Hydrangea - facts and care advice
The hydrangea with its large ball-shaped flower clusters is one of our most stately cut flowers. It is just as beautiful alone in a tall vase as it is in a bouquet together with other flowers.
The hydrangea is available in flower shops from April to October. In spring, you will find them in bright colors such as pink, blue and white. They are very popular as gifts for various occasions.
In autumn, the hydrangea is at its most popular, with its lovely deep colours. And they are in full bloom in all the country's gardens. In September and October, the time has really come to indulge in hydrangeas.
How to care for your hydrangeas
How to succeed with the hydrangea as a cut flower
The hydrangea is a hardy flower, and if you give it the right love and care, it can stay beautiful for up to ten days.
1. Cut the vigorous hydrangea stem with a long diagonal cut. This enables it to absorb a lot of water.
2. Remove leaves that end up below the surface of the water to reduce bacterial growth.
3. The hydrangea thrives in lukewarm water.
3. The cut flower is usually bright, but not too bright, as the flower easily dries out.
4. Feel free to refrigerate it at night.
Bonus tip
Is your hydrangea starting to droop and look tired? Make a fresh cut and submerge the flower in a bucket or wash with water.
Leave the whole flower in the bath overnight, as cool as possible. In the morning the flower will be fresh and beautiful again.
How to dry your hydrangea
Dry your hydrangea and prolong its enjoyment. This is how you proceed in three simple steps.
1. Begin by removing all green leaves from the stem of the hydrangea. Then make a diagonal long cut in the stem.
2. Put some water in the vase. It should be so small that the cut in the stem is barely below the surface of the water. Then let it dry slowly at room temperature. When the hydrangea is completely dry, place it in a dry vase.
3. Avoid direct sunlight. Place the hydrangea slightly into the room. If left in direct sunlight, it risks losing its beautiful colour.
HYDRANGEA AS A PLANT
The hydrangea is used as a potted plant indoors in the winter, and in the summer you can put it outside. Then you replant it in a large pot and place it in partial shade. The hydrangea can also be planted in a warm bed, so it will bloom again next year.
1. Place the hydrangea brightly, but not in direct sunlight.
2. The hydrangea thrives with a lot of water. But it won't stand in water. Therefore, immerse the potted plant in water and keep it there until it stops bubbling. Repeat three times a week.
3. Cut away wilted flower clusters.
This is how the color of the hydrangea is determined
Blue hydrangea, white, purple-red or green? Why does the one that was blue last year suddenly turn pink this year? Yes, it's a little chemical magic.
The color of the hydrangea can vary, depending on the soil conditions and the pH value of the soil. In acidic soil the flower turns blue, and at a higher pH value the flower turns pink or red, depending on the type. White hydrangea always turns white, regardless of the pH value of the soil.
To get a blue hydrangea, you must avoid fertilizing with calcium. You can also try placing a rusty nail or a piece of rusty rebar in the soil. Or you can try the trick with coffee grounds and lemon peel, which are mixed into the soil a couple of times a year.
To increase the PH value in the soil and thus get pink hydrangea, you can add lime to the fertiliser. Or crushed eggshells.