Flower Delivery UK 

Tools of the Trade
 Equipment

A few basic pieces of equipment are necessary before you begin any floral display. 
These include a good strong pair of florist's scissors or secateurs,
a small watering can with a long spout to re-water the arrangement,
and a sharp knife for cutting tough stems or stripping away foliage.

Apart from the equipment, actual supports - or mechanics -
may also be necessary to arrange the display.  Basically, the mechanics are florists' foam,
 wire mesh or netting, pin holders or other weighty objects such as pebbles,
 marbles, sand or shells.

Florists' Foam

Foam is the most popular mechanic of the florist. 
It is a specially manufactured substance which readily absorbs water and acts as a support any
 stems inserted into it, providing they are not too heavy. 
It can be bought in bricks, or cylinders, spheres or cones in many different sizes
 and for a fresh arrangement simply need soaking in a mixture of
 fresh water and flower food.
 The foam for fresh flowers is green in colour and should not be confused with dry foam
 which is brown in colour and should not be soaked.
 This brown dry foam is for silk and dried flower arrangements.

The only disadvantage of this wet foam is that it tends to break up if it is over-soaked
 or if heavy stems are pushed into it.  Be sure to top up the water in the foam and
 do not allow it to dry out. Once you flower arrangement had faded and you are throwing
 the flowers away don't be tempted to re-use the foam again.  Once dried out the foam will not
 absorb sufficient water for your next display and the holes in the foam, made by the original stems,
 leave the foam weak and so new stems will not be supported properly.

Wire Mesh

Wire mesh is best for heavy stems and more random displays. 
Buy 5cm (2inch) size mesh - chicken wire from your local hardware store is perfect.
 If you can buy it plastic coated to avoid scratching the inside of your container.
 Unlike foam the mesh can be reused.  Crumple the mesh and shape it into your container
 ensuring the holes are big enough to take the flower and foliage stems you are using.
Alternatively wrap the mesh around the florist's foam you may be using
 to provide extra support.  Important points to remember when using wire mesh
 are not to crush it too tightly so that it is impossible to insert the stems,
and also to keep the mesh a bit more open in the middle which is where the majority
 of stems will be placed.

Pin Holders

A pin holder is a heavy metal base studded with a large number of small,
upright pins onto which the stems are impaled.  A 7.5cm (3") pin-holder is probably the most useful
 size for a novice flower arranger.  This form of mechanic is particularly useful when you
 are designing an arrangement using a limited amount of flowers in a shallow container.
 When introducing the stems into the pin holder place them vertically then ease them
gently into the required angle.  Woody stems should be split upwards from the base to help secure
 them to the pins.  Lightweight plastic pin holders known as 'frogs' are small devices used
 for securing florists' foam and are often used in conjunction with fixative to secure the foam
 to the base of the container.

Fixatives and Tapes

Fixative comes on a roll much like a large version of sticky tape.
It is paper backed and resembles plastercene. Pull off about 1cm and work it through your fingers. 
The heat from your hand makes it more sticky and malleable.
When sticky push it onto the bottom of your frog and then push the frog into your container.
  When it goers cold the fix will harden and stick the two elements together.

A great new way of fixing 2 pieces of foam together is with a 'Join-it'.
 Its a wire concept of two corkscrews working in opposite directions. 
You screw one piece of foam onto 1 end then screw this in the opposite direction onto the next piece of foam. 
Sounds complicated but it works a treat!

Stem tape comes in green or brown.  It is a this pliable tape which again becomes sticky
when you work with it - thereby allowing it to stick to itself.
 If you 'wire up' stems this simple thin tape covers up the unsightly wire.

Florist tape is a strong green tape which has so many uses you can't be without it.
It fixes foam into position whether onto a basket or container and can used to fix stout
 wires onto the bottom of candles so the candles can be fixed securely into flower foam.
 Available at your local florist, it comes in two sizes of rolls and two widths.

Plastic Containers

When a florists create an arrangements the wet foam is placed in a simple plastic container
 and fixed in position with the florist tape.  These can be reused by the customer and are
 relatively cheap to buy.  They are used as the florist does not, of course, expect to get them back.
The containers comes in two basic shapes - rectangular to take either one or two foam bricks
 or round to take a small cylinder of foam or a bit larger round bowl to take a cut brick.
They are essential if you are producing a basket arrangement. 
Many basket come ready lined in plastic.  But it is always still a good idea to put a container
 in the basket in case the plastic has a hole in it.  Water can stain your furniture so be sure
 the basket or container you are using is watertight.  If you are making an arrangement for yourself
there is no need to buy a plastic container - simple use a saucer or pudding bowl -
even the lid off a jar if its big enough! 
But be sure to fix the foam to the container otherwise it will fall over!

Marbles, Pebbles and Sand

Any mechanics that you use need to be covered perhaps by foliage, an attractive container
or just by foliage.  However pretty pebbles or coloured glass marbles and beads can also hold
 stems in a vase and provide support.  There is now available coloured sand. 
If you have a glass vase and want to use florist foam in it, place the foam in the middle
 and surround it with layers of coloured sand to fill up the space between the foam and the glass.
 Other disguises can be used - so long as they don't mind getting wet - seashells, slices of fruit
 or coloured wool or wood chips for example.  Look at the materials around you and use your imagination
 - there are no fixed rules - Enjoy!

To Contact Flower Delivery UK

       UK callers please call us on: 01691 624 555

    International callers please call us on: intl code + 44 691 624 555

You can call us between 9.00am to 4.30 pm Mon to Fri and 9.30 to 11.30 am on Saturdays - UK time.
 

  
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