Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
Hydrangeas are really having a moment.
But if youve ever bought cut hydrangeas, you know theyre not particularly long-lasting.
The hack seems very, very strange!
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
To recap, these are the steps:
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I had to set out to see for myself.
Within forty-eight hours, however, the first of the bunch started to wilt.
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I gave it another twenty-four hours and noticed a second was joining the first on its quest to die.
As the petals curled and lost their color, it was clearly time to try the hack.
Plus, I figured they must be used to it in rainy London.
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
Perhaps this was all part of the magic?
But before this, I only knew it as something most commonly used to pickle things or tenderize meat.
For flowers, though, it turns out alum powder helps the stem draw more water.
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
I followed the instructions, and dropped my alum-soaked stems in their not-boiling water.
The Final Results?
I was dubious about this entire process, I must admit.
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
My confidence didnt improve when about two hours later, the flowers looked the same.
Six hours later, I saw some improvement, but I also wondered if it was in my head.
A full twelve hours later, however?
Ashley Chalmers / The Spruce
The almost-dead stem of the bunch had perked up a ton, and the other two looked absolutely perfect.
Best of all, it was an incredibly easy process.
Consider me convertedI’m going to certainly use this hack from now on.
