The Charlottesville Garden Club
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Flower Arranging

 

Arrangers Toolkit Conditioning Flowers
General Rules for Arranging Books

 

Arrangers Toolkit

Materials for the well-equipped arranger to have on hand:
Sheet or lawn sack to spread under arrangement while working
Oasis
Oasis tape,split roll (not corsage tape)
Scotch tape
Scissors, clippers, hand pruners
Green chicken wire
Spritzer/sprayer
Watering can
Baster (to add water where it is hard to reach with a watering can)
Measuring tape or a yardstick
Paint brush (for brushing off petals)
Water picks with pointed ends and water picks with rounded end (for round wooden sticks)
Glue gun
Fishing weights
Stand or Lazy Susan
Paper towels and garbage bags
Weather stripping (Office Depot or hardware store) --a sticky substance used to anchor  a saucer holding oasis to the top of a container when height is needed
 
Materials to take to a flower show:
Registration Card
3 x 5 white index card with list of plant materials used
If you use plant material from a florist, you need to designate it with an F next to it.
Extra index cards
Scissors and hand pruners
Small watering can
Extra flowers/plant material
Fillers
Water picks, both kinds, and sticks to add length if needed
Flashlight (so you can peer down into the arrangement and not overfill with water)
Paper towels
Bungee cords, bricks,or weights to hold arrangement steady in the car
Camera
Try to view the finished arrangement (on a pedestal, etc.) as it will be seen at the Show.
If a flower needs to be removed, never pull it out as half the arrangement will come with
it.  Cut it back so it cannot be seen.

 

Conditioning Flowers

When we create a flower arrangement we want the creation to last as long as possible.  The proper conditioning of the cut plant material before arranging can ensure that the life of your flowers and greenery  is prolonged as much as possible. The following methods for conditioning flowers have been tested and proven to be effective.
 
Maximize water absorption and water maintenance:
Cut your flowers early in the morning or near or after sunset.
Cut the stems as long as possible.
Place the flowers in warm water and leave them for several hours or overnight to absorb as much water as possible.
Split the ends of woody-stemmed flowers or branches.  Place them in hot water and leave them for eight hours or overnight.  For flowers with stems that bleed white milky juices such as poinsettias and poppies, sear the stem over a flame to seal the cut and preserve moisture.
Re-cut stems before placing the flowers in arrangements.
 
Minimizing Bacteria Growth
Use fresh water, clean clippers, and clean containers.  To clean a container, fill it with water, add a small amount of liquid bleach, and leave it for at least fifteen minutes.
Remove all leaves that would be underwater in the arrangement to prevent the growth of bacteria and rotting.
Add a small amount of alcohol, liquid bleach, or sugar to the water in your vase or container to retard the growth of bacteria.  Use the following proportions:
Alcohol:      One teaspoon of vodka or grain alcohol, not rubbing alcohol, to one quart of water.
Bleach:     One teaspoon of bleach to one quart of water.
Sugar:       One tablespoon of sugar to one quart of water.
 
Since cut flowers absorb an amazing amount of water, add water to the vase or container daily.  If the water is cloudy, add a little liquid bleach with the new water.  There is really no need to change all the water in the container, just add water as needed.  Be sure to check the water level daily.
 
Reviving Wilted Flowers
Re-cut ends of stems.  Place stems in very hot water on a slant so that steam will not damage the blooms.

 

General Rules for Arranging

Books

The New Flower Arranger
Author: Fiona Barnett
Barnes & Noble, 1999
Highly recommended, but not available new.  See Barnes & Noble "Out of Print & Used Books" where a number of copies are available from about $7 to $23.

The Complete Guide to Flower Arranging
Jane Packer
Barnes & Noble, 1998, Paperback, $15
Jane Packer has written many books on flower arranging. Some are available new but most can be found in Barnes & Noble online "Out of Print and Used Books" section. Look for Fast Flower Arranging, 1998

Madderlake's Trade Secrets
Finding & Arranging Flowers Naturally
Tom Pritchard & Billy Jarecki
Clarkson N. Potter, Inc. New York 1994
"Practical advice with examples and instructions on how to find, care for, and create natural flower arrangements. Beautiful photographs. A must for anyone with a love for flowers".

Fresh Flowers for all Seasons
By Jenny Raworth and Susan Berry
The Readers Digest Association, Inc.   1996
This is a wonderful book that covers every aspect of flower arranging step by step.  It includes: Basic Techniques, Principles of Design, Shape, Color, Texture, and even Scented plants.  A must for the novice!