For the New Bride a trip to the Wholesale Flower Market is an incredible experience for many of the senses, like vision, smell and touch. Living here on the West Coast, nearly all flowers are shipped through our ports on their way to the rest of the States. Globalization has been great for the flower industry, we can get just about any flower any time of the year- for a price. The first time buyer needs a list and a budget to help control the desire to buy it all.
When working with fresh flowers it can become overwhelming the amount of varieties, longevity and price differences there can be. Not to mention the way wholesale flowers are bundled. Buying flowers from a wholesale flower mart is very different from a Florist or Supermarket. A Florist has to prepared each flower by cleaning the stem of leaves, thorns-if necessary; removed any broken or damaged petals or leaves; cut or crush stem and placed in cool water with floral preservative (food). Then lightly sprayed with a floral spray to reduce moisture loss. Once dry, placed in a 45-47 degree flower only refrigerator. Why a refrigerator for flowers only? Fruits and vegetables give off methane gas which can discolor the flowers and reduce longevity. All this work comes with a price tag of mark up on the flowers.
When you buy a bunch of flowers at the Wholesale market, like roses for instance, which come in a bunch of 24-unless it is a special variety that may have only 10-12 stems. It is up to You to clean and prepare them for Your use in Bouquets, Corsages, Boutonnieres and other wedding florals. You must also store the work you have done, keeping it cool or refrigerated. Then deliver the arrangements and set them up.
It can be a challenging and time consuming task. However, if You have the patience and are willing to do the work it can greatly help your budget bottom line. Be willing to hand over parts of the Wedding designing you may be unfamiliar with like Bouquets, the large Ceremony or Reception pieces. Talk with a Florist first, let them know you wish to do some work yourself, they will be happy to work with you to create the Wedding of your dreams.
The following is a list of flowers and greens, I have found, that are used in Bouquets which can be found just about all year long. Their care, storage and heat tolerance. There are many other flowers which are seasonal to your area you can add to the mix to create your Bouquets and wedding flowers. Find the Wholesale Flower Market in Your area and go visit.
Now, that You have decided to do some of the design work on Your own, here are some tips to help you along.
When buying supplies make sure to get the commercial fresh flower food. There are many home recipes for keeping flowers alive in a vase, aspirin, soda, vodka. Fine for a vase but the mass quantities of flowers you may need demand buckets for storage and lots of water with flower food.
Prep-work before hand will help make the job go faster. Soaking your floral foam in water with flower food up to 3 days before needed. Cleaning any containers bought for use in Ceremony or Reception. Clean any buckets or containers you will be using to store the cut flowers, fill half way with water and add appropriate floral food up to 2 days ahead of usage. Any bows or ribbons for personal flowers, ceremony or reception should be done one week before needed. Clean, with alcohol, and sharpen any knives or shears used to cut flowers.
Prepared Container
1. Start with the appropriate size container for the flowers you have, one that will
help support stems and flower heads. When doing flowers by the bunch, be sure container is
not only tall enough but wide enough to hold water and flowers without crowding stems.
2. Clean Container, remember “if you would not eat off it- donʼt put your flowers in it.”
Wash container with a mild abrasive cleaner and rinse several times. For tall vases that can not be
washed in this manner, try denture cleaner. Add appropriate amount of water and tablets.
Follow time listed. Flush several times with warm water.
3. Fill cleaned container 1/2 to 3/4 with tepid tap water. Add appropriate amount of
preservative for size of container and amount of water Stir to dissolve.
4. Cut flower stems with clean, sharp knife or sharp shears. Be sure to clean any
leaves on stems which will be below the water line in container off completely.
Remove any bruised or damaged petals and broken stems.
**HINT: Keep a container of floral foam or small vase near to receive broken flower heads and buds for use later in bouquets, personal flowers, cake flowers, ect.**
When using fresh flowers from the garden, or other out door source, be sure to lightly rinse them off and shake lightly. To help remove any dirt or bugs. Many small bugs, like ants and aphids, will hide in the flower petals. It is a good idea to keep the cut and prepared flowers out doors overnight, if possible. This will give the critters a chance to leave out doors and not in your shop or house.
1. Start with the appropriate size container for the flowers you have, one that will
help support stems and flower heads. When doing flowers by the bunch, be sure container is
not only tall enough but wide enough to hold water and flowers without crowding stems.
2. Clean Container, remember “if you would not eat off it- donʼt put your flowers in it.”
Wash container with a mild abrasive cleaner and rinse several times. For tall vases that can not be
washed in this manner, try denture cleaner. Add appropriate amount of water and tablets.
Follow time listed. Flush several times with warm water.
3. Fill cleaned container 1/2 to 3/4 with tepid tap water. Add appropriate amount of
preservative for size of container and amount of water Stir to dissolve.
4. Cut flower stems with clean, sharp knife or sharp shears. Be sure to clean any
leaves on stems which will be below the water line in container off completely.
Remove any bruised or damaged petals and broken stems.
**HINT: Keep a container of floral foam or small vase near to receive broken flower heads and buds for use later in bouquets, personal flowers, cake flowers, ect.**
When using fresh flowers from the garden, or other out door source, be sure to lightly rinse them off and shake lightly. To help remove any dirt or bugs. Many small bugs, like ants and aphids, will hide in the flower petals. It is a good idea to keep the cut and prepared flowers out doors overnight, if possible. This will give the critters a chance to leave out doors and not in your shop or house.
Flowers
STEPHANOTSIS: also known as Madagascar Jasmine, a small tubular, waxy white flower with strong fragrance. Name comes from the Greek word in feminine form for crown. Use in all bouquet work; very useful in personal flowers and cake decorations. Not very practical for vase and table arrangements, can be expensive. It is their small size which makes it necessary to individually hand wire each flower for use. CARE; Keep moist in container (with tight lid) in small amount of water, sitting on shredded wax paper, under refrigeration TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to medium heat weather, do not do well in heat. Flowers may be dipped in paraffin to help control wilting in hot weathers, keep refrigerated until use. |
ROSES: The Most popular flower for bouquets; a very wide range of uses from bouquets to corsages, ceremony and reception pieces. Wide variety of colors-many with a fragrance, the most expensive being the lavender colors and large garden roses. In some areas-spray roses in pink, white, yellow, green are available. Graded by size of flower head and length of stem. X-tra Fancy Fancy Long Medium Short Miniature CARE: Remove lower leaves-leaving top two to three sets (if in good condition); remove any thorns with sharp knife (be careful not to injure stem); fresh cut (on diagonal) to bottom of each stem with sharp knife; immediately place in prepared container. Water level on Roses should be checked daily as roses can be heavy drinkers.To force open flowers, remove first 1-3 outer flower petals and place in hot tap water with extra preservative. Save any broken heads for later use. Can be sprayed or dyed to change colors, use white for this . When using in hand held bokays top leaves can be sprayed with leaf shine to enhance appearance. Keep in cool place. Flowers wired in bokays and personal flowers use should be kept under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weathers. Light misting with water will help to keep flower heads cool in hot weather. |
ORCHIDS: Range in size and price. Sold at market in sprays-priced by each flower and some varieties sold separately. Not all varieties and colors are grown commercially. Consider purchasing a blooming orchid plant and cutting the flowers off for wedding work. The plant will remain to bloom again. CATTLEYA; largest of the orchids, 5” to 8” across face, found in white, lavender and bi-color. Sold as a singly or on stems. Use as focal points in bokays, table arrangements and loose cut flowers. Single flowers for corsages (not recommended for boutonnieres, see Japhette) Sprays can be used in large vase or table arrangements. CARE: Keep in container (with a cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and throat; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. be careful when handling-flower bruises easily TEMPERATURES: do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather. JAPHETTE; looks like a smaller version of the cattleya, 4” to 6” across face, come in white only with very pale yellow throat. Sold singly or on stems. Use as focal flowers in bokays; corsages & boutonnieres; table arrangements & loose cut flowers. Sprays can be used in large ceremony or reception arrangements. CARE: Keep in container (with cover), with a covering of shredded wax paper over face and throat; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: do well in cool to warm climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather. PHALAENOPSIS; also known as the ”Moth Orchid”, 4” to 6” across face, found in white with yellow/red throat or lavender/red throat, yellow and in lavender with reddish throat. New use of dyes has produced a blue flower. Sold singly or on stems. Use as focal flower in bokays, corsages and boutonnieres, table arrangements, loose cut flowers. Sprays for large ceremony & reception arrangements. Plants are favored for centerpieces and decorations CARE: Keep in container (with cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and throat; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather. PAPHIOPEDILIUM: also called “Lady’s Slipper” characterized by the slipper shaped pouches of the flower. Found in a variety of colors, the green/white and browns most popular. Use for all bridal bokays, personal flowers, table arrangements-not recommended for Ceremony. CARE: Keep in container (with a cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and throat; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: This Orchids does well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather. CYMBIDIUM; A very old fashion bridal flower. Vary in size from large(3”-4”) to miniature(2”-3”). Sold singly and on stems. Large are used as focal flowers in bokays, corsages and boutonnieres, table arrangements & loose cut flowers-Sprays used in large ceremony and reception pieces. Miniatures are wired and used in bokays, corsages & boutonnieres, table arrangements, ceremony pieces-Sprays used in larger pieces and table & vase arrangements. CARE: Single-keep in container (with cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and throat; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. Sprays- remove any browned or broken flowers or leaves from stem, diagonal cut, in to prepared container. keep cool or refrigerate TEMPERATURES: Orchids do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather, a light misting with water in hot weather helps to keep flower heads cool. DENDROBIUM; a miniature orchid 2”-3” across face, come on sprays of 15-30 flowers, white, lavender/ purple & bi-color, and stem dyed blue. Found in bunches of 10. Use sprays for cascades in bokays, ceremony and reception pieces;individual flowers for bokays, personal flowers, table arrangements and loose cut flowers. CARE: Single- Keep in container (with cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and stem; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. Sprays-soak in 6-7 inches of cool water, in flat container, face down for 10 minutes, gently shake, remove any browned or broken flowers from stem, diagonal cut, in to prepared container. keep cool, dry before refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: Orchids do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather, a light misting with water in hot weather helps to keep flower heads cool. ONCIDIUM; a miniature orchid the size of a quarter, sprays contain up to 50-75 flowers each. Found mostly in yellow, some other colors are available. Sold in bunches of 10. Use in all bridal bokays, personal flowers, table arrangements and displays. CARE:Single- Keep in container (with cover) with covering of shredded wax paper over face and stem; keep on water tubes or wired with cotton, under refrigeration. Sprays- remove any browned or broken flowers from stem, diagonal cut, in to prepared container. keep cool or refrigerate TEMPERATURES: Orchids do well in cool to mildly hot climates, be sure to provide a good source of water in hot weather, a light misting with water in hot weather helps to keep flower heads cool. LILY OF THE VALLEY: expensive, sweetly scented, highly poisonous woodland plant. Used in floral design for centuries, there are many legends and symbolic traditions surrounding the flower. Called Our Lady’s tears or Mary’s tears, May Lily and May Bells. It has a small, bell shaped flower less than 1/4” with 5-15 flowers on single stem of 6-8 inches, broad, flat leaves-also used in design work. Commercially grown in white only, bunches of 10. Use in all bokays, personal flowers with limited use in vase & table arrangements. Their high cost and small size prohibits more use in large wedding displays. CARE: Separate stems and leaves, give fresh cut with shape knife and place in prepared container. Keep refrigerated. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool climates to warm weather.. Flowers may be dipped in paraffin to help control wilting in hot weathers, keep refrigerated until use. LILIES: Rubrium Lily; large flower (6”-7”) 3-5 flowers on stems of up to 3 feet. Found in white and variegated pink to red with strong fragrance, bunches of 10. New variety: Rose Lily; multiple petals for fuller look. Use as large focal flower for bokays and corsages (not recommend for boutonniere), table and vase arrangements; whole stems for ceremony and reception pieces and as loose cut flowers (must be on water tubes for this use). HYBRID LILY: medium flower (3”-4”) with 2-6 flowers on stems of 2-3 feet. Found in pink, white, yellow and orange to rust, bunches of 10. Use as focal flower in bokays, personal flowers (treat like Gardenia); whole stems in all ceremony and reception pieces and as loose cut flowers (must be in water tubes for this use) CARE; Remove all but top few leaves, and broken flowers or leaves, fresh cut with sharp knife and place in prepared container tall enough to support stems and flowers. Large buds can be gently pried open at tips- to force blooms to open, after fresh cut place in hot tap water with extra preservative. Top leaves can be sprayed with leaf shine,wiped clean with soft cloth to enhance appearance. Special precautions should be taken to remove anther (pollen sack) from each flower as it can stain hands and clothes. TEMPERATURES; Flowers do well in cool to mildly warm climates, hot weather use should be restricted to arrangements which have good source of water, keep misted. GARDENIA: Found in white only, 4”- 6” across face; heavy, distinct fragrance, sold in grades of Fancy (large flw with natural leaves, box of 3) Regular (large to medium with plastic leaves, box of 12 or 24) Funeral or Work (no leaves, box of 50 or 100). Use as focal flower in bokays, single flowers in personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces (not recommended for large basket arrangements) & loose cut flowers. Their pure white appearance can be marred easily if crushed or mishandled. It is usually the oils from hands and face that produce the slightly bruised look of the outer edges of the flower petals. This condition, however, should now show up in pictures. CARE: Keep covered in container with wet toilet tissue over face to keep moist, under refrigeration. Handle with plastic gloves when designing to avoid bruising, handle as little as possible TEMPERATURES:Flowers do well in cool to very warm climates. Misting helps to keep flower face fresh CARNATIONS: whose botanical name is Dianthus from the Greek words divine and flower. For over 2,000 years Carnations have been part of Human Celebrations. From the Greek’s floral head wreaths to the single flower Boutonnieres worn for memorializing specific Holidays and events. It is also, the national flower of several countries. Carnations are among a handful of flowers which lack a certain pigment called delphinidin, it is the pigment which allows for a natural blue color. Other flowers include Roses, Lillies, Tulips, Gerebera, Orchids and Chrysanthemums. All these flowers can be stem dyed to achieve a blue color, very popular in today's floral market. In 1998 a blue/mauve Carnation was produced and commercialized, then in 2004 three new natural blue-violet/purple varieties were introduced. Considered the work horse of flowers, used extensively throughout the floral industry, prized for variety of colors, longevity and hardiness. Found in wide range of solid & variegated colors, many with a lite fragrance. Two types; Standard-single flower (3”-4”) on stems 2-3 feet, bunches of 24-25 stems Miniature-small flower (2”-3“), multiple flowers and buds on stems up to 2 1/2 feet, bunches of 10-12 stems. Both very versatile and hardy flower, use in all bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception pieces, especially good for loose cut flowers. Graded much the same as Roses, they are especially good for achieving unusual colors through spraying or stem dyeing. CARE: Remove all leaves which will be below water line, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared bucket or vase. Keep cool or refrigerated TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weather. ALSTROEMERIA: native to South America, called Peruvian Lily. Hybridization in 1980s produced range of colors and longevity of plant. Small, multi flower (2”) cluster of 5-10 on stem of 24 to 36 inches. Colors pink, red or rust, yellow, orange, apricot, green lavender, purple and white, variegated and flecked with darker colors (all except pink have yellow in throat) bunches of 10 stems. Use single flowers in bokays & personal flowers; whole stems in table and vase arrangements, ceremony and reception pieces and as loose cut flowers. CARE: Remove leaves on stems and leaves around flower cluster, fresh cut with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container or vase. Special precautions should be taken to remove anther (pollen sack) from flower as it can stain hands and clothes. Flowers wired for bokay or personal flower use should be kept refrigerated. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. Keep misted in hot weather. NERINE LILY: small lily-like flowers in top cluster (2”-3”) on slender stems of up to 24”. Not a true lily but in Amaryllis family. Found in pink, white, crimson and orange, bunches of 10. Use in all bokays, personal flowers, table and vase arrangements, and pew decorations, limited use in large altar, basket arrangements. CARE: Give fresh cut to ends with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weathers. Keep misted in hot weather HYDRANGEA: small dime size flowers or larger, arranged in clusters with 5 or more clusters per stem. Come in colors of white, green, pink to red, blue to violet and purple. Bunches of 5 stems. Use in all parts of wedding event; whole stems for bokays, any arrangements for ceremony or reception-clusters for boutonnieres, corsage, cake flowers. CARE: fresh cut w shears ends and dip 1/4 inch in to powdered Alum, then place in prepared container. if ends are very woody, smash ends and dip in Alum. keep in cool place or refrigerate TEMPERATURES:Flowers do well in cool to very warm climates. misting with water helps to keep fresh in warm weathers. LISIANTHUS: delicate cup shaped flower on slender stem with 3-5 buds, stems 12-14 inches. found in white, pinks, purples and bi colored (white/purple), bunches of 10. very useful in bokays and personal flowers, ceremony and reception work. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with knife and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to warm climates. light misting helps to keep flower face fresh. SUN FLOWER: an unusually tall plant (some over 6 ft) with a large single flower. Most all varieties are yellow but a few have reddish tones. Large size flower can be 6-10 inches across center, miniature 4-6 inches, most centers are black but a few with brown or yellow. 5 & 10 stem bunch. Use in all bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception designs. CARE; remove any damaged leaves and leaves below water line, fresh cut with knife or shears, place in a tall prepared container. Keep cool or refrigerate TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in all weather types. PEONY: a bush type plant with large flower praised for it’s multiple, delicate petals and fragrance, 2-3 inch buds open to a 4-6 inch flower, sold in bunch of 10. Find peonies in all colors except blue. Favorite of spring/summer weddings. Use for all bouquets, personal flowers, ceremony and reception designs. CARE: remove leaves but top 1 or 2, fresh cut to ends and place in prepared container. keep refrigerated TEMPERATURE; flowers do well in cool to warm climates LILAC: a deciduous shrub that can grow to 20-23 feet, small flowers (less than 1/2 inch) are tubular in shape with a 4 lobe opening are clustered around end of a branch. Introduced in to the European garden in the16th century, American gardens in the 18th century. Favored for their soft colors and fragrance. Found in lilac, lavender, mauve and white, bunches of 5 -10 stems. Use in bouquet and personal flowers, ceremony and reception arrangements. CARE: Give fresh cut to stems with shears or smash if too thick or woody, and in to prepared container. Keep in cool place, or refrigerated. if flowers droop, recut and place in new warm water with floral food. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in cool to warm climates, do not like heat. NARCISSUS: is the Plant genus name of the group, common names for it’s members include Daffodil, Jonquel, and Narcissus. The genus has a long history with Ancient civilizations both medicinally and botanically, yet was not formally described until 1753, after being popular in Europe during the 16th century. Each flower has a short, flair center corona with 6 larger petals surrounding, the flower is about 1/2 to 2 inch across- with 6-9 flowers clustered on the end of a single, slender hollow stem of 8 to 10 inches. There are many varieties both in the wild and cultivated for use, most popular are white, pale yellow and yellow. Can have a heavy fragrance, seasonal to most areas. CARE: Give fresh cut to ends with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place or under refrigeration. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in spring warm to cool climates. DAFFODIL: Is placed in Narcissus genus-a delicate trumpet backed with 6 rounded petals, flower together is 1-2 inches on straight, leafless stems of 8-10 inches, in bunches of 10. Found mostly in yellow, other colors and size varieties can be found, but not all grown commercially. Use in all bokays, personal flowers, ceremony and reception designs. Seasonally available in most areas. CARE: Buy closed when color is showing, allow 1-2 days to open fully. Give fresh cut to ends with sharp knife or shears and place in prepared container. Keep in cool place. TEMPERATURES: Flowers do well in spring warm to cool climates. |