FLOWER ARRANGEMENTFlower – is the thrill of the weary heart of the sick.

Qualities of a Successful Flower Arrangement: Shape Proportion Balance Depth Variety General Harmony

Divisions of Flower Arrangement1. Line – traditional form of the orient

- characterized by a clearly defined line seeking to represent the

graceful irregularity of nature through simplicity and great economy in the use of plant material.

e.g. Shoka / Ikebana – elongated vases

3 Elements of Line:1. Heaven – Shin – Ten ---- 2 ½ inch of the vase2. Man - Soe - Jin ---- 2/3 of your heaven3. Earth - Tai - Chi ---- 2/3 of your man

Nageire / Marinaba – flat vases

2. Mass – need not to be massive - should be light and airy - maybe made of one type of flower or of 2 or 3 of an infinite variety.

3. Line Mass – combination of the first two.

Different Stems:1. Stems with Nodes – cut between the

nodes for more absorption of water.2. Bulb Stems – cut the green part.3. Hollow Stems – recut the stems (slant)

- turn the flower upside down and fill the stem with water, close it and return to vase.

4. Milky Stems – lit the end of the stems to stop the ooze of milky water, immerse in cold water for a minute and recut the stem to desired length.

Latex – milky fluid. Transpiration – process of losing water vapor as the flower breathes.5. Woody Stems – immersed in boiling water for a minute, immersed it in cold and cut vertically about an inch.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF CUTTING THE STEMS:1. Recut the bottom of the stem at an

angle.2. Vertically split at the bottom about 1

inch of woody stemmed plants.3. Scrape the stem ends.

PRINCIPLES OF FLOWER ARRANGEMENT:1. Dark and vivid flowers weigh more

than light one and that large forms weigh more than that of small ones.

2. Avoid mixing very formal flowers with very informal ones.

3. Make sure that the shape, proportion, balance, depth, interest of colors, textures, harmony are present.

CARING FOR DISPLAYS:1. Check water levels and top up as

needed.2. Change water at least/after 3-4 days

or once a week for water containing out flower food.

3. Keep display away from direct heat.4. Every few days, recut stems of long-

lived flowers.

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