J's Hydrangea Processing- RECIPE!
This week in my "Flower Thoughts" Subscription (Not subscribed??? It's free- sign up here)- I shared P Allen Smith's video that I helped create last fall when I visited Moss Mountain Farm...Allen and I picked Hydrangeas from his garden and I created a simple centerpiece- that anyone can create...With the gorgeous hydrangeas... (watch the video here)And then I got the best question from one of our followers - Mary LaBella-Fun story! J , I go threw such anxiety while designing with Hydrangeas! I have done everything from quick dip, alum, to saying the Rosary over blooms! Whats your "go-to " process? From arrival to arrangement, and seriously what is your favorite conditioners? Thank you for your knowledgeable, entertaining advice. -Mary LaBellahere's my answer- and my Recipe for the BEST Hydrangeas - EVERY TIME!Hi Mary… so great to hear from you…Here’s my Two cents about Hydrangeas…1. If you’re cutting from the Garden… CUT In the VERY Early Morning… about an Hour before Sunrise… the very best time to cut…as they are completely hydrated…Also… if cutting from the Garden… allow them to harden off on the plant… meaning they need to get a little rosie color to them… a little blush as it were… then you know the flower is mature and ready for cutting… another tip…2. If ordering from a Flower Seller or On Line… CHOOSE the MOST EXPENSIVE Blooms… It never pays to be CHEAP when it comes to hydrangea… when you buy cheaper you’re not guaranteed that the blooms are fresh or cared for properly…I have two great resources… when I buy from a Flower Seller- I want to be sure they are buying from GroFlowers… My GO To…when it comes to Fresh Cut Hydrangeas…or when I buy on On line… I suggest www.EspritMiami.com I know they rotate their boxes and that the Hydrangeas I get from them are exceptional and of the best and freshest Quality!3. When they arrive… I process immediately… following these steps…a. ICE COLD Water … I fill up my buckets and stick them in the refrigerator or cooler overnight so the water is chilled…at about 36-38 Degrees F…Warm Water increases bacteria and actually cooks the stems… so I use COLD water…b. Hydrangeas can be preservative sensitive… so I don’t use Preservative or Flower Food on Hydrangeas…c. I DO use a hydration solution -though for HYDRATION- Very Important I use Chyrsal Rose Pro Hydration solution… I mix it to the manufacturers specifications… and place a bucketof that in the cooler overnight…. that is the first step…d. I cut each Flower Stem with a sharp knife… my Swiss Army Locking Blade Knife… at an angle… I cut each one individually even if there are 5000… Each one gets special attention… so each one is cut at 45 degree angle- and goes into the COLD Hydration solution for 3 hours… at Room Temperature…e. After 3 hours… I move the stems to the Plain Cold Water… and then into the cooler… I take them Directly out of the hydration and IMMEDIATELY into the PLAIN COLD Water…Anyone that doesn’t hydrate… after being cut and sitting in the hydration solution… gets the ALUM Treatment…I cut the stem again… dip the tip into Powdered alum and then into the hydration solution for another 3 hours…4. After Arranging… once the arrangements are complete… I coat with Chysal Professional Glory… I give them at least 2-3 coats… waiting about 15 minutes between each treatment…Then back into the cooler to harden off… IF POSSIBLE… Sometimes - I know this isn’t possible… but if I can… I go back into the cooler after arranging…If you're looking to purchase Chrysal Flower Nutrients... here's a Link... www.uBloom.com/BuyChrysalI do hope this is helpful… some people have other recipes… but this one has served me well for over 30 years… and I swear by it… it’s much better than swearing at the Hydrangeas… hehehe!Thanks for the note… and have a Flower Filled Day Mary!