| Tip
# 1. The best way to arrange flowers
is to appreciate them in their natural state. If the flower
is tall, opens, leans, etc., arrange it to suit that characteristic.
Even if the flower is manipulated somewhat to fit
into a certain type of arrangement, it is still best to
utilize it according to its character. Let vines drape
around the base of flower arrangements, leave room for
flowers to open and close, etc. |
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Tip # 2.
The best way to start a flower arrangement
is by making a good base. Many believe in using
arranging devices such as floral foam, frogs, chicken
wire, etc. These items are quite useful, but may
create an almost unnatural bouquet as well as shortening
the vase life of the flowers. |
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Tip
# 3. Floral foam is very
useful in flower arranging, because it holds each
flower in place. However, when stems are inserted
into foam, the foam covers and clogs the ends. The
flowers will not last as long as when they are arranged
in water. |
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Tip
# 4. Arranging frogs have
a similar effect on flowers. The end of the stem
is partially blocked by the prongs inserted into
the stem, inhibiting water flow to the flower. |
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Tip # 5a. Chicken wire wedged
into the container adds a metal material to the
water that may react to the flowers. It can also
damage stems as they are being placed into the container,
thus further contaminating the water. |
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Tip #
5b. Chicken wire secured around the top of
the container is a better method. |
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Tip
# 6. A more natural way of starting
a flower arrangement is to create a base
with full, thick foliage. This base will help secure
flowers in place when building a flower arrangement.
Pick foliage that is similar to the flower choices
for the most natural look. |
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Tip
# 7. When creating a base for a flower
arrangement with foliage or flowers, place
a few stems into the container and turn the container.
Repeat this a few times to create a maze of intertwining
stems. This will hold the other flowers and material
in place to build the floral arrangement. |
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Tip
# 8. When flowers are cut shorter to use
in bouquets, the best "filler," or greenery,
is the flowers' own foliage. Save
the excess that is cut off for use in and around
the flowers. |
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Tip
# 9. When arranging flowers in a
vase that is too large for the number of
flowers being used, fill the vase with the base
of a branch. The branch acts as a natural maze for
the flowers to brace against.The flowers stay in
place as you build the flower arrangement, enabling
you to use fewer of them. |
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Tip
# 10. Flowers with large, curved leaves,
such as tulips, can be useful in flower arranging
because leaving the leaf intact can act as a brace
for the flower, and a few can make a nice base for
other flowers to be added. |
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Tip
# 11. Leaving the thorns on stems is another
way to create a natural base for a flower arrangement.
The thorns will hold the stems together, so other
flowers added will also be held in place. |
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Tip
# 12. Tying a grouping of flowers
like snapdragons or carnations together with thread
or twine can create a nice base for arrangements.
This method can also be used in securing taller
stems of the same type of flower when building an
arrangement. This is much easier than securing individual
stems. |
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Tip
# 13. Tall flowers can be cut short and short
flowers can be lengthened to suit the flower arrangement.
See flower arranging tip # 20.
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Tip
# 14. Use large-blossomed flowers such as
hydrangeas or amaryllis cut down for the base of
an arrangement. The blossoms fill the vase opening,
allowing the other flowers to be secured among and
around them. |
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Tip
# 15. Arranging Tall flowers
with several graduating blossoms, such as gladiolas
and snapdragons, can be cut at the tips to encourage
the other blossoms to open more quickly. This does
alter the natural appearance of the flower, but
it is helpful in speeding the blooming process.
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Tip
# 16. Tightly budded flowers
can be added to flower arrangements for interesting
texture and a natural look. Place them among the
fully blossomed flowers. |
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Tip
# 17. Some flowers continue to grow and develop
in water after they are cut. These flowers are sometimes
difficult to arrange, because they change daily.
Use thin green thread or twine to tie them to a
branch or sturdy flower in the arrangement, which
helps keep them in place and tidy. |
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Tip
# 18a. Floral wires are useful in
flower arranging to secure the flowers
or bending a flower a certain way to make it fit
better into a flower arrangement. Place the wire
just under the head. Insert the wire about one-eighth
to one-quarter inch into the flower. |
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Tip # 18b. Straighten
the flower to an upright position, or bend the flower
into the desired position. |
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Tip # 18c. Gently
fold the wire closely around the bottom part of
the stem. The stem is now secured or can be maneuvered.
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Tip
# 19. Wrapping floral tape similar in color
to the stem around the length of the stem will hide
the wire and aid in preventing an air pocket. See
flower care tip
# 31e. |
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Tip
# 20. Floral wires are useful in lengthening
the stems of flowers with short stems, or flowers
that have been cut too short for an arrangement.
Simply place the wire in the bottom of the stem
about two inches, and cut the wire the desired length.
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Tip
# 21. There is a "rule"
that a flower arrangement should be one
and one-half times the height of the container.
However, this rule does not necessarily apply. Flower
stems summered in a vase with just their heads peeking
over the rim can be just as attractive as a proportioned
bouquet. |
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Tip
# 22. The most elaborate combination or the
simplest of flower bouquets can be transformed by
the container choice. Pick a container to enhance
the flowers. Arranging Flowers in bright
colored containers displays the flowers
in a more interesting way than would a plain glass
vase. |
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