Unit B2-6

Floriculture

Horticulture CD

Problem Area 2

Floral Design

Lesson 6

Designing Basic Floral Work

Interest Approach

On my desk are many different types of floral tools. One person will start by picking up a

tool and handing it to another student to identify. If the second student cannot

identify the tool, he/she will go and get another tool and pass it to someone else to identify. Keep doing this until all tools

are taken.

Student Objectives

1. Identify and describe supplies and tools needed in floral work.

2. Explain how to design bud vases and vase arrangements.

3. Explain basic geometric style design.

4. Define naturalistic style design.

5. Describe how to foil a potted plant.

Vocabulary

Anchor pin

Brick

Contour

Floral foam

Florist shears

Greening pin

Grid

Grouping

Hyacinth stake

Needlepoint holder

Poly foil

Pruning shears

Rosettes

Tape grids

Water tube

What Are the Tools That Floral Designers Might Use?

Design tools & supplies: A. Cutting tools

1. Knives - pocket knives are typically used by florists because it can be folded for protection when not in use

It is faster than using shears

It can also be dangerous to your fingers and thumb

Keep the knife sharp for best results

2. Florist shears - a tool with short, serrated edges designed for cutting thick or woody stems and flowers that have been wired

It will not pinch flower stems allowing for better water uptake

3. Pruning shears - best used on branches and very tough stems; Again will not pinch stems

Most often used at Christmas time to cut thick evergreens

4. Scissors- valuable for cutting ribbon and floral stems

Fabric scissors are used to cut ribbon

Utility scissors can cut flowers & other items

Various Cutting Tools

From top to bottom:

Knife

Clippers

Wire snips

Strippers

Wire scissors

Ribbon shears

Utility scissors

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

B. Supplies and their uses:1. Floral foam - a porous material that holds a great deal of water; Provides support for flower stems

Flowers can be put in on an angle for added dimensionsTwo major kinds: one for fresh materials, called oasis; And another for dried materialsReferred to as a brick because it is rectangular in shape

Can be cut into many shapes

Oasis should be soaked in water for 1/2 hour; Do not force into the water but rather let it absorb the water on its ownWhen placing foam into a container remember:

To leave an inch or more above the rim of the container; Increases surface area for flowersFoam placed into glass containers needs to be hidden by silver foil or you will see the green foamCut out a small section of foam at a corner so the recipient can add water later

Foam must be secured to the container to prevent the arrangement from falling out. This can be done in several ways:

Use waterproof tape on a dry container; Tape the foam down in two sections

Use an anchor pin (see left), which is a plastic four-pronged device that is secured to the bottom of the container with glue or floral clay; Foam is then placed on the pin

Best method for using small pieces of foam

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Use hot glue on dry foam and dry plastic containers; Glue the foam to the container; When dry, place it in the preservative solution

Other foundations include:Needlepoint holder - also called a pincushion, or frog; Has a heavy metal base with upright metal pins that are evenly spaced

Secure it to the container using floral clay

Not used often because they are expensive

Chicken wire - inexpensive; Offers no water uptake ability but creates great support for heavy thick stems

Secure it with plastic S clips

A greening pin (see picture below) is and “s” top shaped hairpin; Helps keep moss or foliage in place

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Water tubes are plastic tubes with rubber stoppers that have holes in them for fresh flower stems

Used often to add fresh flower accents to potted plants

Hyacinth stakes are green wooden stakes that offer support for heavier flowers when needed in an arrangement

Types of water tubes

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How Is a Simple Arrangement Created in a Bud Vase?

Bud vases are one of the most commonly ordered floral arrangements

Usually 6 to 9 inches in height

Usually have a smaller opening for fewer flowers

Cheaper than most arrangements

Vase arrangements are a little more difficult especially for first time designers

They usually end up with a hole in the middle with no flowersCan be avoided by using a grid - a framework of materials at the top of a vase to provide support for the flowers

Grids can be created in three ways:1) foliage grids do not require additional materials; Instead place foliage at angles, overlapping them to create a framework

2) tape grids create an artificial framework; Use clear waterproof tape to create a tic tac toe grid on top of the vase; Use the open squares to place your materials

3) marbles or gemstones can be placed at the bottom of a vase to provide a third support; Also adds color and texture to the design

Types of Grids for Framework

From left to right:

Frog

Chicken wire

Tape grid

Foliage grid

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Steps in Creating a Bud Vase

1. Select a bud vase and add floral preservative solution about 1” from the top

2. Select a piece of foliage to form the framework

Remove extra foliage below the water line

Foliage should be 1 1/2 times the height of the vase

3. Place the single flower in the center slightly lower than foliage tip

4. Add additional foliage near the bud vase rim

5. Add filler flowers if desired

6. Make a small bow with tails and place it in the center beneath the container rim

7. Remove any debris in the floral solution

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What Basic Geometric Designs Exist?

Each geometric design offers a different visual experience

It is important for the designer to visualize the design before he/she begins

Always begin each design with the three major parts: set the height, set the width and set the contour

Contour is the three dimensional radiation of the arrangement; Creates the depth

Properly achieved contour should have a gentle roundness to it

Floral foam is an important component when creating these designs

Flowers appearing on the left should be placed in the left side of the foam and vice versa

Symmetrical designs should be centered in the foam while asymmetrical designs should be placed to the right or left of the center

Tall flowers should be placed to the back and work forward

Design Basics

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Three types of geometric designs:1) vertical - very eye catching and bold; Flowers are in a linear pattern; The width is secondary to the height

Can be used on a desk, table or counter with small amounts of space

2) triangular - popular for all occasions especially weddings and funerals; Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical3) circular - has a diverse style of design from the round to oval to Hogarth curve

Types of Geometric Designs

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What Is Naturalistic Designing?

These types of design draw on nature and gardening for inspiration. A common technique used in this design is grouping.

Grouping is placing flowers and foliage in units as if they were naturally growing there.

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Naturalists designers use baskets, bowls and trays of low height

Sometimes the container is not visible at all

Typically use containers of natural products

Spanish or sheet moss is used to cover foam

Florists sometimes design rosettes - foliage which radiates from a central point as if growing in the wild

Accessories such as birds, butterflies and insects add special effects

How Is a Potted Plant Wrapped?

The ability to decorate potted plants is a very important skill to know when working in a flower shop

Plants never leave the shop in their plastic containers only

They can be placed in a basket or pre-formed pot cover

Or they can be wrapped in decorative foil

Two types of foils:1) lightweight foil = is not resistant to tearing or water damage; It is colored on one side and silver on the other

2) poly foil = is thicker because a polyethylene material is applied to the silver side of the foil; It has less chance for tearing and it water proof

Steps in Wrapping Potted Plants

1. Cut a square of poly foil to fit the size of the pot

2. Fold the cut edges over to present a more attractive look

3. Place the plant in the center

4. Bring the foil up to the pot rim on one side and tuck a small portion into the rim

5. Bring the other sides up and tuck them into the rim

6. Smooth the foil gently around the potted plant

7. Apply ribbon and a bow

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Steps in Wrapping a Plant

Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

Summary

Why is the knife the best tool to use in floral design?How are florist shears different from pruning shears?What type of tool should you use to cut ribbon?Explain the difference between the two types of floral foam.Name three ways of anchoring the floral foam to the container.

Summary Continued

What are greening pins used for?When would you use a water tube?Name three ways of providing a framework in vase arrangements.What are the three types of geometric floral designs?When creating a design, what are the first three flowers that are put into the container?What is a naturalistic design?Why should you use poly foil to wrap potted plants?