HOW TO: STOP Hydrangeas Wilting As A Cut Flower...

Do you LOVE hydrangeas ?

Do you pick them for a cut flower, pop them in a vase and within a few hours or days, the flower heads wilt?

Today, I'm sharing a few simple florist secrets on how to prepare hydrangeas for a long vase life.

As you know, I have the KISS motto...

(It means 'Keep it simple, stupid'!)

I dislike complicated with a vengeance...

So when it comes to hydrangeas...

This is a simple way to ensure a longer vase life,

AND guess what?

It actually works!

What you do is:

Pick your flowers early in the morning. (cool time of day)

In fact, that is something to understand when picking flowers or foliage for the vase.

Always pick in the cool of the early morning.

Fill up your tub or sink with cold water.

Place the picked stems into the water.

Soak for two hours.

Then:

RE-CUT THE STEMS UNDER THE WATER!

Then:

Place EACH stem on a board and whack with a hammer.

TIP: If you do this with all woody stems - chrysanthemums, foliage, etc, they will last much longer in the vase.

Place immediately into a vase of water.

Arrange your flowers as desired.

I use an opaque cut-glass style vase which hides the crushed stems from sight.

 

Keep the vase OUT OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT!

This Vase of hydrangeas is in my hallway with Mr Cat.

 

Have water level as high as possible to the top of the vase.

Change water every two or three days.

 DAY THREE: NO WILT!

DAY EIGHT: NO WILT!
YIPEE!!

DAY TEN:  NO WLIT!

And still smelling gorgeous.

 DAY TWENTY ONE!!!!
I'M YELLING THAT FOLKS- DAY TWENTY ONE!!!
I kid you not...The flowers have lost the purple hue...

And they are now very blue!
There is a little yellowing of the leaves.
And the tips of some of the flowers are spotted brown.
But they still look GREAT, and they still smell lovely!
More importantly, there is no wilt!!!
This 'KISS' Hydrangea picking technique is a forever keeper secret, for it sure beats the 2 hours or days vase life if picked and placed directly in a vase.
I simply ADORE HYDRANGEAS, don't you?

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#hydrangeas #stophydrangeawilting #hydrangeasascutflowers

Ocean blues...

I live by the sea...

I love the beach...

There is nothing more soothing to the soul - 

than the ocean, sand and the sound of waves.

I think that is why painting the ocean is a love of mine.

This painting is called 'Submersion'.

Painted in oils it is a gift for my son who is a free diver.

If you would like to see the beach on my doorstep, visit the link to  Ohope Beach.

DIY Pallet & Mason Jar Organiser...

So this is what happened...

 When one moves the hand towel hook in the bathroom to a new position (because you have found the perfect storage shelf for the teeny tiny little gap!)

This would not be a problem if:

You had spare wallpaper...spare paint for patch-ups...and the gloss anti-mould seal.

(Now that is a lesson if you pay someone else to do the painting -

 make sure they leave you the leftovers!!!)

This created a how will I cover that hole dilemma in the blue bathroom.

Soooo...(and thank goodness for Pinterest)

I found the perfect solution!

A DIY Mason Jar Organiser, which I attached to painted pallet wood for a super rustic look.

 They are really quite simple to make: 
Measure wood to desired size.

 Cut the wood.

  Paint wood or age it.

I used grey as a base colour.

 I wanted a rustic look that would match the concrete-look exposed stone linoleum floor in this bathroom.

 Then dry-brushed white paint over the top.

PVA glue the middle of the two pieces of wood.

Turn over and nail three builders staples to hold it together.

Using an electric drill with a small bit, drill the last slot on the clamp into a round big enough for your nail to go through.

 The hose clamps were $7.50 each (sourced from Bunnings  Hardware).

Measure and mark on the wood where the top of the clamps will sit.

Nail into position.

 The short mason jars were from Briscoes,

 and had 40% off this price.

Attach wood to wall and then add your jars.

These jars are fab storage for makeup brushes,

But you could use the jar organiser idea anywhere in the home decor, to hold all sorts of things. 

One idea is vases or fresh flowers, or hydroponic pot plants.

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you can join for free HERE.

#masonjar #bathroom #organiser #diy