Flower arranging mistakes you should avoid

If you have ever tried your hand at flower arranging, you may already know that it’s not always as easy as it seems. Not to mention the fact that there are plenty of common mistakes that you should avoid. Here are some of the most common mistakes that can trip anyone up.

Overdoing it on the colour

Yes, you want your bouquet to be beautiful but you don’t want to overdo it in terms of your colour choices. It’s a lot like cooking. If you add too many ingredients, you will create a dish that confuses the taste buds. Keep it simple and you will be very happy with your design. When combining colours, use a colour wheel to create contrasting or complimenting combinations.

Wrong stem length

Flower arranging is not just about the blooms. It’s about the vase you choose too. You need to select a vase based on the length of the stems. For example, taller stems need the support of taller vases. Shorter flowers require shorter vases. If you place a flower in a vase that is too tall, the bloom may only just rest on the rim of the vase and it will look awful.

Avoiding green

Green is the backdrop for a beautiful bouquet and an essential element when it comes to flower arranging. Even if you only use one colour in your bouquet, by adding green, it will help your blooms really stand out. You can add green in the form of foliage or even green flowers.

Water temperature

Make sure that you research the blooms you want to use before you begin flower arranging. Most flowers enjoy warmish water (not hot) but there are some blooms that prefer cold water. Under no circumstances should you place your flowers in hot water.

Toxic blooms

There are a few flowers, like daffodils, that release a latex-like toxin from the base of their stems. This substance mixes with the vase water and is absorbed by the other flowers and will cause them to perish prematurely. To prevent this from happening, you should either avoid using daffodils or you need to condition them. To condition them, place the freshly cut stems in a bucket of clean water overnight. The next day you can add them to your bouquet.

Remember to always use a clean vase and clean cutting tools. Cut stems at an angle and offer top-heavy blooms extra support by using floral wire and tape. Keep your bouquet away from fresh fruit (especially bananas) since they emit a gas that causes blooms to perish. When flower arranging, the most important thing is to have fun!