Dozen roses in two minutes

[anytimeflowers]

Okay, so I've had some questions on how I do this, and rather than try to explain, I videoed it.

[video=youtube;dvwFXTYMgI8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvwFXTYMgI8[/video]

 

[concord]

Great movie, Linda! I laughed, I cried...I'm telling on my friends to watch!

 

[BOSS]

Movie stars... sheesh

Great job Linda~! Thanks...

 

[lil_goldie]

Thanks Linda, great video

 

[Sarah Jane]

Wow Linda. I learn so much from your videos. I'm trying that rose vase thing. That's so awesome.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Not too shabby. What do you think is your "real time" is start to finish.. I bet with reading the ticket, getting the vase, filling the vase, preparing your greens, cleaning the roses, making the arrangement, with filler, (and a stupid bow if you must-yuck) putting the card on and truly ready for delivery or for the customer it would be 6 minutes.

Like I said- 6 minutes is my magic number.

 

[anytimeflowers]

I usually only do this for holidays, especially VD. Otherwise it gets a little more care so most definitely takes a bit longer. For VD, everything, including the vase with water packed in the box, is done already. After VD, my husband spends about an hour on my hands! lol

El yucko - NO BOWS (unless they want one)

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I have things lined up and prepped too. Good job.

 

[conchandler]

Can I clone you for V-day?? lol
That was a great video, thanks.

 

[CHR]

Linda -

Good presentation. Fast and very effective.

I did cringe when you cut so much off the bottoms of the stems - 4"-6"? That's a lot of perceived value in the height. Did you start with 70 cms? Maybe using 50cms so only an inch gets lost? Otherwise I'd use a taller, more premium vase to keep the wow in the length.

Great tips for getting roses arranged FAST.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Linda -

Good presentation. Fast and very effective.

I did cringe when you cut so much off the bottoms of the stems - 4"-6"? That's a lot of perceived value in the height. Did you start with 70 cms? Maybe using 50cms so only an inch gets lost? Otherwise I'd use a taller, more premium vase to keep the wow in the length.

Great tips for getting roses arranged FAST.

Cathy, Thanks!

Yes, I knew people would cringe at that, they are actually 80cm, and end up looking silly if they are too tall in that vase. I do have a roman crystal vase that I use for a premium dozen. I also knew people would cringe seeing me use the cutters instead of a knife. Yep, I cut off 4 or more inches.

 

[Sarah Jane]

Cathy, Thanks!

Yes, I knew people would cringe at that, they are actually 80cm, and end up looking silly if they are too tall in that vase. I do have a roman crystal vase that I use for a premium dozen. I also knew people would cringe seeing me use the cutters instead of a knife. Yep, I cut off 4 or more inches.

Are you supposed to cut rose stems with a knife? I always use cutters. Is that bad? I learn something new everyday around here. I'm trying this trick today.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Are you supposed to cut rose stems with a knife? I always use cutters. Is that bad? I learn something new everyday around here. I'm trying this trick today.

Yes, you should cut as many flowers with a SHARP florist knife as possible. Why? You get a cleaner cut and the flower stems can take up water better. Clippers/scissors can pinch the stems and inhibit the up take of wayer. If you must use clippers, be sure they are super sharp to get the best cut. AND you should be cleaning your tools regularly.

 

[CHR]

My favorite pair of clippers - see the Ikebana Pruners on this page - make a great clean cut and work fantastically on heavy stems.

Japanese designers have been using clippers for centuries and most Ikebana masters use them over a knife.

 

[Kristine]

bypass clippers (like Cathy's) are just a good as a knife. It's the anvil type clippers that can mash the stems.

at least that was what I was taught.. all those years ago.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Are you supposed to cut rose stems with a knife? I always use cutters. Is that bad? I learn something new everyday around here. I'm trying this trick today.

Sarah Jane,

Yes and no. The main thing is to make sure you are using a tool that will not pinch the tiny veins running along the sides of the stems. This can be caused by using tools, like scissors, that have a tendency to loosen. When they do, the precision is gone, and you will find that the flower is getting bent downward as you apply pressure.

Not good. This is damaging those veins and they will not be able to take up water, as Shannon said. The problem with the cutters that I used is exactly that. Once the nut starts to loosen, there is give and that is very bad. The cutters are expensive and so people don't replace them as often as they should.

I had someone come and take mine to sharpen them and put them back together. He used some sort of oil in the mechanizm and it killed a lot of my flowers before I figured out what had happened! Now I just buy new. I seldom use a knife except for really soft stems like callas.

Cleanliness is paramount. Everything that is on that cutting edge is being transferred into the veins of each flower you cut. This is not a 30 second rule thing. You are definitely transferring it. So cleaning your tools often, and by often I mean a MINIMUM of once a day, is crucial to vase life.

The reason I made the comment about the cutters is because there are many, many purists who believe you never use anything but a knife. I was one of those until I worked at a shop that did not allow designers to use knives! He didn't want anybody to get hurt so he wouldn't allow it. Much to my surprise, it didn't seem to have any effect on vase life, and so the habit stuck with me.

So, there is the long answer to your question. Go ahead and use cutters but keep them in tip-top condition and when they start getting old, (six months is my top age) replace with new or find someone who can bring them back to good operating condition without using oil.

I can't wait to hear how your first attempt goes!

 

[Sarah Jane]

Wow, I didn't know any of this. I knew the cutters had to be cleaned but I thought a few times a month was sufficient. I just called my sidekick and asked her to pick up a new pair on her way back. I'm freaking out. What is the best way to clean them?

The only other shop I've ever worked at didn't use knives. There weren't many "real" designers around (They usually didn't like the sales focused/franchise/production style type atmosphere that it was so they just never stayed long) so as a result I'm mostly self-taught in design (though heavily trained in sales/marketing). I tried to pick up as much knowledge as I could when they did come through but I never knew about the clipper cleaning importance. ...and come to think of it I did always wonder why they would bring their own knives to work to use. This explains a lot. I'm going to brush up on my knife skills.

My first attempt of the rose vase was a flop. I don't think I used enough greenery but all I have today is tree fern and pittosporum so that was most likely the problem. I will hit up the wholesaler in the morning and try again.

 

[anytimeflowers]

Wow, I didn't know any of this. I knew the cutters had to be cleaned but I thought a few times a month was sufficient. I just called my sidekick and asked her to pick up a new pair on her way back. I'm freaking out. What is the best way to clean them?

The only other shop I've ever worked at didn't use knives. There weren't many "real" designers around (They usually didn't like the sales focused/franchise/production style type atmosphere that it was so they just never stayed long) so as a result I'm mostly self-taught in design (though heavily trained in sales/marketing). I tried to pick up as much knowledge as I could when they did come through but I never knew about the clipper cleaning importance. ...and come to think of it I did always wonder why they would bring their own knives to work to use. This explains a lot. I'm going to brush up on my knife skills.

My first attempt of the rose vase was a flop. I don't think I used enough greenery but all I have today is tree fern and pittosporum so that was most likely the problem. I will hit up the wholesaler in the morning and try again.

1.) How to clean tools - I usually use the DCD bucket wash and scrub brush, make sure to get bristles in as far as you can between blades on cutters. You DO scrub your buckets after every use, right?

2.) Tree fern and pitt would work, but the pitt would get awfully expensive. Also, I had already been a designer for 10 years before I ever attempted the dozen in the hand, so I've been doing it for 20+ years, I may have an advantage! That's why I don't mind putting it for public view on youtube, it may LOOK easy but......

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

many florists cannot do a spiral handtie, if their life depended on it, even Mikey does them, all day long.
Thanks Linda, you gotta have two main ingredients...big hands, and a big heart for posting this......
By the way, with a little help, I've done up to 55 70cm Freedoms in a handtie, so far........

 

[DFlorist]

many florists cannot do a spiral handtie, if their life depended on it, even Mikey does them, all day long.
Thanks Linda, you gotta have two main ingredients...big hands, and a big heart for posting this......
By the way, with a little help, I've done up to 55 70cm Freedoms in a handtie, so far........

We spiral all of our bouquets, I think I learned how to spiral my second day that I started working in a shop. And yes, big hands definitely do help! I can't quite get 55 in my hand, but I sure can come close.