Found a way to keep hydrangeas from wilting in a hot delivery van

My deliveries to the east side of Phoenix were a mess last month, with blue hydrangeas drooping every time. I tried soaking the stems in cool water with a capful of lemon-lime soda for about 30 minutes before packing them. They stayed perky for a 45 minute drive in 100 degree heat. Has anyone else tried something like this for heat-sensitive flowers?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessicaw111mo ago

Soaking them for 30 minutes is a great start, but the soda's sugar can actually feed bacteria in the water. A floral preservative packet or a tiny bit of bleach would work better to keep them fresh. What kind of container do you use for the drive?

thea24627d ago

Is the bacteria thing really a big deal for a short drive?

jason_black21mo ago

Honestly, @jessicaw11 has a point about the sugar. Did you switch to bleach or just stick with the soda trick?