Selecting and Wiring Flowers

Selecting and Wiring Flowers

Wiring Techniques • essential to the floral designer • only wire a flower if it cannot be used satisfactorily without it

Florists wire • used for a number of reasons • straighten slightly crooked stems • support weakened stems

Florists wire • keep flowers upright and help prevent wilting • hold flowers and foliage in a desired position

Florists wire • prevent flower heads from breaking off the stem • replace flower stems on corsages so the corsage stem is not bulky

Florists wire • add accessories to corsages and arrangements

Selecting wires • commonly sold in twelve pound boxes • containing straight wires 18 inches long • number of wires per box varies according to the size of the wire

Selecting wires • wires are coated with green enamel which helps prevent rusting • green color makes them less noticeable in the design

Selecting wires • wire may also be purchased on spools for special needs such as making garlands or wreaths

Sizes of wire • florist wire comes in various weights and diameters called gauges • size ranges from 18 - thickest, to 32 - thinnest

Sizes of wire • wire gauge numbers decrease as the wire gets larger • 20-26 gauge is the most common

Sizes of wire • proper size of wire is important • too large a wire will damage the flower • if wire is too thin the flower will not be properly supported

Sizes of wire • select the smallest wire that will support the flower and still hold it in place

Wiring • should only be done when necessary • too much wire can detract from an arrangement

Sizes of wire • the size wire you choose is dependent upon the weight of the flower and the intended use

Methods of wiring • straight wire method • used when the stem remains attached to the flower • most often used when wiring flowers for vase arrangements

Straight Wire • hold a piece of 20 gauge wire about one half inch from the end • insert into the calyx - fleshy part of the flower below petals

Straight wire • push wire up toward your finger • wrap the wire carefully around the stem going between the leaves • wire should show as little as possible

Hook Method • used on daisies, asters, chrysanthemums and other flowers used for corsages and funeral work • method is recommended for any flower that breaks easily at the stem

Hook Method • hook helps prevent flower from breaking off of stem • stem may be removed or left intact • depends on use of flower

Hook Method • for corsage work, stem is cut 1/2 inch below the calyx • all remaining foliage is removed from stem

Hook Method • wire is pushed up through the calyx and out the top of the flower • wire may also be pushed along the center of the stem

Hook Method • bend end of wire that sticks out top of flower into a hook • pull the wire and the hook downward so that the hook disappears into the flower head

Hook Method • if using the flower in a corsage, it is now ready to be taped • if using in an arrangement, wire is bent around stem to support it

Piercing method • used on flowers that have an enlarged calyx • such as carnations and roses • stem is removed about one inch below calyx if for corsage

Piercing method • insert a wire through the calyx at a point halfway between the calyx and the petals

Piercing method • if for a vase arrangement, push wire till it sticks two inches beyond the calyx • bend both ends of wire down • wrap longest end around stem

Piercing method • for corsage, push the wire through to the midpoint • bend both sides down and tape

Wrap method • used on foliage made of many small leaflets • leatherleaf • flowers composed of many small florets

Wrap method • cut the stem so that a small portion of the stem remains on the leaf • make a hairpin from 26-28 gauge wire

Wrap method • hang the hairpin over the lowest pair of leaflets so that the bend in the hairpin rests behind the stem

Wrap method • wind one wire over both the other wire and the stem of the leaflet • wrap the stem and wire with tape

Stitch method • used most commonly on broad, leathery skinned leaves • foliages that have been wired are much easier to use because the wire creates an extended petiole

Stitch method • from the back side of the leaf, take a 26 gauge wire and pass the wire through the leaf under the midrib • stitch is made about halfway up the leaf

Stitch method • bend both ends of the wire down the back of the leaf • wrap one half of the wire around the other half and the petiole several times

Stitch method • tape the stem beginning at the base of the leaf

Wiring • it is important to select the method that best suits the type of flower and its intended use • keep all wire hidden as much as possible

Floral Taping • non sticky tape that will stick to itself when stretched • used primarily in corsage work to cover wires • bind wires to flower stems

Floral Taping • bind wired or taped flowers together • half inch width is the most common • one inch is also made but is not readily available

Floral Taping • primary brand names are “Floratape” and “Parafilm” • various colors available • moss green and foliage green are the most common

Floral Taping • white tape is used in wedding work while brown may be used for dried flowers • taping requires skill that is developed with practice

Floral Taping • taping is achieved by stretching the tape as you wrap it around the stem or wire or twist the wire or stem into the floral tape

Floral Taping • the tape becomes sticky as you stretch it and will stick to itself • properly taped wires will be smooth and lightly taped

Floral Taping • if the tape does not adhere to the wire and is loose, increase the tension on the tape.

Selecting and Wiring Flowers