Floral Foam - An alternative, just maybe...

The following is not intended to be a particularly scientific experiment but we thought it worth passing on to you that we were recently offered an off-cut from a coir brick with a suggestion that it could be used as an alternative to using standard floral foam in a flower arrangement.

The following are the steps we took to create a flower arrangement and to find whether the coir has the capability to securely hold flowers and maintain their life.

To start we used one of our Melamine Trays. 
The tray size is 20Lx10Wx4.5cm internal depth.

Tray with dried coir

Tray after the coir has been saturated

As you may know, dried compressed coir has the capability to double it size when soaked with water. We allowed the coir to absorb as much water as possible without becoming too saturated, then compressed it slightly, finally adding just a little more water.

The example of flowers in the photo above demonstrates how stems can be supported by the softened coir, the tray being 4.5cm or slightly less than 2 inches deep could if increased we think, support taller flowers and foliage.

With only fresh water used to saturate the coir there has been no nutrients for the flowers but in this experiment they have lasted well after 7 days, possibly if a sachet of floral feed was used in the saturation process the life of an arrangement could be extended.

Overall we hope you may agree that perhaps with one or two adjustments this exercise could prove to be yet another sustainable alternative to floral foam.The tray of course could be re-used many times over, the coir possibly could also be used again although it may need supplementing with another piece of coir and refreshing with a little more feed, but if not it is entirely home compostable.

Whilst at the moment we stock the Melamine Trays used in this trial we do not have coir bricks available, however with enough interest we could make this available for our customers. Please drop us a line to sales@floralmechanics.co.uk with your comments.

A sachet of standard flower food powder could be mixed with water to saturate the coir and help enhance the life of flowers. 

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Wired For Christmas

Possibly some of the most attractive and economic Christmas decorations can be made using wire bases all of which are reusable. Collecting together some holly and Christmas tree cuttings will make a solid foundation for a door wreath or as in the case of our Star on a Stand (below) a table arrangement.

The simplest of seasonal foliage make excellent wreaths 

The Wire Star below is from the same manufacturer as the item above.
Both are made from sturdy 3mm wire finished in a gold lacquer.

For traditionalists our Flat Wire Rings available in
10 or 12inch diameters there can be no other choice.

Before adding any final trimmings weave in a set
of 40 micro LED battery operated lights.
All you need do is switch on at say dusk, they stay lit for 6 hours then
turn themselves off. They'll follow the same schedule each day until re-set
so no need remembering to turn them on and off.

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Christmas Candles

Festive Candles and Candlesticks

Candles bring so much to festive floral arrangements, whether they are used as an integral part a table arrangent or stand alone using one or two of your old time favourite candlestick holders or a modern clear glass or gold finish, they never fail to disappoint.

The traditional tapered candles available in our webshop meet the exacting standards our customers expect from us, at 25cm tall they provide an 8 hour burning time or if not to be lit and used for decoration only, they'll provide that finishing touch you need throughout Christmas and into the new year. 

Our tapered candles are available in the following colours.
Silver
Holly Green
Ivory
Red
Gold

Candle Holders
Simple, effective and reuseable for securing candles
into table or mantle arrangements.

For that extra effect, how about something a little more contemporary?  

 Twisted Stripes

 Twisted off-white/cream

                 Red & Gold Twisted

Clear Glass Candlestick Holder

Gold Glass Candlestick Holder

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the following link to your email or social media.

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Saltford and Keynsham Flower Club

Website

Facebook

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Tip For Today - Drying Orange Slices

Drying Orange Slices

A question was recently posted on our social media with some helpful answers to make your own dried orange slices quickly which we thought was worth sharing for others to read.
Many thanks to both for your comments.

Q: Hi does anyone use a dehydrator to make dried orange slices?  I’m not having much luck the slices have black mould on them today after putting them in the dehydrator  yesterday and this is my second attempt. I used to just put them on a cooling rack and let them dry naturally which always worked.

A: I do mine in the microwave. Place 2 sheets of kitchen roll on oven plate, place oranges on paper and cook for 2 minutes. Remove paper and repeat. Cool on wire rack.

Q: Thanks will try - do you use high heat?

A: Yes I do. Just keep your eye on the oven and watch the oranges change to that golden colour.

Please copy and paste to share this post with the following link for those who might be interested in this tip.

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Melamine Tray

Recently arrived from Holland.

Melamine Tray.

Black with grey effect.

20Lx10Wx4.5cm internal depth.

Ideal for any floral arrangement particularly if you want to avoid using floral foam and would like to experiment with pin holders.

All dimensions approximate.

No.535163.

Find this tray for more information

The photo of the flower arrangement below was created using a similar shallow tray to that of the melamine tray in the photo above using only pin holders to support the flowers and foliage which are several years old. They just keep going and going and have proved a great investment.

Pin Holders

Christmas Wreaths

With many seeking ways of making Christmas wreaths
other than using rings made of floral foam with plastic bases
we thougt this wire star shape could be an attractive alternative.

Perfectly shaped from 3mm wire and finished with a gold lacquer
this 40cm star could be re-used many times over in different guises.

But if your choice is a more traditional circular shape then flat wire rings are a great alternative, easy to weave and fix winter foliage.

 

Whether you prefer a star or ring, either enhanced perhaps with a string of battery operated lights they'll make fantastic welcome to your home.

Fixing foliage to your rings is made easy, simply use a lightweight easy to
manage reel wire or for greater flexibility jute string is the perfect answer.

Please Click Here for more information of the star and rings.

String lights and other options Click Here.

Jute string Click Here.

Reel Wire Click Here.

Floral Phoam

The much debated floral foam as we know it today may soon have a successor.

Phoam Labs patented foam is being developed to replace the phenolic foam widely used today in flower arranging and the floristry industry around the world.

Over the past seven years, following research carried out at the University of Minnesota, USA, Phoam Labs developed a compostable polylactide (PLA) to replace the phenolic foam widely used today in flower arranging and the floristry industry around the world.
Patents were granted in both the US and Europe in 2022.

Today, at the Phoam Labs R&D facility in Minneapolis, they are making the world’s first full size compostable floral foam bricks and plan to be in commercial production later in 2023.

PLA is totally renewable within a 12-month cycle. Phoam Labs™ patented floral foam generates no micro-plastics and contains no toxic chemicals for their employees, users, and the environment.

The foam is designed to be used as both a wet and dry foam for both dried and fresh flowers.

It is plant based and fully compostable.
In tests at the Composting Manufactures Alliance, 95% of it had disappeared after 10 weeks. 
Made from renewable materials it is 100% non-toxic.

Plant based, it is derived from corn which is mashed to a pulp and turned into pellets. CO² is then injected which expands the pellets and causes them to stick together, forming a natural, open cell polymer which can take up water. 

The result?
A block cut to the same dimensions as traditional floral foam but much lighter and less dense to the touch. And no ‘dust’ to irritate skin or eyes. 

How quickly does it absorb water?
It takes between 45-90 seconds, but it does need to be held down, as it’s so light it floats.  

What colour is it?
It is currently dyed pale green using a food grade dye, but other colours may appear in the future. 

When can I get my hands on it?
Production begins at the end of 2023, so it should be in wholesalers from early 2024 onwards.

If you would like to share this blog, the address is;
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This blog is your blog

This blog could be your blog too.
It was created to offer information of new products, ideas and events. In fact anything and everything to do with flower arranging, the possibilities are endless.

Without cost, we could create a page to publicise your forthcoming events, whether that may be to attract new members or tell of a forthcoming demonstration or workshop etc. 

How would this work?
Just email us with information of what you want to say, this could be text, a photo or a copy of your poster, or a combination of all.

When your post is published it's title is added into the margin on the right of this page in date order, it stays there for every visitor to see, near and far. The post also has it's own unique web link which can be copied from the address bar of your web browser for you and others to share with club members, friends and other flower clubs that you may be in contact with.
We suggest your post contains a valid email address for means of contact.

As an example of a weblink, the address for this post is, please feel free to share it with others to gain their opinion:
https://floralmechanics-uk.blogspot.com/2023/11/this-blog-is-your-blog.html

If you would like to create a new post, simply drop us line with your information either by using the Contact Form in the right hand margin of this page or by email if you have any images to enquiries@floralmechanics.co.uk

We'll look forward to hearing from you. 

   

Spray Trays

Possibly one of the most overlooked but one of the most economical items used in flower arranging, particularly during the festive season to create door swags.

Apart from being reusable, Spray Trays are so versatile and cost effective,

just one third of a floral foam brick fits into the tray secured with
pot tape they are ready to decorate.

Excellent for Christmas workshops or fund raising events such as Christmas Fairs.

Overall length including handle 22cm.
Tray 11 x 8cm.
Deep 22mm.
All dimensions approximate.

Worth a second look for more information? Click Here.