i have a bride that wants all gardenias and stephanotis for her bridesmaids. i've never even used gardenias... any advice?? and what would be a good substitute-- i don't think she knows how pricey they are. the wedding is in may--
wedding jitters..
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Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
You never know what someone is willing to pay. If it were me, I'd offer several price points, including one using carnations as a background, with just a few gards & steph, one with hydrangea background and one with the works.
You just never know till you try it!
You just never know till you try it!
alisonm1215
New Member
I hope she is not planning an outdoor wedding because the bee swarm could be very distracting. I've only used gardenias sparingly and usually as cake decor because they bruise so easily. it is really hard to substitute such a unique flower, but Tracy brings up a good point of offering several options. The brides I have here in Austin turn their noses at carnations, but they will submit (sometimes) to cream majolika, porcileana or Vendela roses. They are nice and fragrant.
Is it just my part of the world or do you find that your brides are becomming more resistant to traditional flowers like roses and carns?
Is it just my part of the world or do you find that your brides are becomming more resistant to traditional flowers like roses and carns?
Gardenias are indeed delicate flowers......but with some attention and careful handling......they can be used quite easily.
As far as May availability......That is close to their natural blooming cycle and they should be beginning to be available.
Care and handling.
Number one tip......Before handling gardenias.....Wash your hands THOUROUGHLY with soap and warm water......the oils in your skin will cause browning.
Premium gardenias come three blooms to a box.....usually they have either a plastic leaf or a faux leaf collar. Extra-premium will have a collar of real leaves.
As you unwrap the blooms.....grasp the blooms by the stem ( Do not touch the petals ) and then trim a thin slice off the end of the stem and float them in a pan of luke-warm water.
Let their tissues become turgid and then coat them thouroughly with an anti-transpirant.
A lot of old-time florists will make an Elmers Glue and water mixture and dip the blooms in that.
Then either wet-cotton wrap the stems ends, pierce wire the stems, and wrap with floral tape or use a pre-made stem......something similar to a stephanotis stem.
As far as May availability......That is close to their natural blooming cycle and they should be beginning to be available.
Care and handling.
Number one tip......Before handling gardenias.....Wash your hands THOUROUGHLY with soap and warm water......the oils in your skin will cause browning.
Premium gardenias come three blooms to a box.....usually they have either a plastic leaf or a faux leaf collar. Extra-premium will have a collar of real leaves.
As you unwrap the blooms.....grasp the blooms by the stem ( Do not touch the petals ) and then trim a thin slice off the end of the stem and float them in a pan of luke-warm water.
Let their tissues become turgid and then coat them thouroughly with an anti-transpirant.
A lot of old-time florists will make an Elmers Glue and water mixture and dip the blooms in that.
Then either wet-cotton wrap the stems ends, pierce wire the stems, and wrap with floral tape or use a pre-made stem......something similar to a stephanotis stem.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Show them this picture:
and this one
maybe this one too
They all have carn backgrounds in them - for texture, bulk & color.
Hitomi Gilliam presented them during her wedding show we went to last year ... great ideas.
These girls have preconceived visions of carnations as an ancient homecoming flower ... used as a background, they have no idea how fab carns can be! InStyle weddings just did a wedding flower section, and it was two solid pages of carnations - the designer (forgot his name) did a great job showcasing these underappreciated flowers in interesting and unique ways - comparing them to peonies! Love it.
Have any of you ever been able to get gards on their stems??
I saw that on TV the other day and though "oh BS.."
Then I though "Wait a minute Shannon... You don't know everything!"
So just wondeering if any one else has gotten them on stems.
I saw that on TV the other day and though "oh BS.."
Then I though "Wait a minute Shannon... You don't know everything!"
So just wondeering if any one else has gotten them on stems.
In ages past......gardenias on their natural stems was commonplace.....You can still get them that way. Queen is right......unless you work with your supplier and order the absolute best premium gardenias available. They should come with real leaves.
A few florists will use a super-super soft paint brush and paint them with the elmers glue and water......I prefer to dip them however.
A few florists will use a super-super soft paint brush and paint them with the elmers glue and water......I prefer to dip them however.
Flame
Active Member
Wow the are beautiful Tracy!!!! I also heard to put milk on their petals by a very thin and soft paint brush -- have not tried that myself but apparently stops them from turning brown as well.
Meant to add - Thos bouquets are incredible. Gorgeous work.......I love, love, love the Silvertree leucadendron wrapped handle.
Tracy D'Amico
Well-Known Member
Whoops - Credit where credit is due - those are Hitomi's from THIS OLD THREAD from April. It was a great show - she has some great great ideas, including the carn thing.
There are also mini gardinia out there. I prefer using them when I can get them. They usually come 10 to a box (box like steph comes in). Don't let the wholesalers try to sell you work gardinia, they are different. I have attached a photo of a bouquet that I did about 6 years ago so that you could see the mini gardinia and steph in a bouquet. Good luck with your bride
Jody
Jody
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alisonm1215
New Member
Stunning bouquets. Thanks. I agree with you that the carn has got a bad wrap. It is funny when I mention using Dianthus stems for stability and texture, they're all over it.
As far as Gardenias go...I had a horrible time finding stemmed flowers with real foliage, so at one point I bought the foliage and the flower seperatly and wired them together at the final moment.
I've never used the glue treatment. Does anyone know why or if it works?
Thanks for the pics.
As far as Gardenias go...I had a horrible time finding stemmed flowers with real foliage, so at one point I bought the foliage and the flower seperatly and wired them together at the final moment.
I've never used the glue treatment. Does anyone know why or if it works?
Thanks for the pics.
alisonm1215
New Member
Using Elmers Glue and Water mixed is an old-time florists trick. We did that before the advent of such things as Crowning Glory. After you process the bloom, you dip or coat it in the glue and water.
If you use crowning glory - See if your wholesaler has any of the old style white crowning glory - before they started making the clear.....and use it full strength, not diluted.
Carol's technique - Fruit Fresh also works well.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember though.....is to constantly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. It is the natural oils in your skin that act on the petals to hasten bruising and browning. If you have to handle the blossom, use food service or latex medical gloves.....although the medical gloves may have a coating or powder on them that can have a deterimental effect.
If you use crowning glory - See if your wholesaler has any of the old style white crowning glory - before they started making the clear.....and use it full strength, not diluted.
Carol's technique - Fruit Fresh also works well.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember though.....is to constantly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. It is the natural oils in your skin that act on the petals to hasten bruising and browning. If you have to handle the blossom, use food service or latex medical gloves.....although the medical gloves may have a coating or powder on them that can have a deterimental effect.
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