Transcript Selecting and Wiring Flowers

Selection of
Wire and Wiring
Techniques
Introduction to Floral
Design
When should
wire be used?
Rule #1:
Only wire when a flower
cannot be used
satisfactorily without it!
Why do we use
florist wire?
• Straighten crooked stems
• Support weakened stems
• Keep flowers upright and
help prevent wilting
• Hold flowers and foliage in
a desired position
Why do we use
florist wire?
• Prevent flower heads from
breaking off
• Replace flower stems on
corsages so the corsage
stem is not bulky
• Add accessories to
corsages and arrangements
Selecting Wire
• Wire is sold in 12 pound boxes
• Boxes contain straight wires
18 inches long
• The number of wires per box
varies according to the size of
the wire…why?
Selecting Wire
• Wires are coated with green
enamel to help prevent
rusting
• The color makes it less
noticeable in the design
• Wire can also be purchased
on spools
Sizes of wire
• Florist wire comes in various
weights and diameters called
gauges
• Sizes range from 18-thickest,
to 32–thinnest
• The LARGER the number the
THINNER the wire!
Sizes of wire
• 20-26 gauge is most common
• Choosing the proper size of is
important: wire that is too
large will damage the flower
or if too thin, the flower will
not be properly supported
Rules of Wiring:
• Select the smallest wire that
will support the flower and
still hold it in place
• Don’t use too much wire or it
will detract from the
arrangement—remember Rule
#1
Methods of
wiring:
• Straight Wire
• Hook
• Piercing
• Wrap
• Stitch
Straight
Wire
Method
• Used when the stem remains
attached to the flower
• Often used when wiring flowers
for vase arrangements
• Wire should show as little as
possible!
How to Straight
wire:
• Hold a piece of wire parallel to the
flower’s stem
• Insert into the calyx (fleshy part of
the flower below petals)
• Push wire up toward the top of the
flower
• Wrap the wire carefully around the
stem going between the leaves
Hook
Method:
• Used on flat-headed flowers such
as daisies, asters,
chrysanthemums
• The hook helps prevent flower
from breaking off of stem
• The stem may be removed or left
intact (depends on use of flower)
How to Hook:
• For corsage work, cut the
stem so that only ½ inch is left
below the calyx
• Remove all remaining foliage
• The wire is pushed up through
the calyx and out the top of
the flower
How to Hook:
• The wire may also be pushed in the
center of the stem
• Then, bend the end of the wire that
sticks out top of flower into a small
hook
• Pull the wire downward so that the
hook disappears into the flower head
How to Hook:
• If using the flower in a corsage,
it is now ready to be taped
• If using the flower in an
arrangement, bend the wire
around the stem to support it
Piercing
Method:
• Used on flowers that have an
enlarged calyx…such as?
• Only use this method if the
flower is going into a corsage
or the stem will not be visible
How to Pierce:
• The stem is removed about 1 to
½ inch below the calyx if for
corsage work
• Insert a wire through the calyx
at a point halfway between the
calyx and the petals
How to Pierce:
• If for a vase arrangement, push
the wire until it sticks two
inches beyond the calyx
• Then, bend both ends of the
wire down
• Wrap the longest end around
the stem
How to Pierce:
• For a corsage, push the wire so
that the flower is located on
the midpoint of the wire
• Then, bend both sides down
parallel to the stem, wrap one
length around the stem and
other length of wire, and tape
Wrap
Method:
• Used on foliage made of
many small leaflets
(leatherleaf)
• Used on flowers composed
of many small florets
(baby’s breath)
How to Wrap:
• Cut the stem to what length?
• Make a hairpin from 26-28
gauge wire
• Hang the hairpin over the
lowest pair of leaflets so that
the bend in the hairpin rests
behind the stem
How to Wrap:
• 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
How to Stitch:
• From the back side of
the leaf, take a 26 gauge
wire and pass the wire
through the leaf along
the midrib
• A stitch is made about
halfway up the leaf
How to stitch:
• 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
• Tape the stem beginning at the
base of the leaf
Always
Remember!
• Select the method that
best suits the type of
flower and its intended use
• Keep all wire hidden as
much as possible!