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.