1. Floriculture Horticulture CD
Unit B2-6
Floriculture
Horticulture CD

2. Problem Area 2
Floral Design

3. Designing Basic Floral Work
Lesson 6
Designing Basic Floral Work

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 4. Scissors- valuable for cutting ribbon and floral stems
Fabric scissors are used to cut ribbon
Utility scissors can cut flowers & other items

10. Various Cutting Tools From top to bottom: Knife Clippers Wire snips
Strippers
Wire scissors
Ribbon shears
Utility scissors
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

11. 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 dimensions
Two major kinds: one for fresh materials, called oasis; And another for dried materials
Referred to as a brick because it is rectangular in shape
Can be cut into many shapes

12. When placing foam into a container remember:
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 own
When placing foam into a container remember:
To leave an inch or more above the rim of the container; Increases surface area for flowers
Foam placed into glass containers needs to be hidden by silver foil or you will see the green foam
Cut out a small section of foam at a corner so the recipient can add water later

13. 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

14. Other foundations include:
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

15. Secure it with plastic S clips
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

16. 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
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

17. 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
Explain that vase arrangements originated in Italy, when the Italians started arranging their garden flowers in vases. A wide variety of containers can be used for these designs. The materials of which these containers are made vary as much as their shapes.

18. Grids can be created in three ways:
They usually end up with a hole in the middle with no flowers
Can 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

19. 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

20. Types of Grids for Framework
From left to right:
Frog
Chicken wire
Tape grid
Foliage grid
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

21. Steps in Creating a Bud Vase
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
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
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

22. 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

23. 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

24. Design Basics
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

25. 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 asymmetrical
3) circular - has a diverse style of design from the round to oval to Hogarth curve

26. Types of Geometric Designs
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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
Perhaps practice this method around a time when you can sell potted plants such as Poinsettias or Easter Lilies.
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

32. Steps in Wrapping a Plant
Courtesy of Delmar Publishing

33. 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.

34. 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?