Wednesday, July 27, 2011

The Chicken Wire Bouquet



Make it easy on yourself





Hollyhocks make long-lasting cut flowers if you first SINGE THEIR STEMS OVER A FLAME FOR 20 SECONDS





Thick-stemmed flowers only need one layer of chicken wire.
Add another layer of chicken wire for thin-stemmed flowers and roll wire into ball before placing into container.






And speaking of containers, do not place chicken wire into valuable vases or containers... the wire will leave rust marks. (there is a florist chicken wire which is coated with green plastic that you can use).





Rust marks will also show up on crystal vases.







Most flowers can be arranged naturally but chicken wire comes in handy now and then and is re-usable unlike florist foam which is difficult to reconstitute.

There are many gadgets available to help you arrange your flower bouquets, but chicken wire is my favorite.  It works well, is easily available and can be re-used

Do you have a flower arranging secret you would like to share?

Gina




29 comments:

  1. pretty pretty pretty~

    i sometimes add bleach to the water to keep fresh, i live in high heat and change the water often, but on occasion i can get away with bleach to extend the shelf life~

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  2. Wonderful floral tips, Gina! And your arrangements are very lovely. I've never used chicken wire in that manner before. I'll have to try it.

    Hope to see you at the party this week.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  3. Thanks for the tips. I have a collection of old fashioned flower frogs. They work for everything except very thick stemmed flowers. Sometimes I will arrange a bouquet and tie green string around it before putting the flowers into the container. Your flowers are beautiful!

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  4. beautiful...great tips. I see u r very talented,,,

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  5. Not only do I use a drop or two of bleach in the water, but after washing out the vase with soap and water, I pour in a bit of bleach, swirl it around thoroughly and then rinse. Keeping the containers clean like this will extend the life of your flowers. We clean all of the buckets at the hubbie's studio like this also; he's downright anal about that step!

    Cut your stems on an angle with a sharp knife or pruning shear or scissors. That way the stem has more cells exposed to the water which increases the water uptake.

    Run fresh water into the vase daily- just take it to the kitchen sink. I neglected to do this a few times this summer with flowers picked in the yard and they drank the water entirely! I couldn't figure out why they went downhill- duh- till I looked at the water level, -0-!

    And continue to read Gina's great ideas!

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  6. Hi Blue Moon, Bleach is always a good idea. Sometimes I add a little sugar, as well. Thank you for contributing, we can all learn from each other.

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  7. Hi Liz, You must give chicken wire a try...it makes you look like a professional flower arranger.

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  8. Hi German Gems, I like your idea of tying a green string around the flower bouquet. Nice post you wrote about the German Streussel Kuchen, my most favorite desert.

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  9. Hi Nayana, Thank you for your visit and thank you for saying such nice things. I so appreciate it.

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  10. Dear Ann, You are right, fresh water, clean containers and re-cutting flower stems every day are the best suggestions for making flowers last longer. Cutting stems (especially with roses) under water is another very helpful hint.

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  11. Hi, friend! I'm admiring all your creative posts here. Can you please share them at the Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop? Hope to see you there at the party :)

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  12. Your floral arrangement is just beautiful! I love all of your flowers you've chosen and the container is lovely.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  13. Your floral arrangements and photos are stunning. Are the flowers from your garden?
    The only different way I use to arrange flowers is to twist grapevine in a clear round vase so that it will hold the flowers. I don't have any chicken wire. :)
    Hugs,
    Babs

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  14. Hi SJ, How nice of you to leave such a special compliment. Thank you for the invitation to join you...I will do just that.
    Gina

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  15. Hi Shelia, Thank you for being so kind and leaving such a sweet comment. It is so appreciated. Thank you.

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  16. Hi Babs, wht a wonderful way to arrange flowers. Thank you for sharing your wonderful tip.
    Yes, all of the flowers I feature in my posts are from my garden. There are plenty this time of year. Thank you for your visit. Gina

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  17. Fabulous arrangements and great arranging tips, I love this ideas, it'll help me much. I was going to ask about the beautiful flowers, but I see they're yours too, Gina. Gorgeous everything, the photos are magazine worth. Hugs
    FABBY

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  18. Your arrangements are beautiful. All of the colors are so pretty and you do have such a creative way of display and arranging them. Gorgeous. Thanks so much for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

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  19. Hi Fabby, It's all or nothing around here... I have a lot of flowers in the Spring and Summer and even Fall. But then winter comes and I want to move to your part of the world. Thank you so much for your comment. Thanks for taking the time. Gina

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  20. Dear Marty, You are such a sweet Lady. Thank you for your lovely and encouraging comments. Thank you also for letting me join your blog parties. Warm regards, Gina

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  21. Beautiful arrangements and photography! Stunning colors, so pretty and vibrant. Your newest follower, Andrea @ townandprairie.blogspot.com

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  22. Hi Andrea, Thank you for becoming my newest follower. It is so appreciated. Thank you also for your lovely comment.
    Gina

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  23. So beautiful! thank you for the tips. I also use a bit of bleach.

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  24. Hi Jane, thank you for your visit. Next time you arrange flowers why not give chicken wire a try.

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  25. Hi Barbara, Bleach is a great idea, just be careful that you don't get it on yourself. Thank you for visiting. It is so appreciated.

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  26. Hi Niartist, Great bar, well stocked and beautifully photographed. Thank you for your visit, hope to see you here again. Gina

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  27. Beautifully Done.

    xoxo
    Karin Şen Cankan
    karinsfairytale.blogspot.com

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  28. Such beautiful floral arrangements! I am head over heaels with all the fabulous colors!!! I would suggest to novice arrangers or those in a hurry to simply gather the flowers in hand to arrange them rather than attempting to do so directly in the floral container. It makes it much easier!

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