Volume 2, Issue 34 March 2006
Gerbera and Lilium Tips
Hello Dear Subscribers,
I hope everything is going really well for you.
We are fortunate that there are so many different varieties of flowers available today that we can use in our floral designs.
There are tips and specialized treatment you can use for certain varieties to show them to their best advantage.
This newsletter gives you special care tips for gerberas and liliums.
Gerberas
The gerberas, shown at the front of the photo on the left, are large flat daisy like flowers that come in shades of orange, pink, red, yellow and white.
Gerberas are the most sophisticated of the daisy flower. There is also a mini gerbera, which is a smaller variety.
Gerberas are very versatile and look wonderful used on their own or with other flowers.
They can be used in many different styles of arrangements and are perfect for modern floral designs.
Give gerberas a long drink before arranging them. If the stems are soft, snip off the ends of the stems and place them in a tall container half filled with water. A piece of chicken wire can be placed across the top of the container and the flower stems inserted in the holes with the heads resting flat against the top of the chicken wire. This will help support the flower heads. As the stems take up water, they will stiffen.
You can also use a piece of cardboard with holes made in it instead of the chicken wire.
Leave the geberas standing in the water for at least 4 hours before arranging them.
Wiring Gerbera Stems:
After a few days, the heads of gerberas can sometimes go limp.
Wiring the stems will help the heads stand upright in an arrangement.
To do this, insert the end of a long 22 gauge wire x 45cm (18")vertically up into the base of the flower head for about 2.5cm (1") and wind the wire three or four times spirally down and around the stem.
Cut off the excess wire, level with the end of the stem.
Liliums
The pink liliums in the photo grow on long graceful stems with open trumpet shaped flowers and long pointed buds and come in many different varieties.
They look wonderful used on their own in flower arrangements. A tall classical container filled with liliums always looks elegant.
Liliums also look great combined with other flowers used in European style arrangements.
White liliums also look spectacular used in flowing cascade bridal designs.
Tiger lilies in orange with brown spots are ideal for exotic type arrangements.
Liliums have long stamens with anthers at the tips which are covered with pollen. If the pollen comes into contact with anything, including clothing or a tablecloth, it will stain it with a brownish yellow stain. It is recommended you snip the tips of the end of the stamens before arranging them.
For this reason, many florists remove the tips as soon as liliums come into their shop.
If pollen does accidently come in contact with fabric, brush the pollen away with a soft brush or tissue and then place in the sun for a few hours. Another method is to remove the pollen with clear sticky tape.
These are just a few specialised tips on flowers and their care. In our Floristry Diploma Course you will learn hundreds of professional tips and techniques on flower arranging and all about the floristry industry.
About Our School
Floristry Diploma Courses. Learn floristry as a rewarding career or fascinating hobby.
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If you have not enrolled in our floristry course, I encourage you to do so.
To have some changes in your life, you need to make some changes.
By learning a new skill, you will learn to create all types of wonderful floral designs.
A fabulous flower arrangement is the perfect gift for any occasion.
Many of our students have become involved in the floristry industry or earn extra income from home selling their floral designs. Others enroll to learn how to create artistic flower arrangements for their own enjoyment.
In our Floristry Diploma Course we teach you how to create many styles of arrangements including traditional and modern suitable for different occasions.
For full information on our Floristry Diploma Course, please visit our web site on
http://www.floral-art-school.com.au/
That's it for this month
Take care,
Best Regards
Fay
This newsletter is written by Fay Chamoun,
Principal of Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School.
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