Selecting and Wiring Flowers

1
Selecting and Wiring Flowers
2
Wiring Techniques

• essential to the floral designer
• only wire a flower if it cannot be used
  satisfactorily without it

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Florists wire

• used for a number of reasons
• straighten slightly crooked stems
• support weakened stems

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Florists wire

• keep flowers upright and help prevent wilting
• hold flowers and foliage in a desired position

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Florists wire

• prevent flower heads from breaking off the stem
• replace flower stems on corsages so the corsage
  stem is not bulky

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Florists wire

• add accessories to corsages and arrangements

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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

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Selecting wires

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

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Selecting wires

• wire may also be purchased on spools for special
  needs such as making garlands or wreaths

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Sizes of wire

• florist wire comes in various weights and
  diameters called gauges
• size ranges from 18 - thickest, to 32 - thinnest

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Sizes of wire

• wire gauge numbers decrease as the wire gets
  larger
• 20-26 gauge is the most common

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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

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Sizes of wire

• select the smallest wire that will support the
  flower and still hold it in place

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Wiring

• should only be done when necessary
• too much wire can detract from an arrangement

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Sizes of wire

• the size wire you choose is dependent upon the
  weight of the flower and the intended use

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Methods of wiring

• straight wire method
• used when the stem remains attached to the flower
• most often used when wiring flowers for vase
  arrangements

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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

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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

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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

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Hook Method

• hook helps prevent flower from breaking off of
  stem
• stem may be removed or left intact
• depends on use of flower

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Hook Method

• for corsage work, stem is cut 1/2 inch below the
  calyx
• all remaining foliage is removed from stem

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Piercing method

• insert a wire through the calyx at a point
  halfway between the calyx and the petals

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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

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Piercing method

• for corsage, push the wire through to the
  midpoint
• bend both sides down and tape

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Wrap method

• used on foliage made of many small leaflets
• leatherleaf
• flowers composed of many small florets

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Wrap method

• cut the stem so that a small portion of the stem
  remains on the leaf
• make a hairpin from 26-28 gauge wire

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Wrap method

• hang the hairpin over the lowest pair of leaflets
  so that the bend in the hairpin rests behind the
  stem

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Wrap method

• wind one wire over both the other wire and the
  stem of the leaflet
• wrap the stem and wire with tape

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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

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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

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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

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Stitch method

• tape the stem beginning at the base of the leaf

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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

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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

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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

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Floral Taping

• primary brand names are Floratape and
  Parafilm
• various colors available
• moss green and foliage green are the most common

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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

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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

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Floral Taping

• the tape becomes sticky as you stretch it and
  will stick to itself
• properly taped wires will be smooth and lightly
  taped

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Floral Taping

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