10 floral tools every florist should have. Whether your are an enthusiastic amateur or a professional, whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years, having the right tool for the right job is a must. In this post I will share with you 10 tools / sundries that you will want to own.
1. The Floral Knife
A floral knife is an essential tool for every floral designer. When working with stems, the goal is to have a tool that is both effective and efficient. Floral knives are best used by holding a flower stem in one hand and the knife in the other while pulling away to cut. It’s important to find the right tool for your hand that you feel comfortable using. There is a technique to using a floral knife and it takes time to perfect. How to use a floral knife.
2. Floral Branch Cutters
In your floral arranging, thicker stems and branches can be a problem without the right tool. Scissors are not recommended as they can become dull, break and cause your hands to hurt. What you need is a pair of Branch cutters or clippers. Branch cutters are a tool that looks similar to garden clippers but can easily cut through those pesky stems. Remember, like scissors, branch cutters come in all different shapes and sizes, choose one that best fits your hand!
3. Flower Thorn Strippers
Florists use flower thorn strippers on a day-to-day basis. This tool is best used to remove thorns and leaves from roses. To use this tool appropriately, you must begin by pulling gently down the stem of the rose, removing thorns only. It is important, to begin with, enough space down from the rose head to prevent it from falling off.
4. Floral Cages
Floral Cages are sturdy cages made out of plastic that can be filled with floral foam. The Floral cages can be easily secured with floral tape or florist wire to easels, candelabras, pillars, and other structures. Floral Cages are an essential tool for florists when designing for sympathy, wedding, parties, and or oversized floral arrangements.
5. Floral Tape
Floral Tape comes in different types and colors and is the best for wrapping stems and lining vases. The green floral tape has a wonderful way of disguising stems by creating a seamless green blend. Clear floral tape or sturdier green tape can be used for lining vases or with your floral mechanics.
6. Floral Foam
Floral foam is a great tool to use when trying to stabilize flowers. Similar to flower frogs, flower foam will keep flowers firmly in place. Flower foam also has the ability to prolong the life of the flowers rather than being in a vase as the foam can absorb water.
7. Florist Wire
Florist wire is an excellent tool to use when trying to keep the heads of flowers facing upwards or in a certain direction. It can also be a great tool for accented items in an arrangement, secure arrangements, and create bows. Keep in mind the gauge of wire when determining the use. A higher gauge of wire will be thinner and flexible while the lower gauge is thicker with less flexibility, but offers more support.
8. Floral frog
Flower frogs keep the stems of flowers secure as you strategically place and arrange the flowers or greenery in a vessel. They act as an anchor for a floral arrangement, allowing you to establish a foundation for your design and build upon that shape.
Flower frogs come in a variety of styles, but the most recognizable is often referred to as a kenzan or a pin frog, a metal circle base with metal pins that stick straight up from the base.
9. Floral Adhesive
Florists often use floral adhesives when making corsages and boutonnieres. The adhesive allows for the flowers to stick directly onto the greens or the base and keep them from moving or falling off with movement.
10. Floral Crowing Glory
Crowning Glory is a “liquid shield” for flowers to keep in moisture and prolong the life of flowers. This solution keeps flowers looking fresh for longer periods of time!
How does it work? The solution keeps arrangements fresher and long-lasting by holding in moisture which in turn reduces water loss, keeping flowers vibrant. It is most often used as the final hydrating step on bouquets, corsages, on arches, and centre pieces. it works best during the hot weather months and arrangements that have little to no water for example when they have not been mounted in floral foam.
I'm an experienced floral designer with a deep understanding of the tools and techniques essential for creating stunning floral arrangements. Having worked in the industry for several years, I've honed my skills and developed a profound appreciation for the intricacies of floral design. Now, let's delve into the key concepts mentioned in the article about the 10 floral tools every florist should have.
1. The Floral Knife:
A floral knife is indispensable for any floral designer, providing both effectiveness and efficiency when cutting stems. The article emphasizes the importance of finding the right tool that suits your hand, as well as the technique involved in its usage. A floral knife is typically held in one hand while pulling away to make precise cuts.
2. Floral Branch Cutters:
For thicker stems and branches, scissors are deemed inappropriate, and the article recommends the use of branch cutters or clippers. These tools are designed to easily cut through tough stems without causing hand fatigue or dulling like scissors might. Choosing the right size and shape of branch cutters is crucial for optimal performance.
3. Flower Thorn Strippers:
Flower thorn strippers are essential for daily use in removing thorns and leaves from roses. The article suggests a gentle pulling motion down the stem, starting with enough space down from the rose head to prevent it from falling off.
4. Floral Cages:
Floral cages, made of sturdy plastic and filled with floral foam, are versatile tools secured with floral tape or florist wire. These cages are crucial for creating arrangements for various occasions such as sympathy, weddings, parties, and oversized floral designs.
5. Floral Tape:
Floral tape, available in different types and colors, is highlighted for its use in wrapping stems and lining vases. The green floral tape is praised for its ability to create a seamless green blend, disguising stems effectively.
6. Floral Foam:
Floral foam is recommended for stabilizing flowers in arrangements, with the added benefit of prolonging their lifespan by absorbing water. This tool is particularly useful for creating structured designs and preventing movement within the arrangement.
7. Florist Wire:
Florist wire is an excellent tool for manipulating the direction of flower heads, securing arrangements, and creating bows. The article emphasizes the importance of considering the wire gauge, with higher gauges being thinner and more flexible.
8. Floral Frog:
Flower frogs, especially kenzans or pin frogs, act as anchors for floral arrangements, keeping stems secure as you strategically place flowers. The variety in styles allows florists to choose the best fit for their specific design needs.
9. Floral Adhesive:
Floral adhesives find their use in attaching flowers to greens or bases, ensuring stability in corsages and boutonnieres. This tool is crucial for preventing flowers from moving or falling off, especially during movement.
10. Floral Crowing Glory:
Crowning Glory is described as a "liquid shield" that keeps flowers hydrated and vibrant for longer periods. Its application as a final hydrating step is highlighted, particularly in arrangements exposed to hot weather or those not mounted in floral foam.
In conclusion, these 10 essential floral tools and sundries contribute to the success of both amateur and professional florists, ensuring that the right tools are used for the right job in creating beautiful and enduring floral arrangements.
