Howcast

How to Arrange Flowers in a Wide Shallow Vase

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:41:32 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose vase Choose your vase or container first–the number of flowers you need will be determined by the width of its opening.
TIP: If the container is transparent, line the inside with large leaves first to block any view of the floral tape you’ll be using.
Step 2: Gather flowers Gather enough flowers to densely fill the mouth of the container. You’ll need more for tighter blossoms and less for looser ones.
TIP: This technique is especially useful for delicate, thin-stemmed flowers that can’t be easily placed–and don’t survive well–in floral foam.
Step 3: Fill with water Fill the container halfway with cool water.
Step 4: Place floral tape Use the floral tape to create a grid across the top of the container. Use long strips of tape and lay them perpendicular to each other, alternating between vertical and horizontal strips, so they crisscross like the weave of a basket. Space the strips the same distance apart in each direction so you end up with a grid of squares.
TIP: If you plan on using a variety of flowers with mixed sizes and shapes, make a more irregular grid by varying the distance between strips of tape.
Step 5: Trim excess tape Carefully trim away any excess tape with the box cutter or razor blade.
Step 6: Trim stems & place Trim the stems as needed, and place each individual flower into the squares of the grid until the container is full. Now congratulate yourself–you’re making arrangements like a professional florist.
FACT: Louisiana is the only state that requires florists to be licensed.

You Will Need

The wide
shallow vase or container of your choice
Some cool water
The fresh flowers of your choice
A roll of waterproof floral tape
A box cutter or razor blade
And a pair of gardening shears or scissors
Several large leaves or fronds (optional) (optional)

How to Condition Flowers for an Arrangement

Howcast — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:36:48 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Fill bucket Fill the clean bucket a third of the way with lukewarm water.
TIP: If your flowers are a little droopy, or you want them to open up right away, use hot water—they’ll absorb it more quickly.
Step 2: Add bleach & sugar Add a few drops of bleach and 1 teaspoon of sugar per quart of water, and set the bucket aside. The sugar provides nutrients for the flowers, and the bleach rids the water of any bacteria.
Step 3: Remove leaves Remove any leaves that will end up underwater in the vase. Weak leaves can be plucked by hand. Cut tougher leaves with a sharp knife, being careful not to damage the stem in the process.
TIP: Submerged leaves will rot, encouraging bacteria and shortening the life span of the arrangement.
Step 4: Remove thorns Remove any thorns with a sharp knife or garden shears, being careful not to damage the stems.
Step 5: Cut base of stem Cut at least 1 inch from the base of the stem at a 45-degree angle with a sharp pair of garden shears, making the cut as clean and smooth as possible.
Step 6: Place in bucket Place each flower in the prepared bucket as soon as you cut its stem—the longer it takes, the more likely that air bubbles will seal off the passageways for water.
Step 7: Condition all flowers Continue conditioning each flower one at a time until they are all in the bucket.
Step 8: Set in cool place Set the bucket in a cool place out of direct sunlight, and away from fruits, vegetables, exhaust fumes, and cigarette smoke—all of which contain or emit chemicals toxic to flowers.
TIP: Most flowers—except tropical varieties—will last longest at temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step 9: Let flowers drink Let the flowers drink for several hours before arranging, especially if they’ve come straight from your garden. Ideally, you should cut them in the evening, condition them overnight, and wake up to beautiful, strong flowers ready for the vase.
FACT: An old wives’ tale says that if a single man plucks a dewy bachelor’s button, places it in his pocket for 1 day, and the flower remains blue, he will have a happy marriage.

You Will Need

Fresh flowers
Some warm water
A clean bucket
A sharp knife
Some bleach
And some sugar
Hot water (optional)
And gardening shears (optional)

How to Make a Gift Bouquet of Flowers

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:39:40 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Hold flowers Place the flowers one by one in your hand so their tops are more or less even. Hold them together.
Step 2: Tie together Tie the bunch together at the stems with one of the ribbons.
Step 3: Cut stems Cut the stems straight across the bottom with a pair of sharp garden shears to give them a uniform length.
Step 4: Place ribbon in plastic Lay the other ribbon down horizontally on a flat surface. Place a square sheet of clear plastic over the ribbon with a corner of the plastic at the top and bottom (so it’s in the shape of a diamond).
TIP: If you don’t have clear plastic handy—and who does?—you can use a glossy gift wrap. Place the glossy side face up so it ends up against the flowers to keep their moisture from bleeding through.
Step 5: Place tissue paper Place the square sheets of tissue paper over the plastic in the same manner.
Step 6: Lay flowers Lay the flowers on top of the tissue paper with the stems at the bottom corner.
Step 7: Wrap tissue paper Neatly wrap the tissue paper over the stems, overlapping the side corners, so that you’ve formed a cone shape around the bouquet.
Step 8: Wrap plastic Wrap the plastic over the bouquet in the same manner, overlapping the side corners.
Step 9: Tie bow Pull the ends of the second ribbon up around the bouquet and tie a decorative bow.
FACT: The largest flower in the world, the rafflesia arnoldi, has petals nearly 2 feet long and 1 inch thick.

You Will Need

The fresh flowers of your choice
The filler greens of your choice
A pair of gardening shears or scissors
A square sheet of clear plastic
craft paper
or gift wrap
One or two large squares of tissue paper
Two 8 to 12-inch lengths of ribbon
And a flat surface

How to Make a Summer Flower Arrangement

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:38:41 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose container Choose a casual container that fits the feel of summer in your location— an earthenware pitcher, colorful jar, painted bucket, wicker basket—anything that conveys a lighthearted and laid-back summer vibe.
TIP: If the container you choose won’t hold water, place a smaller plastic container—like a yogurt or cottage cheese container—inside it.
Step 2: Fill with water Fill the container halfway with cool water.
Step 3: Add flower food Add some flower food to the water and set the container aside. If you don’t have flower food, add a few drops of bleach and 1 teaspoon of sugar per quart of water. This will provide nutrients for the flowers and rid the water of any bacteria.
Step 4: Trim stems Place the shortest greens and flowers in your container first, trimming their stems one at a time to create a range of heights. They shouldn’t be a uniform length—a summer arrangement should mimic the unpredictability of flowers growing wild.
TIP: For the best summer wildflower effect, use flowers picked from nearby fields and meadows.
Step 5: Fill arrangement Fill in your arrangement with gradually taller flowers and branches, trimming them to various heights, until you’ve created a wild, abundant, overgrown effect.
Step 6: Change water daily Change the water daily to keep your arrangement fresh.
FACT: Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping with native wildflowers that conserves water, reduces the use of fertilizers and pesticides, and costs less than traditional lawn and garden maintenance.

You Will Need

A casual vase or container
Some cool water
A variety of summer flowers
A pair of gardening shears or scissors
Some flower food or bleach and sugar
And a flat surface
A smaller
plastic container (optional)

How to Make a Single Flower Dome Arrangement

Howcast — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:32:46 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose vase Choose the vase or container you want to use and gather enough of one type of flower to comfortably fill its mouth with stems. Make sure that each flower is very healthy-looking, since there won’t be any foliage to hide bruised or damaged petals.
TIP: Daffodils are ideal for single flower arrangements since they should never be used in mixed arrangements—they emit a toxic sap that kills other flowers.
Step 2: Fill vase Fill a vase halfway with cool water.
Step 3: Add flower food Add some flower food to the water and set the vase aside. If you don’t have flower food, add a few drops of bleach and 1 teaspoon of sugar per quart of water. This will provide nutrients for the flowers and rid the water of any bacteria.
Step 4: Remove leaves Remove any leaves that will wind up underwater when placed in the vase. Weak leaves can be plucked by hand. Cut off tougher leaves with a sharp knife, being careful not to damage the stem in the process.
Step 5: Fan blossoms Lay out the flowers on a flat surface and fan the blossoms into an arching shape.
Step 6: Form dome shape With both hands, gather up the flowers from either end, scooping them together just below the blossoms. The flowers should naturally come together in a dome shape. Make any necessary adjustments to the shape by holding the bunch in one hand and gently pushing up or pulling down individual flowers.
Step 7: Check height Hold the bunch of flowers inside or alongside the container to check the height. In general, the flowers should stick out above the container anywhere between half the height and the full height of the container. For a shorter container like a bowl or cup, trim flowers so that the blossoms sit just above the rim.
TIP: To maintain the dome shape while checking the flower height, wrap a rubber band around the stems.
Step 8: Cut stems Take the bunch out and cut the stems straight across to the desired height.
Step 9: Return flowers Return the flowers to the container and allow them to fall into place.
TIP: If you used a rubber band to keep the flowers in a dome shape, remember to snip it off before replacing the bunch in the vase.
Step 10: Change water Change the water in your arrangement daily to keep it looking fresh.
FACT: The Environmental Trust on the English Isles of Scilly pays Prince Charles a rent of one daffodil per year.

You Will Need

A bunch of the fresh flowers of your choice
A pair of gardening shears or scissors
A sharp knife
The vase or container of your choice
Some cool water
And some flower food or bleach and sugar

How to Choose the Right Vase for Your Flower Arrangement

Howcast — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:41:43 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Choose flowers Choose the flowers you want to use—your choice of vase will be based on the size and shape of the flowers.
Step 2: Long-stemmed vase For long-stemmed flowers—like roses or sunflowers—use a tall, slender vase. You don’t need many blossoms to create a striking look.
Step 3: Short-stemmed vase For short-stemmed flowers with round, full blossoms—like gardenias or peonies—use a smaller, spherical vase to accentuate their shape.
TIP: If the stems are too short for the vase, place small stones at the bottom of the vase.
Step 4: Large arrangements For a large arrangement combining a variety of flowers and branches, use a vase with a wide, heavy base for extra support.
Step 5: Small groups To display individual flowers, or small groups of 2 to 3 blossoms, use a narrow vase of medium height.
TIP: For a more dramatic look, display a single rose or orchid in a spare setting, like against a bare wall.
Step 6: Branches If arranging only branches, choose a tall, straight-sided vase—the geometric shape of the vase will complement the organic shape of the branches.
Step 7: Step back & look Whatever flowers and vase you choose, step back and look at your arrangement from a distance. If it appears heavy on the bottom, use a narrower vase. If the top seems overpowering, try a wider vase. Chances are, it’ll be just right.
FACT: The ancient Greeks are believed to have originated the custom of telling stories and recording history on vases.

You Will Need

The flowers of your choice
And an ability to make decisions

How to Create a Floral Centerpiece

Howcast — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:39:57 +0000

Instructions

Step 1: Cut floral foam Cut the floral foam so it fits snugly into your vase or container.
TIP: Use an opaque container—such as a ceramic bowl or terra-cotta pot—so guests can’t see the foam base inside.
Step 2: Soak foam Remove the foam from the container and soak it in water. When it’s saturated, put it back in the container.
Step 3: Add filler material Add the filler material to the arrangement first. Start by cutting each stem at a 45-degree angle before placing it, and work from the outside to the inside of the arrangement.
TIP: Cut your flower and filler stems one at a time as you use them, instead of all at once before starting, to keep them fresher longer.
Step 4: Add flowers Add the flowers to the arrangement, again trimming the stems at a 45-degree angle before placing.
TIP: The flowers should be no more than a few inches taller than the container, so seated guests can see and converse with each other over the arrangement.
Step 5: Add water daily Add water every day—or more often, if necessary.
FACT: At the height of the Netherlands’ “Tulip Mania” in the late 17th century, some varieties of tulips could cost more than an Amsterdam house.

You Will Need

A mix of flowers: full & plump
tall & lean
1 or 2 with an unusual shape
Some accent filleru2014such as branches
berries
or leaves
A pair of gardening shears or scissors
A short vase or container suitable for the mood and dimensions
Some flower-arranging foam
And water