Presenting

Step by Step Extra Features and Video Online FloristsReview.com R E A D O N L I N E 39 Step 1 Soak two bricks of FibreFloral ™ Design Media from Smithers-Oasis in properly proportioned flower nutrient solution, until fully saturated. Place the bricks into a shallow dish container, and secure them with waterproof tape. Add flower nutrient solution to the container so that the design media remains hydrated. Step 2 Arrange the tropical flowers in groupings, to give each type maximum attention. Arrange longer-stemmed flowers (Heliconia, Oncidium orchids and bamboo orchid foliage), to create height as well as vertical and curved lines, and arrange large, shorter- stemmed blooms (I chose two bromeliad blooms) lower in the design, to create a focal point. Arrange Anthurium blooms on the right side of the design, both high and low. Leave ample space between blooms so that each can be fully admired and enjoyed. Step 3 Arranges stems of dramatic textured and patterned tropical foliage, again, in groups, around the base of the design. Tropical foliage deserves to be showcased as much as the flowers in the design. I chose crocodile fern, laua'e fern and two species of Calathea leaves (now botanically reclassified—for a second time—as Goeppertia). Step 4 Weave or otherwise manipulate some of the foliage, to add a dramatic touch and showcase your artistry. I created two nautilus-shell-shaped structures with areca palm fronds: Place the stem of one palm frond at your belly or between your knees; gently curve it backward; and, starting with three leaves at the top of the palm frond, begin "weaving" it like a French braid. Add in additional leaves, one at a time, progressing down the stem. Secure the leaf formation with paper-covered wire. Arrange the braided palm fronds into the design, on the left side, to balance the Anthurium on the right side. Step 5 Arrange beehive gingers and uluhe fern curls, where needed, to finish the design. Place the arrangement atop a large Monstera leaf, to add to the lush display. MATERIALS BOTANICALS FROM HFNA •Heliconia bihai (macaw flower, firebird, wild plantain) •Heliconia psittacorum (parakeet flower, parrot's flower, parrot's beak, parrot's plantain) •Anthurium andraeanum (flamingo lily, tailflower) •Zingiber spectabile (beehive ginger) •Oncidium spp. (dancing-lady orchid, golden shower orchid) •Guzmania spp. (bromeliad) •Arundia graminifolia (bamboo orchid) •Dypsis lutescens/ Chrysalidocarpus lutescens (areca palm, butterfly palm) •Monstera deliciosa (Swiss-cheese plant, split-leaf philodendron) •Goeppertia roseopicta/ Calathea roseopicta (rose-painted prayer plant, rose-painted Calathea) •Goeppertia insignis/ Calathea lancifolia (rattlesnake prayer plant, rattlesnake Calathea) •Microsorum musifolium/ Polypodium musifolium 'Crocodyllus' (crocodile fern, alligator fern) •Microsorum grossum/ Phymatosorus grossus 'Laua'e' (laua'e fern, wart fern, musk fern) •Dicranopteris linearis (uluhe fern curl, fiddlehead fern, monkey tail fern) HARD GOODS FROM SMITHERS-OASIS •FibreFloral ™ Design Media from Smithers-Oasis •OASIS ™ Bind Wire •OASIS ® Waterproof Tape •Decorative dish (alternatively, 9" or 11" LOMEY ® Designer Dish)

• Cover