How To Bend Flowers
Beautiful flower arrangements are for all occasions. They can be to express happiness, sorrow, love and appreciation. One of the best parts of flower arranging is bending the flowers to create a unique look. Although it may seem intimidating, bending flowers is a surprisingly fun, albeit delicate, way to customize your arrangements.
There are a few tricks to successfully and elegantly bend flower stems. When done correctly, your flowers will stay in place without wilting and will look so fresh that they might just last more than just a few days.
Step 1: Choose Your Flowers Wisely
Before you begin, select a flower that has a thicker, sturdy stem. This will allow the flower to bend easily without the stem breaking or wilting. Flowers such as roses, dahlias, heliconias, anthuriums and delphiniums have thicker stems and have some natural bend to them. Begin with firmer flowers and gradually move onto softer flowers with thinner stems for a more delicate bend.
Step 2: Preparing The Flower
Before you start bending a flower, you must remove any leaves and thorns. Be sure to remove any thorns and leaves that are located on the stem below the bloom, as these can damage the stem when bending. Cut the stem at a 45 degree angle, as this will increase the surface area in order to absorb the maximum amount of water and will also help keep the stem from breaking when bending.
Also, make sure the flower is freshly washed and dried since bending a wet stem can cause the stem to break.
Step 3: Mastering The Art Of Bending
Once you have chosen your flower, prepped the stem, and removed any leaves and thorns, you can begin to bend the stem of your flower. Begin by slowly and gently manipulating the stem so that it curves in a graceful angle. This can be done using your hands or with the help of flower wire.
Carefully wrap floral wire around the stem while manipulating the stem into the desired shape. Use your fingers to shape the stem and be sure to hold the stem firmly to avoid it from breaking. When the stem reaches your desired shape, secure the stem in place with an additional piece of floral wire.
Step 4: Secure The Stem
Make sure to add extra support to the stem in order to keep it from breaking or wilting. Wrap wire around the stem and attach it to a piece of florist tape to hold the stem firmly in place. Make sure the wire is securely fastened to the stem. You can also use floral tape to cover the entire stem, as this will help to hold the stem together and will make the flowers look more finished and elegant.
Step 5: Final Touches
Add a few extra touches to give your flower arrangement a finished look. Add ribbons, candles, and/or other decorative items to the arrangement to give it a unique and beautiful look.
Bending flowers can be a fun and creative way to add an elegant touch to any flower arrangement. It may take some practice to master the art of bending flowers, but with a few simple steps and some practice, you can easily turn an ordinary bouquet of flowers into an elegant work of art.
