Flower Arrangement

FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

Flower arrangement is the art of organizing and grouping plant materials (flowers, foliages, fruits, twigs etc) to achieve harmony of colour, form, texture therby adding  life and beauty to the surrounding.

Flower arrangements are done in the hotel because of:
‐Creating ambience and décor
‐Religious reasons
‐Amenities for VIP guests
‐Personalized service
‐To fit empty  unattractive spaces‐‐‐ acts as a camouflage
‐Special functions 

Who does flower arrangements in hotels?
‐Housekeeping is responsible for all flower arrangements and their placement in hotels
‐Large hotels have a horticulturist who looks after the entire gardening and florist who supplies and arranges flowers under the supervision of housekeepers
‐Some hotels also have contract service in which flowers and arrangements are bought in and taken away as per agreement 

Area where flower arrangement is prepared:
The flower arrangements are prepared in flower room equipped with sink, running water, containers, buckets, vases, scissors etc.

The areas in the hotel where flower arrangement are placed are:
‐A large arrangement of flowers in the foyer & in the lounges and restaurants
‐Small arrangements in suites
‐A budvase in every room
‐Medium sized round arrangements at the GRE's desk in lobby and on coffee tables in the lounge
‐Restaurants have budvases on each table
‐Low height table arrangements for conferences and meetings
‐Large arrangements at informal banquets can be seen
‐Wall arrangements and table centrepieces in buffet tables at wedding banquets
‐ Small arrangements in Executive offices             

EQUIPMENT & MATERIAL REQUIRED FOR FLOWER ARRANGEMENT: 

The equipment & material used for flower arrangement are a necessity which is listed below:
‐Mechanics
‐Equipment
‐Containers
‐Bases
‐Accessories
‐Plant material
‐Support

I)MECHANICS: These are items used to keep the flowers, foliages and stems in place within the container. Mechanics must be fixed securely and should be hidden from view.
They are:

i)Floral foam/Oasis:‐ A cellular plastic material which has ability to hold water but cannot be reused and is expensive.
They are of two types:
a) Green foam‐ These need to be soaked in water.Shapes found are mostly rounds and blocks and is used for fresh flower arrangements
b) Brown/ grey foam‐ Used only for dry arrangements or artificial display materials

ii) Beeswax‐ It is used to anchor the pin holder to the container and prevent it from shifting while arranging flowers.

iii)Chicken wire/ wire mesh/ wire netting: This is used to cover floral foam blocks. It is of 2 types ‐ galvanized wire & plastic coated wire.

iv)Pin holders / kenzan: A series of sharply pointed pins are firmly held in a solid lead base, which may be circular or rectangular in shape. It holds thick and heavy stems securely by impaling them on the pins. It is placed on shallow dishes or with other mechanics for display.

v)Prong: This is the simplest type of floral foam anchor. It is a small plastic disc with four vertical prongs. The base of the prong is attached to the container with adhesive clay and the block of round floral foam is pressed down onto the prongs.

vi)Florist's cone/ flower tube / flower funnel: It acts as a miniature vase where foliages or flowers need to be placed above their stem height. Its length is about 1 foot and the pointed end is tied to a cane which is pushed into the foam.

vii)Adhesive clay / oasis fix: It is a non‐ setting sticky clay in strip form which holds dry surfaces together. It is used for securing a pin holder or prong. It is brown or green colour. To remove it wipe with white spirit. Plasticine can be an alternative.

viii)Adhesive tape /oasis tape: This strong sticky tape may be wide or narrow and is used to secure floral foam or chicken wire to the container.

ix)Pebbles &  marbles: Round marbles or flattened glass nuggets, or pebbles can be used to add to the attractiveness of the display.

II)EQUIPMENT: This includes tools or other aids used to prepare flower arrangements.

i)Buckets‐ a vital equipment for collecting flowers from garden and conditioning blooms
ii)Scissors‐ used to crush tissues and cut flowers
iii)Secateurs‐ They are double spring scissors having spring between two blades and helps in cutting woody stems
iv)Mister/water sprinkler‐ a hand held spray bottle to produce fine mist of water helps in keeping arrangement fresh
v)Watering can‐ Used for topping up water supply in container or re wetting the foam
vi)Prongs‐ used to hold cut flowers
vii)Knife‐ it is used for scraping stems, removing leaves, stripping thorns
viii)Paints, finishes‐ Paints can be used on containers, mechanics

III)CONTAINERS: These are equipments where arrangements are placed which should be waterproof and should be simplistic in design Examples are:

i)Vases ‐ It is a container that is tall and narrow with a restricted mouth specially used for cut flowers. Bud vases are used for a single rose, tulip or orchid
ii)Jugs‐ It is a container with a single handle and useful for old world arrangements
iii)Basket‐ used for dried flower arrangements generally they are shallow, wide basket with high handle iv)Bowls‐ shallow containers used for arrangements.

IV)BASES: An object that is placed underneath the container to protect the surface of the support. Example

i)A straw, bamboo or plastic table mat 
ii)A cross section of a tree trunk. 
iii)Wood base of different shapes 
iv)Stone base of marble, slate, limestone 

V)ACCESSORIES: These are non plant materials included in or placed alongside the arrangement. Examples are baskets, miniature dolls, baby shoes, grain scoops, ribbons, artificial glitter, beads, candles, painted wires, shells, pebbles.

VI)PLANT MATERIALS: Any arrangement consists of flowers, foliages and fillers. Examples are
c) Flowers: Gladioli, bird of paradise, gerbera, oriental lilies, chrysanthemum, anthurium, tulips, orchids, Dutch rose, carnation, tuberose.
d) Foliages: Different leaves are used for arrangements like Erica palm, asparagus ferns, dracaena, philodendron, ivy, Keya leaves.
e) Fillers: These are also different  foliages which are used for arrangments like Golden rods, limonium, gypsophila (baby's breath), white asters (montecasino), yellow asters (solidago), Queen Anne's lace etc.

CONDITIONING OF PLANT MATERIAL

Flower arrangers used the term conditioning to refer to the preparation of cut plant materials for a long life, the filling of stems with water and prevention of wilting.

PREPARATION:
  When to cut:‐Plants should be cut early in the morning or late in evening when rate of transpiration is lowest and flowers are filled with moisture.
  How to cut:‐ Using sharp cutting instrument cut diagonally across the stem to have clean, cut providing maximum area for water absorption
  Immediate Immersion:‐ Once cut plant material should be immediately immersed in water to prevent wilting
  Hardening;‐ Plants should be allowed to stand in water 8" depth for 6‐ 8 hrs before arrangeent ensuring absorption of water
  Cutting under water:‐ Stems should be cut under water to prevent air bubbles forming within stem which causes flowers to wilt,so that maximum water absorption takes place
  Searing: Stems which emit a milky white sap when cut should either be held over a flame or placed in boiling water for few seconds to prevent the life giving sap from draining off.
  Shearing: Excessive leaves should be removed as they give a tangled appearance, increased transpiration, cause decay and unpleasant odour.
  Ensure arrangement is placed away from sunlight
  Ensure water level is adequate and maintained
  Addition of sugar, ammonia. Camphor, aspirin slows bacterial growth thus prolonging life of flowers

AFTERCARE:
The following guidelines for aftercare are:

a)Ensure that the arrangement is placed away from direct sunlight to prevent dehydration.
b)Do not put flowers near a fruit bowl as they emit ethylene gas when ripening which cause wilting of flowers.
c)Prolong the freshness of the arrangement by spraying water from a mister.
d)Change the water of the vase everyday to last the arrangement longer.
e)Listerine, ammonia, charcoal, salt, lemonade, sugar, camphor or aspirin is added in small amounts to the water slows down bacterial growth, thus prolonging the life of flowers.
f)Use clean containers to prevent premature fouling and bacterial growth.

STYLES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
Different styles of flower arrangement can be found. They are as follows:

a)Based on the angle of view:
i)All around:‐ This is designed to be seen from all sides and is placed on a table centerpiece
ii)Facing/ Front view/ Flat back‐ Designed only to be seen from front or side and placed on shelf/sideboard

b) Based on the space present:
i)Mass style: The arrangement is an all‐round one.
ii)Line style: Most  of the display is done in a line with limited use of plant material. Example, Ikebana.
iii)Line‐mass style: The skeleton is done by line material and then filled with flowers. Example, Triangular shape, circular shape, crescent shape, fan shape, Hogarth or‘s' shape.
iv)Miscellaneous style: Parallel style, landscape style.

c)Based on shape:
  Horizontal Arrangements‐ used for long table arrangements
  Vertical Arrangements‐ used for vase arrangements
   Triangular Arrangements‐ used for symmetrical arrangements
  Oval arrangements‐ Used mostly for formal arrangements
  Crescent Arrangements ‐ Crescent is assymetrical and formal in character
  Parallel style‐ Also called European style spread from Holland with rectangular block of foam, group of stem arises vertically

d) Based on type of plant material used:
i)Foliage arrangement‐ Designed with fresh leaves and made into an  arrangement
ii)Dried flower arrangement ‐These are made with dry plants like wood roses, wood berries, cones, poppy heads, bulrushes, firs, beeches, brooms, grass and reeds.

e) Based on the effect:
i)Formal arrangement / Western/ Traditional:  This is symmetrical mass arrangements.They are elaborate and with attractive containers.
ii) Semiformal‐ It is not completely symmetrical
ii)Informal arrangement: This is asymmetrical i.e. high and light material on one side flowing in towards the axis, is balanced by larger shorter material, low and flowing away from the axis on to the other side of the line.
iii)Modern / free styles: Blend of Western and Japaneese style resulted in new style free from stiffness of rules and traditional forms based on creativity of the individual.
iv)Abstract‐In this design it reflects designers own feelings based on structural design and geometric patterns
v)Eastern / Ikebana / Japanese: The word Ikebana means ‘making flowers live' in Japaneese. They are symbolic representation of  harmony which exists between earth and eternal life. In each arrangement, there is an imaginary triangle ‐Heaven, Man and Earth are represented by means of three main branches.
‐SHIN is the highest branch and symbolizes heaven ; it ends on the central axis of the vase. This stem should be 1½ ‐2½ times the height of the container.
‐SOE is the second highest stem represents man which looks towards earth.It provides width to the arrangement and is about ¾ the heights of the tallest branch. This stem forms an angle of 45° with the rim of the container.
‐HIKAE is the lowest stem and denotes Earth This branch is about 1/2 of the second stem and forming an angle of 115° with the rim of the container and is used to blance the arrangement.

FEATURES OF IKEBANA:
  They use tall vases(made of bamboo, bronze, pottery) and low bowls( made of bronze, pottery
  They always use odd no. of flowers as they are considered to be lucky
  The arrangement is based on simplistic designs
  There is no overcrowding of plants

OTHER  ORIENTAL ARRANGEMENTS:

‐Arrangements in a low or flat container is known as MORIBANA style.
‐Arrangements in tall vase without pin holder is HIKAE style.
‐Floating arrangements are known as UKIBANA
‐Basket arrangements are MORIMONO
‐A triangular, symmetrical, formal arrangement with strict rules of lengths and angles is SEIKA style ‐Classical arrangements in tall cylindrical vases with natural effect is

NAGERIE PLACEMENT OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

i)Low level (On the floor upto 8"): This type of arrangement is found in landscapes, urns ,floating arrangments etc.
ii)Eye level (18" to 4 ft): Arrangements seen on TV tops, alcoves, coffee table, dressing table. iii)High level (5 ft & above): Anything placed above eye level  like arrangement found on pelmets &
suspended from the ceiling.
           
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN AS APPLIED TO FLOWER ARRANGEMENT

The basic principles of art are also applicable to the art of flower arrangement.The principles are as follows:

I)DESIGN:‐.  All arrangements should have a proper design; that is the structural pattern of the arrangement which determines the shape, size and suitability of the various component parts and their relationship to each other. For creating a good design the following points should be considered: i)The stems should all flow from a central point, avoiding cross stems.
ii)The focal point(central area from which flowers and foliages appear to emerge) should be under the tallest point.
iii)The flower used should not be monotonous.
iv)The height, width and depth required to be proportionate.
v)The shape ought to be clearly defined.

II)SCALING/PROPORTION:Means the size relationship between the component parts of an arrangement, involving a good proportion bewtween plant material, container, size and function.  To achieve correct scaling the points to be borne in mind are:
i)One should avoid using together very different types of material.
ii)Put huge flowers in a large low container rather than in a tall narrow one.
iii)No flower should be more than one‐third of the size of the container.
iv)If a round vase is used then use a round base.
v)One should fill ⅔ of the space in a given vase & use the surrounding space to set off the arrangement.
vii)The height of the material should be 1 & 1½ times the height of the container (or the width of the container if it is long & low).     

III)BALANCE:‐ It is shown in the way in which materials are grouped in a design and physical as well as visual balance needs to be considered.The components of balance are form(size which creates apparent weight) and
colour( Darker color gives an improession of weight.

A)PHYSICAL BALANCE:
i)Symmetrical balance: This occurs when the material is so arranged that if we draw an imaginary line through the centre of the arrangement one would find visually equal distribution of material on each side of the line.
ii)Asymmetrical balance: This is so placed that high and light material on one side of the imaginary line, balanced by larger shorter material on the other side
iii)Balance by placement: Means that the arrangement is placed to one side of a long base.
iv)Balance by accessories: Means that anything from a figurine to leaves may be used on the weakest side.

B)VISUAL BALANCE:

It can be achieved by following the points:
i)Dark flowers look heavier than pale ones.
ii)Round flowers look heavier than conical ones.
iii)Large flowers to be placed centrally and close to the bottom of the arrangement.

C) SUITABLE BACKGROUND:

The various aspects to be considered are:
f)       Style of the room
g)      Size of the room
h)      Type of wall surface
i)        Practicality

D)VARIETY OF PLANT TEXTURE:
‐ Plant material comes in various textures like glossy, velvety, dull, and prickly. A glossy flower is brightened when placed next to matt foliage.

IV)RHYTHM:
‐ This is the feeling of motion created by using curved lines. It can be achieved by:
i)Using  graduating sizes or different degrees of opening  of the flowers
ii)Using curves stems
iii)Using foliages of various sizes and contrasting shapes
iv)Having an irregular line of various ‐ sized blooms

V)PROPER USE OF COLOUR:‐ Colours should be used judicially.

VI)EMPHASIS:

‐ Emphasis should be achieved by creating a focal point or centre of interest. The usual   methods of achieving emphasis are:
i)Include a small group of bold flowers (dominant material)
ii)Use an unusual container iii)Use striking foliage and use dark leaves to accentuate light colours.

VII) HARMONY:
‐ In the finished arrangement as a whole, the material used, the container, and accessories should harmonize into one overall framework.

VIII)DISTINCTION:
‐ This is the most important asset. Either your arrangement has it or not. It is achieved by:
i)Using of unusual material
ii)Unusual method of emphasis has been used
iii)The colour combination is useful
iv)The finish is perfect
v)A good contrast has built up a strong design.

IX)REPETITION:‐ In color and form is essential for the arrangment to look harmonious but it should not be carried too much. If not followed the arrangment looks incomplete and if overdone it is monotonous and overcrowded.