Transcript 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
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
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
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.