Wiring Phalaenopsis Orchids Thread

	Posts
Wiring Phalaenopsis Orchids (Forums : Wiring Techniques : Wiring Phalaenopsis Orchids)	Locked
Thread Options
David	Jul 27 2008, 7:20am Anchor
Can someone please explain how to correctly wire Phalaenopsis orchids. I am using them in a wedding and have not used them before and am a little nervous about using them.
Greg	Jul 28 2008, 9:51pm Anchor
Dear David The first thing is to condition the flowers. I would suggest the day before making them up to cut the flowers you are going to use from the main stem. When you cut them the flower stem should be around 4-5 cms. Put the stems into shallow water in a dish. If you have any cotton wool put these around the flowers so that the petals do not sit in the water. Your flowers should be firm to touch (do so gently) and if you can see the veins in the flower they are not fresh! Take a .56 guage wire (24) and cover it with white parafilm, ( I assume your phalaenopsis is the white variety) You will see that there are two holes in the centre of the bloom. Put you wire into a hair pin and place each end through the holes and pull the wire through until it is lodged against the centre of the flower. If you need more support place a .71 (22) wire against the base and tape the stem and the wires together with parafilm (green). Make sure your taping is stretched tightly so that the bloom can't swivel. Don't be nervous about them. They are quite hardy and they are very fashionable in bridal work again. Good luck and tell us how you go! Greg
Chillaxe	Aug 2 2008, 10:39pm Anchor
Very Interesting. I was very nervous the first time too. But I found them to be hardy, following a process like Gregs and you wil be fine! Chilla
AROMASCENTS	Sep 20 2008, 4:20pm Anchor
GREAT TO SEE ORCHID'S ARE BACK IN FASHION. THEY WHERE SO BIG IN THE 80'S, THESE WHERE A VERY COMMON FLOWER TO USE FOR WEDDINGS, OM:)G THE WIRING KIND OF MISS IT ALL THO. THEY ARE SUCH A STUNNING FLOWER IN MANY FORMS, MY FAVOURITE. -- MY APAK ENTRY...XMAS THEME
floweringtrees0603	Oct 3 2008, 8:06pm Anchor
Hey!!! Why is everyone so nervous and in depth about such a simple flower? If your taping and wiring is correct you don't need to bother about the 'TRADITIONAL" methods! I learn't Floristry pre-oasis, so I was taught the hairpin method as the ONLY way to wire an orchid. Got to tell you how wrong the hairpin method is! All that you need to do is stick the 24g wire straight up from under the flower, close to the stem, & take care not to push through too hard (don't want to see the wire piercing the top of the flower). If your taping is as good as it should be, that flower is not going to move from that wire! This method of wiring means that there is no bulk on the stem, & no ugly piercing on the face of the bloom. Same theory goes for singapore orchids & cymbidiums & many of the other flowers which Traditionalists tell us are SO DIFFICULT!! Nothing is difficult if you learn to work with it. Play with your flowers, understand their beauty, but NEVER be afraid of them!!!
katherine	Oct 5 2008, 9:19pm Anchor
Very interesting, thanks I just found this blog.
nic	Oct 14 2008, 10:01am Anchor
The reason why you would use the hairpin method to wire phalenopsis orchids or singapore orchids is so that you can manipulate the way the orchid faces without breaking the head off the stem. With the method of hairpinning of phalenopsis orchids you do not actually pierce the flower you insert a white parafilmed 24 gauge wire over the top of the throat. (there are two holes in the flower structure to insert through) If you don't hairpin wire the phalenopsis and singapore orchids you will find if they are not facing the right way and you try to move them. A 24 gauge wire would not be strong enough to support a phalenopis orchid.You would need to use a 22-20 gauge wire. With the singapore orchid the hair pin method also allows you to face them in two different directions. With cymbidium and cattlyeas orchid you should always use the pierce and mount method as the orchids will bleed if you use a hairpin method. Nic
floweringtrees0603	Oct 14 2008, 7:27pm Anchor
Hi Nic, appreciate your comments on the phaleanopsis wiring thing. I do beg to differ though. As I said in my last response, I learnt my floristry in times of extreme traditionalism - I learnt the method of wiring orchids in exactly the way that you are saying MUST be done!!!! I have to say that you need to understand flowers better than the "traditional" methods!!! I have never broken an orchid stem, & I have never had a problem with "facing" an orchid in any direction at all - so long as the support wire is placed in the right position within the bouquet in the first place! Your advise of using a 22-20g wire for wiring phaleanopsis is definitely wrong. I am sorry, but if you try to stick a 22g - 20g into an orchid of any sort you are going to create major bruises - even if you use the "traditional" method. Maybe I didn't completely & clearly explain my method... - Stick the 24g wire up through the flower as explained in my last "quote". - Tape this wire firmly to the stem of the orchid, taking care to not bruise the underside of the flower. - Support wiring will be neccessary from part way up the stem - you will probably only need a 22g. I think, normally, that a 20g is a bit of overkill, but judge for yourself about the weight of the flower you have. - Hopefully, the apprentices of today are learning the principle of wiring correctly - use the finest wire you need to control the flower you have! If you need more support for the flower, you can add a further support wire after that initial wiring & taping.
kelomi	Oct 16 2008, 6:22am Anchor
floweringtrees0603 wrote:Hi Nic, appreciate your comments on the phaleanopsis wiring thing. I do beg to differ though. As I said in my last response, I learnt my floristry in times of extreme traditionalism - I learnt the method of wiring orchids in exactly the way that you are saying MUST be done!!!! I have to say that you need to understand flowers better than the "traditional" methods!!! I have never broken an orchid stem, & I have never had a problem with "facing" an orchid in any direction at all - so long as the support wire is placed in the right position within the bouquet in the first place! Your advise of using a 22-20g wire for wiring phaleanopsis is definitely wrong. I am sorry, but if you try to stick a 22g - 20g into an orchid of any sort you are going to create major bruises - even if you use the "traditional" method. Maybe I didn't completely & clearly explain my method... - Stick the 24g wire up through the flower as explained in my last "quote". - Tape this wire firmly to the stem of the orchid, taking care to not bruise the underside of the flower. - Support wiring will be neccessary from part way up the stem - you will probably only need a 22g. I think, normally, that a 20g is a bit of overkill, but judge for yourself about the weight of the flower you have. - Hopefully, the apprentices of today are learning the principle of wiring correctly - use the finest wire you need to control the flower you have! If you need more support for the flower, you can add a further support wire after that initial wiring & taping. Hi floweringtree, while I appreciate your point of view on the phalaenopsis wiring, I completely disagree with some of your statements. I use wiring through the throat of my orchids and while I have experimented with different techniques, My mother(30+ years in floristry) and myself both have no problems with bruising and usually use around 20-22g wire, again this would depend on the support required. The other problem that also needs to be considered when wiring for a wedding bouquet, is the potential knocks the flower head will receive during the course of the day, throat wiring provides extra support and protection from having the head snapping off. As for todays apprentices learning the correct principles of wiring, if the standards of the last few years competitions and demonstrations of up and coming florists are anything to go by I think Australian florisrty can be proud of everyone.
floweringtrees0603	Oct 17 2008, 7:02pm Anchor
Hi Kelomi, Thanks, I do appreciate your correction of my spelling - how could I have done that wrong? I am a spelling freak!!! - Maybe I'll blame it on my lack of computer skills!! I have to tell you that I have been a Florist for (gulp) closer to 35 years than I care to admit!! Most of my career has been specialising in Corporate & Wedding Floristry. I learnt Floristry way prior to "apprenticeships", but I applauded the instigation - I went and sat my "apprenticeship papers" back in the 90's,when I really didn't need any "certificate" (because 20 years experience with some of Victoria's best Florists said it all) at Box Hill TAFE. That is how much I appreciate the fact that Floristry WAS finally recognised as a TRADE, and I will always agree that the apprenticeship scheme is the best thing to ever have happened in our trade! It has to be good & YES, young Florists ARE doing fairly well with their competition work. All I am trying to say, really, is that everyone should question methods of technique- do they really stand up to your expectations? Okay, if you are happy to stay with the method taught - go for it! But, if you want to go further than the "TRUTH" (as taught), just experiment, and do it well!!
kelomi	Oct 19 2008, 5:22pm Anchor
Hello again Floweringtree, I can relate to your floristry "Education", my mother also learnt floristry prior to apprenticeships and took it upon her self to further her skills through courses and I remember helping to wire field carnations to peg into polystyrene wreath bases when I was younger. As I mentioned above I have tried many different ways and I am always experimenting with new and exciting ways of doing things, but sometimes The traditional skills work best, especially if someone maybe new to working with a particularly delicate flower that can be expensive to experiment on. And while I do agree, as I am always encouraging our apprentices, to use your imagination and experiment, in this case it may not be that applicable. Sometimes the traditional way is the best way and the reason it's still used is because it serves it's purpose well. After all as the saying goes........."the TRUTH* shall set you free".*
floweringtrees0603	Oct 20 2008, 7:05pm Anchor
Hey Kelomi, Oh my gawd! You have just reminded me of the wiring & pegging into styrofoam!!! What a forgettable experience that is!!!! When you look at the comparative ease of today's Floristry, with oasis & all the modcons we need to make our lives easier! Maybe your Mum would remember making casket sheaves (& normal funeral sheaves, for that matter) with bundled flower stems instead of oasis? Everything had to be wired & pegged & positioned in EXACTLY the right order! I wouldn't want to present today's apprentices with the task of preparing a casket sheaf without the aid of some sort of "oasis" product. That wouldn't really be fair. Florists of my age (and your Mother's age) were prepared to let go of "Traditional" methods, which had been in use for generations!!, with the introduction of flower foam. There is absolulely NO REASON for Florists of the future to be bogged down with the methods used by generations of Florists before the time of either me or your Mother! It is possibly beneficial to learn "traditional" methods. But I would never suggest that even the methods I use are THE ONLY WAY. I use a combination of Trad & Me methods. If someone can learn & further my "way" to suit their "way" & do it WELL - then I applaud them. That is what ART is about - LEARN, UNDERSTAND, INTERPRET, EXCELL!! And, yes, I agree - "the truth (lower case) SHALL (upper case & underlined) set you free!!!!"
Jess	Oct 22 2008, 8:22am Anchor
To dear Floweringtrees, you seem to have a wonderful knowledge of all things floristry, in particular orchids. As you mention you have been around a while and learnt from some of victorias top florists, so i was interested if you could inform me on any other handy hints or tips, to help with my floristry apprenticeship studies? Edited by: Jess
Larisa	Oct 22 2008, 8:34am Anchor
Hi Floweringtrees, I have following this thred with great intrest and you mentioned you learnt from some of victorias top florists, who were they? What was the best thing you learnt from them and would you still teach those methods to the younger generation? regards, Larisa:D
floweringtrees0603	Oct 22 2008, 6:24pm Anchor
Hello Jess and Larisa, I will answer to Larisa first. I learnt my floristry from the same person who taught Kevin O'Neill, who later offered me a job which I declined.There were many great things to learn. I think, though, that the best thing I was taught is that you never stop learning - the moment that you stop being inspired by new directions or methods is when you should either retire or go get a job at Macdonalds. (whoops - sorry Maccas wasn't an option in those days) - but you get the gist! I was taught very traditional methods, and I would show those same methods to an apprentice. But I would offer the apprentice the method I use as a better alternative. I would also encourage that apprentice to question why and experiment on her/his own to suggest a way which suits them better. I would be asking why that is maybe a better method, I would look at why it may not be a better method, and together we would work through a compromise. I am not, for a moment, trying to say that "traditional" is wrong. BUT I AM TRYING TO SAY THAT TRADITIONAL SHOULD BE QUESTIONED!!!!!: Hello Jess, You are not specific about what you would like help with.

Thread Options

David

Jul 27 2008, 7:20am Anchor

Can someone please explain how to correctly wire Phalaenopsis orchids. I am using them in a wedding and have not used them before and am a little nervous about using them.

Greg

Jul 28 2008, 9:51pm Anchor

Dear David

The first thing is to condition the flowers. I would suggest the day before making them up to cut the flowers you are going to use from the main stem. When you cut them the flower stem should be around 4-5 cms. Put the stems into shallow water in a dish. If you have any cotton wool put these around the flowers so that the petals do not sit in the water. Your flowers should be firm to touch (do so gently) and if you can see the veins in the flower they are not fresh!

Take a .56 guage wire (24) and cover it with white parafilm, ( I assume your phalaenopsis is the white variety) You will see that there are two holes in the centre of the bloom. Put you wire into a hair pin and place each end through the holes and pull the wire through until it is lodged against the centre of the flower. If you need more support place a .71 (22) wire against the base and tape the stem and the wires together with parafilm (green). Make sure your taping is stretched tightly so that the bloom can't swivel. Don't be nervous about them. They are quite hardy and they are very fashionable in bridal work again.

Good luck and tell us how you go!

Greg :thumbup:

Chillaxe

Aug 2 2008, 10:39pm Anchor

Very Interesting. I was very nervous the first time too. But I found them to be hardy, following a process like Gregs and you wil be fine!

:thumbup:
Chilla

AROMASCENTS

Sep 20 2008, 4:20pm Anchor

GREAT TO SEE ORCHID'S ARE BACK IN FASHION. THEY WHERE SO BIG IN THE 80'S, THESE WHERE A VERY COMMON FLOWER TO USE FOR WEDDINGS, OM:)G THE WIRING KIND OF MISS IT ALL THO.
THEY ARE SUCH A STUNNING FLOWER IN MANY FORMS, MY FAVOURITE.

--

MY APAK ENTRY...XMAS THEME

floweringtrees0603

Oct 3 2008, 8:06pm Anchor

Hey!!! Why is everyone so nervous and in depth about such a simple flower? If your taping and wiring is correct you don't need to bother about the 'TRADITIONAL" methods! I learn't Floristry pre-oasis, so I was taught the hairpin method as the ONLY way to wire an orchid. Got to tell you how wrong the hairpin method is! All that you need to do is stick the 24g wire straight up from under the flower, close to the stem, & take care not to push through too hard (don't want to see the wire piercing the top of the flower). If your taping is as good as it should be, that flower is not going to move from that wire! This method of wiring means that there is no bulk on the stem, & no ugly piercing on the face of the bloom. Same theory goes for singapore orchids & cymbidiums & many of the other flowers which Traditionalists tell us are SO DIFFICULT!! Nothing is difficult if you learn to work with it. Play with your flowers, understand their beauty, but NEVER be afraid of them!!!

katherine

Oct 5 2008, 9:19pm Anchor

Very interesting, thanks I just found this blog. :thumbup:

nic

Oct 14 2008, 10:01am Anchor

The reason why you would use the hairpin method to wire phalenopsis orchids or singapore orchids is so that you can manipulate the way the orchid faces without breaking the head off the stem. With the method of hairpinning of phalenopsis orchids you do not actually pierce the flower you insert a white parafilmed 24 gauge wire over the top of the throat. (there are two holes in the flower structure to insert through) If you don't hairpin wire the phalenopsis and singapore orchids you will find if they are not facing the right way and you try to move them. A 24 gauge wire would not be strong enough to support a phalenopis orchid.You would need to use a 22-20 gauge wire. With the singapore orchid the hair pin method also allows you to face them in two different directions.

With cymbidium and cattlyeas orchid you should always use the pierce and mount method as the orchids will bleed if you use a hairpin method.

Nic

floweringtrees0603

Oct 14 2008, 7:27pm Anchor

Hi Nic, appreciate your comments on the phaleanopsis wiring thing. I do beg to differ though. As I said in my last response, I learnt my floristry in times of extreme traditionalism - I learnt the method of wiring orchids in exactly the way that you are saying MUST be done!!!! I have to say that you need to understand flowers better than the "traditional" methods!!! I have never broken an orchid stem, & I have never had a problem with "facing" an orchid in any direction at all - so long as the support wire is placed in the right position within the bouquet in the first place! Your advise of using a 22-20g wire for wiring phaleanopsis is definitely wrong. I am sorry, but if you try to stick a 22g - 20g into an orchid of any sort you are going to create major bruises - even if you use the "traditional" method. Maybe I didn't completely & clearly explain my method...
- Stick the 24g wire up through the flower as explained in my last "quote".
- Tape this wire firmly to the stem of the orchid, taking care to not bruise the underside of the flower.
- Support wiring will be neccessary from part way up the stem - you will probably only need a 22g. I think, normally, that a 20g is a bit of overkill, but judge for yourself about the weight of the flower you have.
- Hopefully, the apprentices of today are learning the principle of wiring correctly - use the finest wire you need to control the flower you have! If you need more support for the flower, you can add a further support wire after that initial wiring & taping.

kelomi

Oct 16 2008, 6:22am Anchor

floweringtrees0603 wrote:Hi Nic, appreciate your comments on the phaleanopsis wiring thing. I do beg to differ though. As I said in my last response, I learnt my floristry in times of extreme traditionalism - I learnt the method of wiring orchids in exactly the way that you are saying MUST be done!!!! I have to say that you need to understand flowers better than the "traditional" methods!!! I have never broken an orchid stem, & I have never had a problem with "facing" an orchid in any direction at all - so long as the support wire is placed in the right position within the bouquet in the first place! Your advise of using a 22-20g wire for wiring phaleanopsis is definitely wrong. I am sorry, but if you try to stick a 22g - 20g into an orchid of any sort you are going to create major bruises - even if you use the "traditional" method. Maybe I didn't completely & clearly explain my method...
- Stick the 24g wire up through the flower as explained in my last "quote".
- Tape this wire firmly to the stem of the orchid, taking care to not bruise the underside of the flower.
- Support wiring will be neccessary from part way up the stem - you will probably only need a 22g. I think, normally, that a 20g is a bit of overkill, but judge for yourself about the weight of the flower you have.
- Hopefully, the apprentices of today are learning the principle of wiring correctly - use the finest wire you need to control the flower you have! If you need more support for the flower, you can add a further support wire after that initial wiring & taping.

Hi floweringtree,
while I appreciate your point of view on the phalaenopsis wiring, I completely disagree with some of your statements. I use wiring through the throat of my orchids and while I have experimented with different techniques, My mother(30+ years in floristry) and myself both have no problems with bruising and usually use around 20-22g wire, again this would depend on the support required. The other problem that also needs to be considered when wiring for a wedding bouquet, is the potential knocks the flower head will receive during the course of the day, throat wiring provides extra support and protection from having the head snapping off. As for todays apprentices learning the correct principles of wiring, if the standards of the last few years competitions and demonstrations of up and coming florists are anything to go by I think Australian florisrty can be proud of everyone.

floweringtrees0603

Oct 17 2008, 7:02pm Anchor

Hi Kelomi,
Thanks, I do appreciate your correction of my spelling - how could I have done that wrong? I am a spelling freak!!! - Maybe I'll blame it on my lack of computer skills!!
I have to tell you that I have been a Florist for (gulp) closer to 35 years than I care to admit!! Most of my career has been specialising in Corporate & Wedding Floristry.
I learnt Floristry way prior to "apprenticeships", but I applauded the instigation - I went and sat my "apprenticeship papers" back in the 90's,when I really didn't need any "certificate" (because 20 years experience with some of Victoria's best Florists said it all) at Box Hill TAFE. That is how much I appreciate the fact that Floristry WAS finally recognised as a TRADE, and I will always agree that the apprenticeship scheme is the best thing to ever have happened in our trade! It has to be good & YES, young Florists ARE doing fairly well with their competition work.
All I am trying to say, really, is that everyone should question methods of technique- do they really stand up to your expectations? Okay, if you are happy to stay with the method taught - go for it! But, if you want to go further than the "TRUTH" (as taught), just experiment, and do it well!!

kelomi

Oct 19 2008, 5:22pm Anchor

Hello again Floweringtree,
I can relate to your floristry "Education", my mother also learnt floristry prior to apprenticeships and took it upon her self to further her skills through courses and I remember helping to wire field carnations to peg into polystyrene wreath bases when I was younger. As I mentioned above I have tried many different ways and I am always experimenting with new and exciting ways of doing things, but sometimes The traditional skills work best, especially if someone maybe new to working with a particularly delicate flower that can be expensive to experiment on. And while I do agree, as I am always encouraging our apprentices, to use your imagination and experiment, in this case it may not be that applicable. Sometimes the traditional way is the best way and the reason it's still used is because it serves it's purpose well. After all as the saying goes........."the TRUTH shall set you free".

floweringtrees0603

Oct 20 2008, 7:05pm Anchor

Hey Kelomi,
Oh my gawd! You have just reminded me of the wiring & pegging into styrofoam!!! What a forgettable experience that is!!!! When you look at the comparative ease of today's Floristry, with oasis & all the modcons we need to make our lives easier!
Maybe your Mum would remember making casket sheaves (& normal funeral sheaves, for that matter) with bundled flower stems instead of oasis? Everything had to be wired & pegged & positioned in EXACTLY the right order!
I wouldn't want to present today's apprentices with the task of preparing a casket sheaf without the aid of some sort of "oasis" product. That wouldn't really be fair.
Florists of my age (and your Mother's age) were prepared to let go of "Traditional" methods, which had been in use for generations!!, with the introduction of flower foam. There is absolulely NO REASON for Florists of the future to be bogged down with the methods used by generations of Florists before the time of either me or your Mother!
It is possibly beneficial to learn "traditional" methods. But I would never suggest that even the methods I use are THE ONLY WAY. I use a combination of Trad & Me methods. If someone can learn & further my "way" to suit their "way" & do it WELL - then I applaud them. That is what ART is about - LEARN, UNDERSTAND, INTERPRET, EXCELL!!
And, yes, I agree - "the truth (lower case) SHALL (upper case & underlined) set you free!!!!"

Jess

Oct 22 2008, 8:22am Anchor

To dear Floweringtrees, you seem to have a wonderful knowledge of all things floristry, in particular orchids. As you mention you have been around a while and learnt from some of victorias top florists, so i was interested if you could inform me on any other handy hints or tips, to help with my floristry apprenticeship studies?

Edited by: Jess

Larisa

Oct 22 2008, 8:34am Anchor

Hi Floweringtrees,

I have following this thred with great intrest and you mentioned you learnt from some of victorias top florists, who were they? What was the best thing you learnt from them and would you still teach those methods to the younger generation?

regards,

Larisa:D

floweringtrees0603

Oct 22 2008, 6:24pm Anchor

Hello Jess and Larisa,

I will answer to Larisa first. I learnt my floristry from the same person who taught Kevin O'Neill, who later offered me a job which I declined.There were many great things to learn. I think, though, that the best thing I was taught is that you never stop learning - the moment that you stop being inspired by new directions or methods is when you should either retire or go get a job at Macdonalds. (whoops - sorry Maccas wasn't an option in those days) - but you get the gist!
I was taught very traditional methods, and I would show those same methods to an apprentice. But I would offer the apprentice the method I use as a better alternative. I would also encourage that apprentice to question why and experiment on her/his own to suggest a way which suits them better. I would be asking why that is maybe a better method, I would look at why it may not be a better method, and together we would work through a compromise.
I am not, for a moment, trying to say that "traditional" is wrong. BUT I AM TRYING TO SAY THAT TRADITIONAL SHOULD BE QUESTIONED!!!!!:

Hello Jess,
You are not specific about what you would like help with.