1. Selecting and Wiring Flowers

2. Objectives Identify reasons for using wire in a floral design.
Explain the types of wire used in floral designs.
Discuss the wire sizes used for types of flowers.

3. Objectives Explain how and when to use methods of wiring flowers.
Explain how and when to use methods of wiring foliage.
Discuss the uses of floral tape.

4. Wiring Techniques essential to the floral designer
only wire a flower if it cannot be used satisfactorily without it

5. Florists wire used for a number of reasons
straighten slightly crooked stems
support weakened stems

6. Florists wire keep flowers upright and help prevent wilting
hold flowers and foliage in a desired position

7. Florists wire prevent flower heads from breaking off the stem
replace flower stems on corsages so the corsage stem is not bulky

8. Florists wire
add accessories to corsages and arrangements

9. Selecting wires commonly sold in twelve pound boxes
containing straight wires 18 inches long
number of wires per box varies according to the size of the wire

10. Selecting wires
wires are coated with green enamel which helps prevent rusting
green color makes them less noticeable in the design

11. Selecting wires
wire may also be purchased on spools for special needs such as making garlands or wreaths

12. Sizes of wire
florist wire comes in various weights and diameters called gauges
size ranges from thickest, to 32 - thinnest

13. Sizes of wire wire gauge numbers decrease as the wire gets larger
20-26 gauge is the most common

14. 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 supported

15. Sizes of wire
select the smallest wire that will support the flower and still hold it in place

16. Wiring should only be done when necessary
too much wire can detract from an arrangement

17. Sizes of wire
the size wire you choose is dependent upon the weight of the flower and the intended use

18. Methods of wiring straight wire method
used when the stem remains attached to the flower
most often used when wiring flowers for vase arrangements

19. 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

20. 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 possible

21. 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

22. Hook Method hook helps prevent flower from breaking off of stem
stem may be removed or left intact
depends on use of flower

23. Hook Method for corsage work, stem is cut 1/2 inch below the calyx
all remaining foliage is removed from stem

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Piercing method
insert a wire through the calyx at a point halfway between the calyx and the petals

29. 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

30. Piercing method for corsage, push the wire through to the midpoint
bend both sides down and tape

31. Wrap method used on foliage made of many small leaflets leatherleaf
flowers composed of many small florets

32. Wrap method
cut the stem so that a small portion of the stem remains on the leaf
make a hairpin from gauge wire

33. Wrap method
hang the hairpin over the lowest pair of leaflets so that the bend in the hairpin rests behind the stem

34. Wrap method
wind one wire over both the other wire and the stem of the leaflet
wrap the stem and wire with tape

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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

38. Stitch method
tape the stem beginning at the base of the leaf

39. 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

40. 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

41. 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

42. Floral Taping primary brand names are “Floratape” and “Parafilm”
various colors available
moss green and foliage green are the most common

43. 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

44. 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

45. Floral Taping
the tape becomes sticky as you stretch it and will stick to itself
properly taped wires will be smooth and lightly taped

46. Floral Taping
if the tape does not adhere to the wire and is loose, increase the tension on the tape.

47. Objectives Identify reasons for using wire in a floral design.
Explain the types of wire used in floral designs.
Discuss the wire sizes used for six types of flowers.

48. Objectives Explain how and when to use methods of wiring flowers.
Explain how and when to use methods of wiring foliage.
Discuss the uses of floral tape.