identify reasons for using wire in a floral design. explain the types of wire used in floral...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
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.
essential to the floral designer
only wire a flower if it cannot be used satisfactorily without it
used for a number of reasons
straighten slightly crooked stems
support weakened stems
keep flowers upright and help prevent wilting
hold flowers and foliage in a desired position
prevent flower heads from breaking off the stem
replace flower stems on corsages so the corsage stem is not bulky
add accessories to corsages and arrangements
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
wires are coated with green enamel which helps prevent rusting
green color makes them less noticeable in the design
wire may also be purchased on spools for special needs such as making garlands or wreaths
florist wire comes in various weights and diameters called gauges
size ranges from 18 - thickest, to 32 - thinnest
wire gauge numbers decrease as the wire gets larger
20-26 gauge is the most common
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
select the smallest wire that will support the flower and still hold it in place
should only be done when necessary
too much wire can detract from an arrangement
the size wire you choose is dependent upon the weight of the flower and the intended use
straight wire method used when the stem remains
attached to the flower most often used when wiring
flowers for vase arrangements
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
push wire up toward your finger
wrap the wire carefully around the stem going between the leaves
wire should show as little as possible
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
hook helps prevent flower from breaking off of stem
stem may be removed or left intact
depends on use of flower
for corsage work, stem is cut 1/2 inch below the calyx
all remaining foliage is removed from stem
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
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
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
used on flowers that have an enlarged calyx
such as carnations and roses stem is removed about one
inch below calyx if for corsage
insert a wire through the calyx at a point halfway between the calyx and the petals
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
for corsage, push the wire through to the midpoint
bend both sides down and tape
used on foliage made of many small leaflets
leatherleaf flowers composed of many
small florets
cut the stem so that a small portion of the stem remains on the leaf
make a hairpin from 26-28 gauge wire
hang the hairpin over the lowest pair of leaflets so that the bend in the hairpin rests behind the stem
wind one wire over both the other wire and the stem of the leaflet
wrap the stem and wire with tape
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
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
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
tape the stem beginning at the base of the leaf
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
non sticky tape that will stick to itself when stretched
used primarily in corsage work to cover wires
bind wires to flower stems
bind wired or taped flowers together
half inch width is the most common
one inch is also made but is not readily available
primary brand names are “Floratape” and “Parafilm”
various colors available moss green and foliage
green are the most common
white tape is used in wedding work while brown may be used for dried flowers
taping requires skill that is developed with practice
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
the tape becomes sticky as you stretch it and will stick to itself
properly taped wires will be smooth and lightly taped
if the tape does not adhere to the wire and is loose, increase the tension on the tape.
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.
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.