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| Floral Centrepieces |
No table setting is complete without one.
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Why rely on your florist when, with a little bit of know-how, you can easily make your own striking arrangements? By selecting a few simple containers from around the house and various bits and pieces from the garden, Our House provides tips on how to create masterly floral arrangements.
Tips for gathering foliage and flowers
If you are gathering flowers from your own garden, it is best to cut them early in the morning, after a cool night has restored their strength, or at the end of the day, just after sunset, when they are filled with food. Avoid cutting flowers in the heat of the day. They are stressed by the sun, tend to be limp, and are fully open in preparation for pollination.
Choose flowers with buds that are tight but just beginning to open, unless you need them only for a party that night. If you are picking more than a few, don’t wait until you get into the house to put them in water. Carry a bucket filled with tepid water, and place them there as you cut.
Cut stems at a forty-five-degree angle; this creates a greater surface area, allowing more water to be absorbed through the opening. Cutting at that angle also prevents the stems from resting flat on the bottom of the container, a position that would interfere with their ability to draw water.
Pull off any leaves or foliage that will be under the water line; leaves rot when submerged, and will contribute to bacteria and algae in the vase. Since most flowers last longer in cool environments, never put your flowers / arrangements near a source of heat, like a radiator or fireplace. The one exception is if you want them to open quickly; then try placing them in full sunlight.
Garden party or formal dinner
This arrangement is made using a glass float or salad bowl, filled with water. The bowl is then filled with mixed coloured garden roses and clusters of violet leaves. The roses can be substituted for other garden flowers such as gardenias; ranunculas, camellias, anemones and the violet leaves may be substituted with other garden leaves such as camellia.
After the float bowl is placed on the table, “glass” candles are then strategically placed around the float bowl. For a long lasting garden party (afternoon into darkness), remember to keep enough stock of the candles.
This arrangement should last quite a few days. As usual with a vase of flowers, if the water begins to look a little bit cloudy, pour it out, re-cut all the stems, and add fresh clean water. Cloudiness is a sign that bacteria is growing and will interfere with the flowers’ ability to take in water and nutrients.
Tropical Affair
This arrangement is for a tropical feast. The point is to capture the romance and excitement using tropical leaves and flowers. A few paper cups are wrapped in paper bark (held together with string) and filled with stems of richly coloured orchids. Dark green tropical leaves are placed at each setting along the table. (Orchids may be substituted with anything tropical such as frangipanis, water lilies, or hibiscus.)
Organic extravaganza
This is a long and low sitting arrangement made with a block of floral foam wrapped in bark, secured by hessian strips. Flowers including magnolia foliage, anthurium leaves and clusters of artichokes. Green goddess lilies are then placed in the centre of the foam. (These items may be substituted for any other foliage and fruit). NB: The foam must be pre-soaked in water prior to use. (It is necessary to pour water onto the foam every couple of days to keep the foam moist and the flowers fresh).
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Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
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