If you ever wander into a floral shop in London or Paris – you will note that their presentation of fresh cut flowers is often done as a hand tied. This technique can be used with almost any flowers (smaller to medium size flowers are best) to make an everyday bouquet you can put in a vase, give to a loved one or even a bouquet you walk down the aisle with to get married!

Below you will find step-by-step directions for making this bouquet. While practice will make perfect – we are confident that even on your first try you will end-up with a beautiful presentation to be proud of! Remember that all of the flowers you will ever need can be found at Adelaide’s. If you mention this blog we will even take off 10% of your fresh-cut flower purchases till the end of August. (Designer arrangements excluded)

So here we go – get out your clippers and let’s have some fun!

Items needed:

• 8 – 12 Stems of Fresh Cut flowers. Flower Stems with multi-blooms and unusual stems such as “Coffee Bean” or Thistle will add an unexpected dimension.
•  10 – 12 stems of fresh greens to create a collar and add additional texture to the arrangement. We used Lemon      Leaf for the below arrangement.
•  Clippers or a floral knife.
•  Bind wire or ribbon to “tie” the arrangement together at the end and possibly wrap the stems.

Gather your flowers. You can choose multi-color flowers like the photo below or go with one single color and/or flower – the choice is totally up to you and what you want  your end result to look like:

Place your index finger and thumb together similar to giving someone the “OK” symbol. This will form the spot you will begin inserting your flowers into:

Continue to add flowers in a circular pattern around the edge of the center flowers: (You will broaden the hole so you continue to have a firm grasp on all of the stems.)

 Add additional elements such as coffee bean or other textured flowers, pods, etc. if desired:

Finish your masterpiece by adding lemon leaf or other broad leaf greens around the base of the arrangement:





When you are happy with the look of your hand tied – you will tie it off with bind wire or ribbon. (Strongly suggest that you use the bind wire and cut a piece 6 – 8 inches in length in advance so you are not struggling with holding your arrangement and trying to cut wire!)



 

Finally, cut your stems with the inner stems being slightly shorter than the outer ones in order for the arrangement to standup in a shallow bowl with water if that is your desired effect. You can also cut the stems evenly and wrap with stain ribbon in a braid (or other tie) if you will be using it as a hand bouquet for a wedding. If you wish to place your flowers in a vase use your table and the top of the vase for measuring the best spot to cut your stems:    

Enjoy your new creation!

Did you know that sunflowers are symbolic of adoration? The Inca Indians worshipped the sunflower as a symbol of the sun. Their priestesses even wore necklaces of sunflowers made of gold. Spanish explorers were so enthralled with them that they took sunflowers back to Spain where they were cultivated and hybrids were created that eventually made their way to America. Sunflowers turn their heads to the sun, which is the origin of their common name but botanically – sunflowers belong to the genus helianthus, a reference to Helios, the sun god.

The head of the sunflower actually consists of 1,000-2,000 individual flowers and vary widely in size. Most reach maximum heights of three to ten feet; however, cultivated sunflowers can reach an incredible twenty feet in height! Sunflowers are one of the fastest growing plants in the world, increasing in height up to one foot a day. These lofty heights more than likely contributed to the sunflower being symbolic of haughtiness as well as adoration.

In the United States sunflowers bloom from July through September which is why Adelaide’s has designated these amazing flowers – August Flower of the month! We are carrying various varieties that are the perfect color and texture for your end of summer garden party – or clustered below your Van Gogh as we move into fall!  Stop in and buy them today - through the end of August - for only $5.00 a bunch!!!

Every year we have the honor of providing florals for the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Part of providing those florals is the daily care of the flowers to ensure they are always looking as fresh as the day they were delivered. Our arrangements range from three beautiful South American Roses nestled in a small stone vase for the dining tables in the private owners suites to display pieces that are six feet long and five feet high! How we take care of them; however, is exactly how you should if you received an arrangement delivered to your home or office. Here are the simple steps you can do daily to extend the life of your arrangement and make your friends and family still say “wow’ even after having them in your home for four or five days:
1. Make sure you place your flowers in a protective area of your home. Do not expose your arrangement to direct sunlight which may cause the flowers to wilt or fade.
2. Check your water every day! Your arrangement more than likely arrived in a glass vase filled with fresh water or in some form of pottery with the flowers arranged in a special green foam that holds water. In either case it is essential that you continue to add water to your arrangement. The glass vase is generally easy to see if water needs to be added and even esier to add water by simply pulling back the foliage or flowers and gently filling up the vase to just under the lip of the vase. To check arrangements in foam, wiggle your fingers under the bottom of the flowers and along the side of the container. If you “feel” water theyare more than likely well hydrated. If you do not, use a watering can or a small glass to add additional water until you can feel water along the edge of the container.  If you received a floral preservative make sure you add this to your water any time you change it in full.
3. Check your flowers daily to see if there are petals or blooms that have wilted. If you find any- gently pull them out of the arrangement or pull the wilted petal or leaf off of the flower itself.  This will continue to give the arrangement a “fresh” look.
4. If time and budget allows consider going to your florist a few days after receiving your arrangement and purchasing “replacement” blooms. Any reputable florist can assist you with picking out the right flowers and offering tips on how to cut them just prior to placing them into your arrangement. By taking this extra step you will not only extend the life of your arrangement as some blooms die-off sooner than others – but will give you the feeling of what it is like to be a real floral designer!

Here are some of there pictures.  You needed to see them with the art work to really see how beautiful they were.

La Jolla Village Bridal Fair

In Partnership with La Jolla Women’s Club

Tuesday, April 5, 2011   7:00 pm

Ticketed* offsite at La Jolla Women’s Club

Planning a wedding? Come to the La Jolla Village Bridal Fair to meet a select group of local vendors who specialize in all things bridal. Located at La Jolla Women’s Club, a historic wedding venue, you will meet with and receive expert advice from vendors Adelaide’s Florist and Decorators, The French Gourmet, Siegel Thurston Photography, AH Calligraphy, hair designer from Atelier Aucoin, and Custom Invitations by Warwick’s Stationers. Warwick’s will also be hosting television personalities and wedding pros, Barbara Wallace and Annie Withers who will be on hand to discuss and sign their book Beautiful Bride From Every Angle. This is a one of a kind chance for brides-to-be to meet with these spectacular local
businesses to design the wedding of their dreams.

*This is a ticketed offsite event. Purchase a copy of Beautiful Bride From Every Angle from Warwick’s and receive up to 4 complimentary admission tickets. If you wish to attend without purchasing the book, tickets are available for $10 each. Tickets may only be purchased from Warwick’s Please contact the
Warwick’s Book Dept. at (858) 454-0347 for tickets or information.

About the Book
Beautiful Bride From Every Angle offers
advice from three highly respected
wedding pros and includes essential
tips and inspiring imagery that will take
your wedding from great to sensational.
An award-winning wedding planner
offers suggestions for designing and
planning your wedding day, to make
this important day as calm as possible.
The fashion stylist and makeup artist
lets you in on tried-and-true beauty trade
secrets and helps you make informed
choices that enhance the real you. The
internationally renowned photographer
shares valuable tips and insider info
from both sides of the camera including
how to choose your photographer,
posing tips, and ways to capture the best
photos on your wedding day. Packed
with photographs and ideas from real
weddings this book is the ultimate guide
to creating a wedding that is a true
reflection of you, a beautiful bride from
every angle.
Featuring Authors
Barbara Wallace & Annie Withers
Beautiful Bride From Every Angle

(Zingiber Publishing)

If you have a group that would like a plant or floral presentation, please give us a call at 858-454-0146.

If you want to see more, here’s a link to view the video.  Click here.

Do you want to participate in the voting?   Please visit the site below and vote for Design 2 (Carlsbad) between now and January 21, 2011.  www.mayesh.com/voting.aspx. 

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Here are some of our employees ensuring the arrangements look gorgeous.

While we are up at the race track early every morning, the horses are out getting their exercise.  We couldn’t resist taking this photo….

Here’s a link to get all the information about the 2010 racing season at Del Mar: www.dmtc.com

Let us know which is your favorite arrangement.

The first had a theme of “Taste of the Orient”. Kristine received a 3rd place for her design. Here is a photo.

Kristine, designer at Adelaide's

For her next competition, the theme was “Java Jive”. Take a good look at the photo and check out the “coffee” coming from the coffee pot. The “coffee” is strings of hypericum berries (otherwise known as coffee berries). She is so talented. She won a 2nd place ribbon for her efforts.

Here is a photo of her second competition:

Kristine - Fair 2010

If you want to see some of her 1st prize arrangements, stop by Adelaide’s.

Remove the mother plant and pup from their container.

Gently pull the soil away, exposing the area where the mother plant and pup are joined.

The pup may or may not have its own root system. If necessary, pull additional soil away so you have a clear view of the base of both plants.

Most of the time, the pup can be pulled off the mother plant without the use of any tools. If it resists a firm but gentle tug, make the cut near the base of the mother plant.

Before planting the bromeliad pup, let it sit in the shade for at least a day. This allows the area that has been pulled or cut away from the mother plant to callous, preventing soil-borne diseases from entering through the soft tissue. Then you can plant the pup, using one of the recommended mixtures and gently pressing down on the soil around the base of the pup.

Care for the young plant just as you would a mature bromeliad.

Culture:
It’s best to use purified water, especially for soft-leaf types like Guzmanias. Do not use water from a softener.

Let the plants dry out between waterings. It is okay if the soil on the bottom of the pot still is a little damp, but the surface should be dry to the touch.

Water the plant by pouring directly into the “cup” or “tank” formed by the center leaves. The tank is an evolutionary adaptation that acts as a reservoir, providing an emergency supply of water and nutrients. Continue pouring after the tank begins to overflow, allowing the excess to spill out and moisten the soil below.

Direct light on a sunny day is far too intense for most bromeliads, including Aechmeas and Guzmanias, the two most popular types. Direct sunshine can exceed 10,000 foot-candles; the ideal light level for bromeliads is generally around 1,800 foot-candles. If you don’t have access to a light meter, simply look for an area that is somewhat shaded and protected from long periods of hot, direct sunlight.

Scientific studies suggest bromeliads can help improve indoor air-quality as you sleep. In the photosynthetic process, most common indoor plants remove carbon dioxide while emitting oxygen and water vapors during the day. But research indicates that bromeliads behave differently during the day / night cycle, releasing oxygen and removing air pollutants at night. Data collected by the Plants for Clean Air Council suggest that when combined with foliage plants, bromeliads can help provide around-the-clock indoor air purification.

Re-Blooming:
Bromeliad blooms are a wonder of variety and longevity. They come in an astounding array of colors and shapes. Some remain tucked inside the rosette of leaves, while others grow into plumes reaching two or more feet in length.

Numerous factors contribute to bromeliad blooms: time, light and water are just a few. One of the most important variables is temperature, with a minimum requirement of 50 degrees

Many of the more popular types of bromeliads, including Guzmanias, Tillandsias and Vrieseas, bloom naturally during the spring, summer and fall months. Guzmanias require purified water and more humidity than other types.

It is possible to prematurely force a bloom by exposing a bromeliad to ethylene gas, a natural byproduct of decomposing organic matter. For the home enthusiast, take a slice of an apple and place it at the bottom of the plant or tuck it into one of its leaves. Commercial products such as Florel, often used to ripen tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables, have successfully been used to produce bromeliad flowers.

Propagation:

To be continued…..

You can see what a difference lighting can make.

When designing this style of wedding, flowers are very important.  They are the focal point, even with personal flowers.  Here’s the bride’s bouquet as well as the flower girl’s.

Thank you to the bride and groom for allowing us to view such an elegant affair.  Thanks to Patti, our wedding coordinator who took the couple’s idea and created this very elegant look.  Thanks to Paul Barnett who took these great photos and allowed us to use them.