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Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 39 Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 39 Step by Step hen we think of traditional colors and fl ower arrangement styles for the fall season, we typically gravitate toward hues of oranges, yellows and browns, designed as a centerpiece or in a cornucopia style. Most customers will be satisfi ed with arrangements in that palette and those styles for celebrating fall because they will be just what most people expect. STEP 1 GATHER THE BOUNTY As with any bounty, there is an abundance of seasonal and fresh items in this bouquet. Using a soft color palette of pinks, purples, beiges and yellows, select 10 to 14 types of botanicals, including focal fl owers, fi ller/ accent fl owers and greenery. Make sure there is a nice balance of colors and plenty of variety in textures. Also include two or three interesting seasonal vegetable or fruit items to complement the fl owers you've selected. STEP 2 PREP THE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Using a hot-glue gun, wood skewers and fl orist wire, secure the fruits and/or vegetable items in place. Bundle three ears of Indian corn, and hot-glue them together at the bottom, making sure you can see all three from one angle. Wrap the bottom of the ears of corn with paper-covered wire, for additional security. Tape three skewers together with the waterproof tape or stem wrap, and hot-glue the skewer bundle to the bottom of the corn bundle, to give it a strong stem. For smaller items like persimmons, attach a single skewer wrapped with waterproof tape or stem wrap, and secure with hot glue. STEP 3 PREP THE STEMS Once you have selected all of your materials, clean the stems you plan to use, leaving the topmost leaves in place, which will add MATERIALS BOTANICALS • Rosa spp. 'Nautica' (hybrid tea rose) • Helianthus annuus (sunfl ower) • Leucospermum spp. (pincushion) • Protea susannae 'Pink Ice' (stink-leaf sugarbush) • Chrysanthemum x morifolium (disbud mum) • Pycnosorus globosus [formerly Craspedia globosa] (billy button, drumstick) • Achillea millefolium (common yarrow, cottage yarrow, Western yarrow, milfoil, devil's nettle) • Anigozanthos fl avidus (kangaroo paw) • Astilbe japonica (false goat's beard, false spirea/Spiraea, fl orist's spirea/Spiraea) • Carthamus tinctorius (saffl ower) • Brassica oleraceae Acephala Group (ornamental kale) • Zea mays subsp. mays (maize, Indian corn, calico corn) • Diospyros kaki (Japanese persimmon, Oriental persimmon) • Setaria italica (foxtail millet) • Ficus benjamina 'Variegata' (weeping fi g) • Agonis fl exuosa 'Burgundy' (peppermint willow, Australian willow myrtle) HARD GOODS • Double-face Satin Ribbon (No. 9, Oyster) from Offray • OASIS ™ Bind Wire from Oasis Floral Products • OASIS ™ Florist Wire from Oasis Floral Products • OASIS ® Waterproof Tape or Floratape ® Stem Wrap from Oasis Floral Products • OASIS ® All-temperature Glue Sticks from Oasis Floral Products • Wood skewers is fall, however, consider off ering your customers a new way to enjoy the season's bounty with a fun, modern alternative to traditional fall designs. Using pinks, purples and beiges, with yellows added in for a bright contrast, an oversized hand- tied bouquet incorporating seasonal items such as colorful Indian corn and persimmons will make a delightful—and unexpected—presentation for multiple occasions throughout the season. W volume and texture to the bouquet. Lay out all of the stems on your design table by color and type; this will allow you to easily select the stems you wish to use as you design the bouquet. STEP 4 BEGIN THE DESIGN Begin designing by selecting a tall fl oral material to start with, and place it in your hand, with the top facing away from you. Select another tall item next, with the top facing you, and cross the stem in front of the fi rst stem. Continue adding the taller materials, placing each subsequent item behind the previous stem. Continue to crisscross stems from front to back, making sure the stems form a circular spiral. Holding the stems loosely, to allow the design to be organic. Continue with the same technique as you get to the smaller items. Once you have arranged most of the fl owers and foliages, add the vegetables and fruits in through the top, making sure to give them prime placement. STEP 5 ADD FINISHING TOUCHES Once you are happy with the design, wrap the stems with paper-covered wire (or a binding material of your choice) multiple times, to ensure they are secure. Next, cut the stems to the longest length possible, making sure most of the stems are the same length. Cut them straight across so the bouquet can stand on its own, if needed. Finally, wrap the binding point with double-face satin ribbon in a complementary color, covering the binding wire or tape, and tie a loose bow. OFFER YOUR CUSTOMERS FRESH, MODERN AND UNEXPECTED DESIGNS THIS AUTUMN SEASON. Watch instructional video with Jasmine Corzo Bath

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