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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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.

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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.