Sweethearts or spray roses?

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Theresa

Theresa

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Aug 30, 2006
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Amanda
www.bloomingflowers.net
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OH
Do you use sweethearts or spray roses for wristlet's and corsages?

I've been using canadian sweethearts, but prefer the look of spray roses. My wholesaler says the sweethearts are more reliable. With glue though, I don't think stem strength is an issue.


Thoughts?
 
With glue - stem strength is a moot point because you aren't using the stem......except for about 1/4 of an inch or so just below the head. Spray roses can have buds, slightly open, and full open blooms on the same stem......giving more texture and fullness to the corsage - sweetheart roses are usually all buds and to me have more of a refined appearance.

The real comparison probably boils down to wholesale cost........spray roses typically come 5 to 7 stems in a bunch and have an average of 4 to 7 blooms.......sweetheart roses as far as I know still come in 25 stem bunches.....1 bloom per stem.

Which is more cost-effective to use?

 
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I prefer sweethearts, of course cost is an issue. I've even mixed the two in a wristlet.
 
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Sprays, more bang for your buck is right.
Here is a tip I learned at a design show and it works like a charm.
Glue leaves, tulle, bow on the wristlett first.
Take the flower stem on a spray and cut it flat with scissors at the base of the bulb part. Shove a chenille stem up through the base, push it quite a ways in but not through to the middle of the flower. Then cut off the chenille with just enough to crimp it upward on the base of the flower.
This way you can use hot pan glue (fast!) because the glue will stick to the chenille stem and you can glue the flowers around the bow and then just glue in the final accents (whatever you use). That sucker doesn't move or go anywhere.
 
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giving more texture and fullness to the corsage - sweetheart roses are usually all buds and to me have more of a refined appearance.
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Good point, thanks!...I need to clarify the look with the customer. (not my preference).
 
We use spray roses.
We always use the cold glue, mostly starting with a bow and leaf base.
We use ivy leaves, pitt, laurel (from the yard) as a base for the roses.

If I use a bigger rose, I have been adding some wire to secure then glue, just don't want the rose to pop off.
 
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Theresa said:
Good point, thanks!...I need to clarify the look with the customer. (not my preference).
Click to expand...

Good point, but then you also may want to clarify what look you are going for with your shopas far as corsage work goes.

We use sprays with the some open, some closed, idea bringing texture to our work. We at the shop are not fans of the full size rose on a corasge that we often see.

So our look is a more texture delicate one. We will make a big honker if the customer asks but when we buy wholesale we buy with "our look" in mind.

Hope this helps
 
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vghstaffer said:
Sprays, more bang for your buck is right.
Here is a tip I learned at a design show and it works like a charm.
Glue leaves, tulle, bow on the wristlett first.
Take the flower stem on a spray and cut it flat with scissors at the base of the bulb part. Shove a chenille stem up through the base, push it quite a ways in but not through to the middle of the flower. Then cut off the chenille with just enough to crimp it upward on the base of the flower.
This way you can use hot pan glue (fast!) because the glue will stick to the chenille stem and you can glue the flowers around the bow and then just glue in the final accents (whatever you use). That sucker doesn't move or go anywhere.
Click to expand...

I'm sure it works great for you but you should not use hot pan glue on fresh flowers-
instead use oasis floral adhesive ( not hot glue).

I also think spray roses are better- I used Eufloria spray roses which are amazing too! A little more expensive but the bunches give you twice as many blooms compared to SA sprays-
 
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We use spray roses as well. We found that our customers didn't care what type of rose was used just as long as the price was reasonable. Since sweethearts cost just as much as standard roses, we can't afford to use them without charging an arm and a leg so we switched to sprays and nobody ever even noticed.
 
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RWK said:
With glue - stem strength is a moot point because you aren't using the stem......except for about 1/4 of an inch or so just below the head. Spray roses can have buds, slightly open, and full open blooms on the same stem......giving more texture and fullness to the corsage - sweetheart roses are usually all buds and to me have more of a refined appearance.

The real comparison probably boils down to wholesale cost........spray roses typically come 5 to 7 stems in a bunch and have an average of 4 to 7 blooms.......sweetheart roses as far as I know still come in 25 stem bunches.....1 bloom per stem.

Which is more cost-effective to use?
Click to expand...

Ditto. We always use sprays (like the variation in sizes) and combine them with other flowers as well: alstro, dendro, delph blossoms, mini carns and whatever fits into the color scheme. I never never ask the customers what kind of flowers they want. We only ask the color of the dress and tell them that we will try to start with a ribbon that either matches or complimints. we tell them that all corsages are a bit different. We offer different price points and go from there.
 
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I actually use the pan melt without the chenille stem & have never had a problem. With hundreds of them under my belt, I'm comfortable that the posies are safe & sound. When we have many corsages we pull from a pool of sprays, sweets, dendro, steph & mini cyms. We accent with rhinestones, a variety of beads & gems, floralytes, pearls & cut up beaded vase collars depending on the price point. I never glue on the base puff, whether it's tulle or ribbon. We always tie them on either the beaded bands or snap bracelets. We make a point of making sure that EVERY one is different from anyone elses at the same prom. Takes a little extra time but the kids really seem to get it & send their friends to us as well. Our price point varies from $25 to $45 for the corsage. It's tedious but I really enjoy making them. Last night was an all nighter cuz we have 4 proms this week. Getting a little dopey now!
 
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I think sprays are waaay more cost effective. The sweethearts are the same price each, as a regular rose. Also they are longer which isn't great for gluing. Sprays all the way! :)
 
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We use spray roses as well. We found that our customers didn't care what type of rose was used just as long as the price was reasonable. Since sweethearts cost just as much as standard roses, we can't afford to use them without charging an arm and a leg so we switched to sprays and nobody ever even noticed.
Click to expand...

OMgosh Heather, thanks.

Lots of great information, thanks all!
 
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