For the stews responsible for flower arranging on board, a well thought-out flower toolbox is essential. These are the tools no florist should be without — ones that will help you create beautiful arrangements.
Secateurs are used to cut your flowers. These are obviously essential, so make sure to invest in a durable pair. One good brand is ARS, which is usually available on Amazon.
Clear floral tape is super useful for creating a grid on the lip of your vase to support your stems. It is sturdy but make sure your vase is dry as it won’t stick to anything even slightly wet. You can also create napkin arrangements with it.
Chicken wire is used to create a “pillow,” which is placed into the vase and acts as a support structure. It can also be used to create hanging installations. It is a great substitute for Oasis foam bricks, which are not very environmentally friendly (although you can get FibreFloral bricks which are natural-based).
The floral frog (a Kenzan or Japanese Ikebana pin holder) is a specific device used for fixing the flowers in the vase, consisting of a heavy lead plate with erected brass needles. These are a game changer when it comes to flower arranging. Floral putty is used to secure your floral frog to the base of the vase.
Rose strippers get those unwanted thorns and leaves off the stem without much hassle or pricking your fingers.
Soft felt, adhesive, protective pads are super important. You stick them onto the bottom of vases to protect the surfaces from scratches and marks.
A selection of plastic buckets in different sizes will keep flowers hydrated before arranging.
Nice-to-haves
A lazy Susan is pretty helpful. Pop your vase on to a lazy Susan so you can easily monitor your creation from all sides. If you don’t have one, remember to continuously turn your arrangement so that all sides make a statement.
Non-slip galley drawer liners or silicone mats can double as vase stabilizers, which are particularly useful when you’re under way.
Fishing line works as an invisible support structure for hanging installations, so keep a reel or two in your toolbox.
Collapsible buckets are ideal for keeping flowers hydrated in compact crew spaces.
Top tips
- Add flower food to the water before you soak your Oasis.
- If your hydrangeas are looking sad, cut nearly an inch off the bottom of the stem, remove all or most of the leaves and, using a spray bottle, spritz the hydrangea heads with cold water. Then place the flower stems in a cup of boiling water and leave until water is completely cool. Repeat the boiling water, and your hydrangeas should be looking fresh.
- Dipping freshly cut hydrangea stems into alum powder helps them absorb water more effectively and stay hydrated longer. This is because the alum dissolves the sap that can block water uptake. Order when provisioning as alum is usually found in the spice aisle — it’s used for pickling and canning.
- If your roses arrive closed and with tight buds, and you’re desperate for them to open before guests arrive, pop them into warm water. This should do the trick.
- Orchids are a yacht florist’s worst nightmare. But if you follow some guidelines, you’ll have orchids blossoming a full season. Bright, indirect light is best, but make sure they are out of direct sunlight (which can burn the leaves). Water every seven to 10 days, but absolutely NO ice blocks. Water until fully drenched and then let the excess water drain completely, and never leave it standing in water in the pot. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth once a week to prevent salt build-up.
Florist and former stew Kate Argo is the founder of Bloomfield Bespoke, which focuses on flower-arranging courses for stews in South Africa, on board on Zoom. bloomfieldbespoke.com