Do you have these basic flower arranging tools -the ones that the pros use?

Flower arranging tools make a huge difference in how easily you put a centerpiece together. You wouldn’t try to cook without pots and pans, or make home repairs without a home toolkit. But somehow we don’t seem to collect the basic toolkit that makes it all so much easier.

So let’s correct that right now. Let’s take inventory.

Check out this list of flower arranging tools, and how to use them. Which ones do you need to get to create your basic toolkit?

1. Floral foam. Some people just call this by Oasis, its brand name. Floral foam is a spongy green material you put inside a container. First you soak it in water and then you can poke flower stems into it.

   You can get two types, instant foam with little holes already poked in it, or a denser brick.

   Instant foam will work for the table arrangements we are suggesting. The heavier brick type works if you are ever making an arrangement with heavier branches and stems.

   Instant foam is easier to saturate with water than the denser bricks. Just put it in the water and let it sink by itself. Don’t try to push it down.

2. Cutting scissors. Use these to cut stems and thin wires.

   Get a pair of scissors just for your floral toolkit. That way you won’t be searching madly for the kitchen drawer scissors someone else took every time you start making your table arrangements.

   And you won’t be trying to break the stems by hand. This is particularly hard if they are roses with thorns! A dedicated pair of scissors is a much better plan.

3. Clear floral tape. This is one of those little magic expert tricks. Use it for making grids over the opening of your container. Just crisscross pieces of tape across the mouth of the container. Then you can insert the flowers in the spaces between the pieces of tape.

   Careful placement of foliage will hide any tape coming over the sides of the container.

4. Small sharp knife for cutting flower stems
5. Green floral tape to secure floral foam to your container
6. Floral preservative
7. Container to store your flower arranging supplies

When you go shopping to complete your stock of flower arranging tools, why not buy a few flowers to practise on? Or gather them from the garden if you can.

Enjoy trying out your new flower arranging tools, the kind the experts use!

P.S. Here’s that list again in short form so you can print it out to go shopping with.

1. Floral foam (Oasis)
2. Cutting scissors
3. Clear floral tape
4. Small sharp knife for cutting flower stems
5. Green floral tape
6. Floral preservative
7. Container for flower arranging supplies

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