Horticulture Principles and Practices

24.3.2 TOOLS AND MATERIALS
The tools used in the cut flower industry are simple (Figure 24–3):
1. Cutting tools. The basic cutting tools are the florist models of hand pruners, wire
cutters, knives, and scissors. These instruments should be sharp and capable of
providing clean cuts.
2. Straight wire. Wires of 16 to 20 gauge are used to provide additional support to
the stems of cut flowers and also for creating certain shapes.
3. Chicken wire. Chicken wire may be placed in a tall vase to hold stems so that
they do not slump and bunch together.
4. Floral foam. Instead of using water alone, flowers in certain displays may be
arranged in a block of absorbent material called floral foam. The foam is soaked
to saturation in water before being placed at the bottom of the container. The
block then acts as the soil medium in which the cut flowers are “transplanted.”
5. Floral tape. Floral tape can be used in a variety of ways, such as for creating cells
(similar to chicken wire) on top of a vase to separate the flowers and prevent
them from bunching together.
6. Floral clay. Floral clay is a putty used to hold materials such as chicken wire in place.
Floral Foam
A block of material with a
high capacity for water
absorption and retention
that provides mechanical
support for cut flowers in
an arrangement.
24.3.3 BASIC FLORAL DESIGN
A floral designer should decide on the shape of the overall display to be created before
beginning to arrange the flowers. Basic shapes are shown in Figure 24–4. The shape of
the design is determined by where the arrangement will be placed and the occasion.
A round shape is ideal on a table that can be viewed from all directions. For a dinner
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
FIGURE 24-3 Materials and tools used by the florist. (a) The florist’s desk showing some basic tools and materials, (b) cut flowers,
(c) refrigerated display case for completed arrangements and cut flowers, and (d) ribbons for decorating the arrangements. (Source: George Acquaah)
24.3 Flower Arranging 695