Cutting Lilacs for Indoor Bouquets: The Hammer Trick

Lilacs droop fast due to woody stems. Fix: bang the stems.

Steps

1. Cut before full bloom (tight buds open in vase).
2. Recut to length indoors.
3. Lay stems on board; hammer bottom 2–3" until frayed.
4. Place in deep water + preservative (or Sprite/sugar).

Why

Hammering breaks xylem blockages. Lilacs then drink freely, last 5–7 days.