowers should also be free of any pests or diseases.

Step 2: Cut the Stems

Make your cut just above a node, which is the point where a leaf or branch meets the stem. The node contains a growth bud, which will help the hydrangea to regrow.

Without having regrown, the hydrangea can not get its food and nutrition. So, you must identify the area where the leaf branch meets the stem.

Step 3: Remove the Leaves

Remove any leaves that will be below the water line in the vase. To do this, drown your stem in the vase, and identify the wet leaves. 

This will help to prevent the flowers from rotting. But remember to cut a branch with extra leaves so you can keep all the leaves!

Step 4: Recut the Stems

Once you have removed the leaves, recut the stems at an angle. This will help the flowers to absorb more water. If you cut at an even position, the stem end will be covered by dirt, resulting in insufficient space for water. 

So be careful when you cut. Use an extra-sharp shear or knife to act.

Step 5: Condition the Flowers

Place the hydrangeas in a bucket of lukewarm water with cut flower food. Condition the flowers for at least two hours before arranging them.

Step 6: Arrange the Flowers

Once the flowers have been conditioned, you can arrange them in a vase. Fill the vase with enough water to cover the bottom of the stems. Add a few drops of cut flower food to the water to help keep the flowers fresh.

Step 7: Watering the Flowers

Hydrangeas like to be in freshwater, so it is important to refresh the water in your vase every two days. This will help to prevent the buildup of bacteria, which can shorten the vase life of your flowers.

If you need to support your flowers in the vase, use chicken wire instead of floral foam. 

5 Tips to Keep Hydrangeas Fresh in a Vase

You cut the hydrangea following our guidelines. But that’s only half of the process. The main task is keeping the hydrangea alive! So, here are a few tips for keeping hydrangeas fresh in a vase:

1. Change the Water: Change the water in the vase every day. This will help to keep the flowers fresh and hydrated.
2. Add Cut Flower Food: Add a few drops of cut flower food to the vase’s water daily. This will help to feed the flowers and keep them fresh.
3. Keep the Vase in a Cool Place: Avoid placing the vase in direct sunlight or near a heat source. This will help to prevent the flowers from wilting.
4. Avoid Overcrowding the Vase: Do not overcrowd the vase with flowers. This will prevent the flowers from getting enough water and air.
5. Remove Wilted Flowers: Remove any wilted flowers from the vase immediately. This will help to prevent the other flowers from wilting.

How to Prevent the Hydrangea from Wilting

Two steps can prevent cut hydrangeas from wilting. Those are:

1. Dipping in Alum

2. Refreshing with boiled water

Believe me, these tricks kept my vase unharmed for too many days and stunned my friends!

Hydrangeas wilt quickly when cut because they produce sap, which can clog the stems and prevent them from absorbing water. But we can prevent that easily. Follow these tricks:

1. Alum Dip: Alum powder is a common household item that can help to prevent sap buildup in hydrangea stems. To use alum powder, dip each stem before placing it in fresh water.
2. Boiling Water: Boiling water can also help to break down sap buildup in hydrangea stems. To use boiling water, bring a pot of water to a boil, then remove it from the heat. Dip each stem in the boiling water for 15-30 seconds, then place it in fresh water.

All that said, now—which method should you use? I can diminish that confusion for you. Here is my experience. 

Both alum dip and boiling water can effectively prevent cut hydrangeas from wilting. But alum dip is generally the preferred method, as it is less likely to damage the stems.

When to Cut Hydrangeas for Cut Floral Arrangements

The morning is one of the right times to cut hydrangea flowers for the vase. Cut the flowers in the early morning while they are fresh and cool. 

What Is the Best Time to Cut Hydrangea?

From my experience, do so in the evening  If you have to cut them later in the day. But avoid cutting them in the midday heat when the stem will be dehydrated soon. 

In addition, when planning to cut hydrangeas, water the plants the day before so they are fully hydrated. 

What Is the Best Season to Cut Hydrangea?

You must cut hydrangeas at their peak flowering when the blooms are fully open. I have seen flowers have reached their mature height in this situation. 

Newer blooms seem to wilt easily. Also, unlike many other flowers, hydrangeas don’t fully open up after cutting them. This means, if you want to keep a hydrangea longer in your vase, you must let it bloom properly.

4 Things to Consider When Cutting Hydrangea Flowers for Vase

1. Time of Day to Cut Hydrangeas: The best times to cut hydrangeas are in the morning and evening when the surroundings are fresh. Cutting hydrangeas in the day’s heat can stress the flowers and shorten their vase life.
2. Temperature of the Water: Use lukewarm water when conditioning hydrangeas. Cold water can shock the flowers and cause them to wilt. Also, hot water will damage the flowers.
3. Condition of the Flowers: Avoid cutting wilted, bruised, or diseased hydrangeas. These flowers will only last for a short time in a vase. So, only cut hydrangeas that are fresh and healthy. 
4. Type of Vase: Choose a vase that is the right size for the number of hydrangeas you are cutting. The vase should also have a wide opening to allow the flowers to breathe. Keep in mind that too-small vases will not allow the flowers to breathe.

What Are the Benefits of Cutting Hydrangea Flowers for Vases?

There are several benefits of cutting hydrangeas, from bringing beauty to enhancing its own family. You can make stunning decorations while making your hydrangea bushes clear and fresh. 

Therefore, I have listed some other benefits in the following section. Not much trouble; just scan through the points quickly!

1. Enjoying Indoor Beauty

Hydrangeas come in various colors, so you can choose the perfect flowers to match your décor. Besides, hydrangeas are easy to care for, so you can enjoy them for weeks.

2. Bringing Elegance

Hydrangeas are a classic flower that can add a touch of elegance to any room. You can create a stunning floral centerpiece by cutting hydrangeas and arranging them in a vase. 

I have experienced large, showy flowers making a big statement in my rooms. Hydrangeas can also create more intimate arrangements, such as a small vase of flowers on a bedside table.

3. Making Floral Arrangement 

Whether you are looking for a simple arrangement or something more elaborate, hydrangeas can be the perfect flower for the job. Literally, you can mix it with other flowers, such as roses, lilies, or tulips, to create a more colorful arrangement.

4. Making Bushes Clear

You can cut off extra parts of the hydrangea to keep your garden premises clean and safe. Once you maintain regular clearance, you will eliminate dry leaves, snakes, or other insects.

Final Words

So, what did we learn from today’s blog? Cutting hydrangea flowers for a vase is easy if you can cut it smoothly. First, you must follow the major steps, including choosing the branch, cutting stems, removing leaves, recut stems, and conditioning the flower. Then you must keep the stem alive by replacing food and boiling water. I also mentioned when you cut the flower for maximum convenience. Considering all the factors, you can beautify your home with hydrangea on vases.

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