Hydrangea care tips
We bet you’re not the only one who likes this flower with its wide variety of shapes and colours! There are two types of hydrangea, the spring/summer and the classic, which blooms from summer through to autumn. If you look after them correctly, Hydrangeas are very rewarding flowers and they can last for over 3 weeks in an arrangement or a bouquet.
The creative part we leave up to you, but here are some tips to enjoy the Hydrangea as long as possible.
Tips for florists:
1. Hydrangeas have a high energy and water need
Hydrangeas have a very strong transpiration and also need a lot of energy to maintain colour and strength. Don’t transfer the Hydrangeas without any water from the auction to your store. In store, place the dark coloured Hydrangeas on a solution with Chrysal Clear Professional 2. We recommend putting the light coloured Hydrangeas on a solution with Chrysal Clear Professional 3 to keep their colours beautiful. Give your customers Chrysal Clear Syringa with their beautiful bouquet. This solution quickly hydrates the flower and boosts the energy level of the flower, which is vital for good vase life.
2. Sensitive for draughts and differences in temperature
Hydrangeas are very sensitive for draughts and differences in temperature. Watch where you place your Hydrangeas in your store to prevent them from wilting.
3. White Hydrangeas can turn blueish
This is a real nightmare for every florist. White Hydrangeas, often used for weddings, can turn blueish in the centre of the flower especially if the grower has used a post-harvest product containing Aluminium sulphate. We advise to spray your (wedding) bouquets with Chrysal Professional Glory to keep the hydrangeas hydrated all day and prevent them from turning blue.
Tips for consumers:
1. Hydrangeas have a high energy and water need
Hydrangeas have a very strong transpiration and also need a lot of energy to maintain colour and strength. Due to the enormous flower surface and thinness of their petals, the flower will wilt if not kept well hydrated. If this happens, cut off about 3-4 cm of the stem with a sharp knife and place the flower in a cool, fresh and clean Chrysal Clear Syringa flower food solution. This solution quickly hydrates the flower and boosts the energy level of the flower, which is vital for good vase life.
2. Outdoor grown Hydrangeas sometimes have a very wooden stem end
Dutch Hydrangeas are produced in greenhouses, and their peak production is in spring until late autumn. In other, warmer countries they can be grown outdoors and depending on the climate they will be available year-round. Outdoor grown Hydrangeas sometimes have a very wooden stem end. You can cut your outdoor Hydrangeas and put them in a vase indoor. In case the flower starts to wilt, cut off the wooden part of the stem.
3. Hydrangeas are very sensitive
Hydrangeas are very sensitive for draught and differences in temperature. Watch where you place your beautiful bouquet in your house. Also keep your Hydrangeas away from ripping fruit and vegetables. The ethylene produces by the fruit and vegetables causes the flower to wilt early.
About the different variations Hydrangeas
The Hydrangeas that are available in spring/summer are mostly uniform in colour and are not left on the plant to mature, instead they are harvested when fully opened. The classic variation, available in summer and autumn, can even last for months: these flowers change color and become papery. The pictures show how the colour of a pink variety changes from fresh (2) to classic (4). Picture 1 shows the immature cutting stage and will not have the best vase life.