A Guide to Preserved and Dried Flowers

All About Preserved and Dried Flowers

Fresh cut flowers are beautiful and they tend to smell amazing. However, it may not be a practical choice as they last about a week or so on average. This prompts many to ask what are the alternatives to fresh flowers?

Preserved and dried flowers are a great substitute for fresh flowers! Not only do they last longer and are cost-efficient but they do retain the beauty of the blossom in a rustic and trendy manner. If you want to know all about preserved and dried flowers, then do read on to find out more. 

What are Preserved Flowers?

Preserved flowers are real flowers that have undergone a special preservation process to maintain their appearance, texture, and colour for an extended period. This process typically involves

1. Cutting the fresh flowers at the peak of their bloom

2. Going through a precise high-tech rehydration process to maintain their original shape. The preservation solution (often a mix of glycerin, other stabilisers and water) replaces the natural fluids in the flowers and plant material, allowing them to retain the suppleness.

3. Colours are then reintroduced hence they have vibrant shades that can last for several months or even years.

Preserved flowers are popular for their longevity and minimal maintenance compared to fresh flowers. They’re often used in decorative arrangements, jewelry, and crafts, making them a versatile option for both personal and professional projects.

What are Dried Flowers?

Dried flowers are flowers that have been dehydrated by different methods like air-drying, silica drying, freeze-drying, microwaving, pressing etc.

The best-known method to dry flowers is by

1. Air Drying - hanging them upside down out of the sun with good air circulation until they dehydrate. Watch the video on how to air dry flowers here: https://www.botanystudio.com/blog/air-drying-flowers

2. Silica drying - submerge flowers in silica gel crystals, which absorb moisture. This method preserves the flower shapes and colours well but can be more time-consuming and requires specific materials.

3. Pressing - place the flowers between sheets of parchment or wax paper, use a heavy book or a flower press to apply even pressure. Great for flowers that can be flattened.

When the flowers are completely dried, they can be given additional colouring and setting treatments to restore some of their previous appearances, but this is not necessarily required. Many flowers may be dried organically, and while they will lose a lot of their original colour, you will still have a lovely product with a rustic feel. 

How long do preserved and dried flowers last?

Preserved flowers with the correct care can last more than 1 year, even up to 3 years. Dried flowers can last up 1-2 years. However, over time, they may become more fragile and lose their vibrant colors.

How to care for and store preserved/dried flowers?

1. Avoid storing your flowers under direct sunlight (UV light will cause colours to fade)

2. Keep them dry (when wet, preserved flowers will start to grow mold)

3. Additional Florist tip: Use Hairspray over flowers to keep them from falling

Preserved or dried flowers are a terrific way to create a variety of unique floral arrangements. Because of their durability, they have a high economic value. Aside from the apparent benefit of not having to water your flowers, they have the added benefit of being available all year round making them easy to utilise any time of the year. If you are interested in creating your own preserved flower arrangements, join our Preserved Floral Jar Workshops which are available all year round.

Easy Floral Foam Alternatives

If you are a flower enthusiast or flower lover, chances are you have come across Floral Foam, which is a sponge like material that soaks up water and acts as a support for flowers. However, being made up of Phenolic Resin, floral foam is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. In recent years, florists and consumers alike have been looking to switch to more eco-friendly alternatives.

What are some simple tools that can be used replace flower foam?

1. Chicken wire

Chicken wire or wire mesh is commonly used as an alternative. By creating a base structure with a few layers of mesh, flower stems can be inserted through the grid like frame and held in place. The effect of using chicken wire is a more natural and organic flowy arrangement as stems tend to naturally move as more flowers are added to the arrangement.

Pros: Wire mesh can be used multiple times. Flowers can also be easily removed and replaced, unlike when using floral foam where you should avoid taking out and placing flowers back since the stems leave holes in floral foam.

Cons: Difficult to transport after arranging as some stems may be loosely held and could fall out during transportation

2. Kenzan and Flower Frogs

Traditionally in East Asian floral arrangements, Kenzans 劍山 are one of the main tools used in Japanese floral arrangement i.e. Ikebana. Coming in different sizes and shapes (circular, square, oval, crescent etc), these metal tools date back to the 19th century.

Pros: Kenzans are long lasting and can be re-used multiple times. You can create an arrangement even with a few stems when using this tool.

Cons: They are expensive and can be quite hard to clean out if debris get stuck between the needles. As the needles are sharp, take care when using them to prevent injury.

3. Tape Grids and Vase Grids

Now easily available are vase grids, made up of metal, silicone or plastic, are lids with holes that covers the top of the vase. If you do not have one at home, you can easily create one with anchor tape - this is a kind of florist tape that is water resistant.

Pros: If you are using a tape grid, you can easily change the size of the grid and cells according to the size of the vessel and the type of flowers you will be using.

Cons: For metal vase grids, they may be hard to conceal by leaves hence they may still be seen after the arrangement is completed. Changing water is slightly challenging for arrangements using tape grids as you will have to tip the glass over to pour out and refill the water through the tape.

4. Water tubes

Glass or plastic water tubes are a functional replacement for floral foam, commonly used in floral installations, flowers that require more hydration can be placed into tubes and then inserted into chicken wire. This method can also be used for extending flower stems that are broken.

Pros: Tubes are recyclable and are inexpensive, there are also different sizes of tubes for different stem thickness

Cons: Water tubes only hold a small amount of water so for displays that span a couple of days, make sure that water does not run out in the tubes.

There are also other methods of creating floral arrangement without floral foam, such as using moss, pebbles, aluminium wires and other types of ceramic / glass floral frogs etc. Unfortunately in Singapore and other parts of South East Asia where the tropical heat is unforgiving, many florists still rely on floral foam especially for weddings and event displays to ensure that the flowers are well hydrated and can last throughout the ceremony.

Christmas Wreaths & Garlands Ideas

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! Ahead of the festive season (it’s only mid year now), we have compiled a bunch of our DIY videos that we have filmed for our students and past clients for some inspiration for your home decoration.

Not only do we love the look of these Christmas arrangements, the fresh scent of evergreens, pine leaves and cinnamon sticks (and other ornaments) is such a welcoming touch. Here are some ideas to style your homes with the same materials in multiple ways for the festive feeling.

1. Decorate your table with a Fresh Garland

A quick and simple idea as a table centrepiece to host your feasting and parties

1. Using a string to guide you, layer on pin par (conifer) eucalyptus leaves, berries and nuts

2. Bunch them together with florist wire

3. Keep adding bunches until your desired length

4. End the Garland by reversing the direction of the last bunch

5. Glue on orange slices and pine cones, add a few candles to set the mood for the occasion.

Video produced by BoConcept Singapore

2. Accessorise a plain faux or fresh Christmas wreath

For a longer lasting decoration or something you can reuse even the next few year, get a faux Christmas wreath from a craft or home decoration store like Daiso, Mason’s, Bed and Bath Table etc. and spruce it up with your own ornaments!

Here are 3 ways on attaching your Christmas ornaments onto a faux or fresh wreath using floral wires! Video produced for Roger Dubuis Singapore

1.Separate wires and twist around the back of wreath

2. Join wires and insert directly into the wreath base

3. Separate wires and twist around the leaves

Tie a ribbon to hang the wreath

2. Wire your own Christmas Wreaths

The best part about making Christmas wreaths is the scent of the fresh foliage, get hands-on to create the green base from scratch by wiring various plant material on, adding on the seasonal ornaments and berries or any other fruits.

You can also purchase a Wreath DIY Kit to create one at home or attend our Wreath Making Workshop in the Studio!

3. Make a mini table top Christmas Tree

Take it a step further to build a table top Fresh Nobilis Pine Mini Tree! This idea is perfect for those living in smaller apartments or do want to save the hassle of having to clean up the leaves of a live Conifer tree.

You can attend a Mini Tree Workshop in the Studio if you wish to create one too!

Types of Long Lasting Cut Flowers

Types of Long-Lasting Cut Flowers for Singapore’s Weather

Do you love having flowers at home? It’s amazing how the scent and colours of flowers instantly lifts our mood.

We all wish that our fresh blooms can last as long as possible so we get to enjoy the beauty of them. However, especially in Singapore’s warm climate, fresh flowers do not last as long here. How long can flowers last in Singapore? Almost all cut flowers available in Singapore are imported from overseas and many are grown in colder climates. The average lifespan of cut flowers is around 3-5 days.

Apart from proper care, the tip is to select the right type of flowers so you can enjoy your fresh blooms for a longer period of time.

We have compiled a list of 5 flower varieties that do better in this tropical heat to get more bang for your buck!

1. Anthuriums

Native to tropical areas, this unique flower comes in a variety of beautiful colours such as peaches, corals, white and caramel shades. You can also get them as potted plants in Singapore, as cut flowers they can last up to 3 weeks.

2. Carnations

These frilled beauties are often given out during Mother’s Day, they last up to 3 weeks! Select those that originate from Holland or Colombia for unique shades of colours, they even come in ombre gradients or with stripes.

3. Alstroemeria

Also Known as the Peruvian lily, these delicate looking blossoms can last 1-2 weeks and come in many shades of colours, they are affordable too, making them a great choice for home decoration.

4. Eustomas

Often mistaken for roses, these round shape flowers are pretty hardy as long as they come fresh, with frequent change of water and trimming of stem ends, they can last 1-2 weeks.

5. Banksias and Proteas

Hailing from countries like South Africa and Australia, these long lasting and interesting flowers last around 3 weeks and dried up nicely. They are thirsty flowers so add water to your vase regularly

Pet Friendly Cut Flowers To Have At Home

5 Pet-Friendly Flowers That Are Safe Around Your Dogs and Cats

Our dogs and cats are members of the family. Just like little toddlers they can get curious about almost anything under the sun. It may be our precious charger, a slipper or anything you name it. They may jump, lick, nibble, rub or even eat it. As our furry-friends health is a priority, some pet parents may choose not to have any flower arrangements. Fret not, not all flowers are harmful to your pets! If you like some fresh blooms in your homes, here 5 pet-friendly flowers and some tips on how to protect your pets from plant poisoning.

1. Roses

Roses are generally harmless to our pets. However, when ingested it can cause mild tummy upset. Watch out for their torns as they may potentially cause scratches should your curious furry friends pounce or chew on them. 

2. Gerbera Daisies

Gerbera daisy is a fun and colourful pet-friendly flower that is widely available in Singapore. They come in different shapes and sizes complementing many vase and bouquet arrangements. These flowers are not a concern if ingested. However, since it is not a part of your pet’s natural diet, It would be wise to keep them away from your paw friends reach. 

3. Sunflower

These bright and sunny beauties can make anyone’s day much better. What’s even better is that there is nothing poisonous about these blooms. This goes for both humans and animals. 

4. Orchids

Orchids are another safe option to have around, there isn’t much to worry even if they decide to have a bite of this delicate flower. However, the plant is the one that needs protection from our pets. A tip is to dust orchid leaves with cinnamon powder or cayenne pepper. This will help work as a cat repellant as they hate this smell and will leave the plant alone.

5. Statice

Statice is used commonly as filler flowers. If these are consumed by your paw-friends. It is unlikely to cause any severe issues. 

Cut flowers to avoid:

Asiatic / Day lilies are highly poisonous to pets especially cats, avoid displaying lilies in your home if you own a cat

Naturally, we would all love to stick to the suggested pet-friendly flowers. However, when receiving as a gift or when creating an arrangement. It may not be possible to only have these flowers. Therefore, some tips for our flower-loving pet parents are to educate your close friends about what kind of pet-friendly flowers you would love to receive, put your flowers in an area where your furry friends may not have access, using some natural pet-repellent such as vinegar sprays and dusting with cinnamons and cayenne pepper and to always check if the flowers are pet-friendly before ordering a flower arrangement for either yourself or your loved ones living with another furry friend!

6 Popular Flowers for Mother's Day and their Unique Meanings

Popular Mother’s Day Flowers and Their Unique Meanings

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With the month of May approaching, Mother’s Day is almost here! Time to make the tough decision on how best to show your appreciation for your mum, mother-in-law or your wife. Flowers are one of the best Mother’s Day gifts for the special women in your life.

For those of you who are not sure of what to buy, we have compiled a list of 6 suitable blooms with positive meanings for this occasion. As each flower represents a different meaning, it is important to choose the right blooms to convey your love and appreciation.

1. Carnations

   Carnations are traditionally the official flower of Mother’s Day. It has come to signify purity, faith, love, beauty and all the traits that represents the virtue of Motherhood. Carnations are available in a variety of colours and are one of the longest lasting flowers, something mums will appreciate! The most popular options to celebrate this occasion are the pink and red carnations.

   • Pink carnations symbolise a mother’s pure and never-ending love. They can be used to express appreciation and thankfulness.

   • Red carnations symbolise sincere love, affection, and admiration.

2. Tulips

   Tulips are an elegant choice for gifting and they happen to be in season during Mother’s Day! This flower represent perfect love. Most colours of tulips are suitable for the occasion and the choice of colour depends on the exact message you would like to send.

   • Pink tulips represent affection, good wishes and health

   • Red tulips symbolise romantic and passion, perfect for showing your wife appreciation

   • Purple tulips represent elegance and royalty, making it a great choice for your mother-in-law

   • Orange and Yellow tulips symbolises happiness, joy and hope

3. Orchids

   Orchids are a great option to send as they represent love, luxury, beauty, and strength. In Asian and Chinese culture, this auspicious flower also symbolises abundance, wealth, and is a lucky plant to have at home. Additionally, cut orchids or potted ones last for a long time in the Singapore weather.

   • Pink or purple orchids signify respect, admiration, and elegance

   • Green orchids represent good health and fortune. 

4. Lilies

   Lilies are one of the most beloved flowers by many mothers due to their large bloom size and beautiful shape. Coming in a variety of colours and species, they associated with good fortune, happiness and Motherhood. However, this flower is toxic to cats and carry a strong scent. Hence, if your recipient has a pet cat or is sensitive to scent, it is not recommended to send it to her.

   • White lily represents purity and majesty

   • Pink lilies symbolises admiration, love and abundance

5. Hydrangea

   Hydrangeas symbolises gratitude, grace, and beauty. This lush and multi-petaled bloom is a great choice for the mother that gives ample amount of love and support.

   • Blue hydrangeas represents understanding and deep gratitude

   • Pink hydrangeas represent love and sincerity

   • White hydrangeas represents purity and grace

   • Purple hydrangea shows understanding and abundance

6. Roses

   Roses are a reliable classic bloom, however, skip the red, which is typically associated with romantic love. Opt for other colours or a mixed coloured bouquet

   • Deep Pink Roses represents appreciation and gratitude

   • Light Pink Roses represents happiness, joy, admiration

   • Peach Roses symbolise thanks and gratitude

   Whichever flowers you chose to send to your mother, wife or mother-in-law, we are sure that she would be delighted to receive them! Otherwise, create a bouquet for her at the studio or spend time with her at our floral arrangement workshop 😆

How to Keep Your Flowers Alive Longer

How to Keep Your Flowers Alive Longer

If you are a flower lover like us, here are some tips on how to care for your fresh flowers at home!  We all know that flowers do not last forever but with a little care, you can extend the life of your fresh blooms to get the maximum enjoyment out of them.

Simple steps after receiving a bouquet of flowers:

1. Remove flowers from wrapping and water source

2. Snip stems at a sharp angle

3. Display at cool area in a vase of clean water

4. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat

5. Change water daily or every alternate day

6. Optional: Use flower food provided by your florist which will give the flower nutrients and kill the bacteria in the water

Last but not least, Enjoy your flowers!

Removing Thorns and Leaves from Roses

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, the prices of Roses are skyrocketing! The red rose, classic and timeless symbol of love, as we all know, is beautiful but covered in thorns (our poor hands).

These beauties are a florist’s nightmare especially when having to clean and arrange dozens of them. Today we will share more about a quick flower shop hack about removing thorns from roses. If you enjoy displaying roses at your home or are a newbie florist, an investment of a few dollars in one of these handy tools, the thorn stripper (or de-thorner) can save you much time and those band aids.

We explore how to use them in the video below. But here are the steps on how to use them

How to use Thorn Strippers

1. Clip or fold the thorn remover around the base of the flower head (above the leaves and thorns)

2. Holding the base of the flower securely with the other hand, apply pressure securely along the stem and pull the tool downwards

3. Leaves and thorns will be caught in the jagged teeth and removed off the stem. Be careful when using thorn strippers as they can easily damage the stems and cause unsightly browning if too much force is applied along the stem.

Although it really saves much time, one of our florists still loves using regular floral scissors to clip them off, the other prefers to use floral or kitchen knives to cut the thorns off because it is even quicker way (wow). You can thank us for this finger saving hack!

Floral Arrangement Bridal Parties and Private Workshops

Floral Arrangement Bridal Parties and Private Workshops

Planning a Bridal Shower or Bachelorette Party? Floral arrangement workshops are a great choice for a leisure bridal party gathering or part of the full day celebration programme! The studio is available for private bookings exclusively for Hen’s Parties.

Which floral arrangement workshop should you sign up for?

There are fresh flower arrangement options and preserved flower options. Fresh flowers may be familiar to most of us but Preserved Flowers have been gaining popularity over the last few years. They are real flowers which have been treated to last up to 1 year! This allows the flowers to be used as a long term display, some bridal parties even double the flowers up as bridesmaid’s posies or themed decorations during the wedding / solemnisation ceremony .

The most popular workshops at the Studio for private classes are:

1. Preserved Floral Jar Workshop : Keep the flowers as display or use them as bridesmaid’s posies, they can last up to 1 year

2. Vase Arrangement Workshop : Fresh flowers are frequently displayed in vases at home. This makes the Vase arrangement workshop one of the most popular classes in the Studio. The techniques learnt during the workshop can be used for any types of flowers and everyone gets to take home the vase and beautiful seasonal fresh flowers!

Our private / hen’s floral workshops start with groups of 2 pax, and up to 15 pax. For more information and photos, visit the Private Workshops Page or email us at info@botanystudio.com for the pricelist / catalogue or to book a slot.

Handling Floral Foam

Floral foam is an essential material in any Florist Shop, it is a lightweight and porous material that supports stems when inserted. It can be cut into any shape making it an excellent choice for any arrangement that requires stability.

Which type of floral foam should I use?

• Wet floral foam (green) are for fresh cut flower arrangements. It absorbs a large amount of water providing a water source for your fresh flowers letting them live for a longer period of time.

• Dry floral foam (grey) are for dried flower or artificial botanical arrangements. It does not absorb water so it cannot be used interchangeably for fresh flowers.

How to soak floral foam (Wet)

To soak wet foam simply follow these steps:

1. Cut into your desired shape

2. Drop foam block on the surface of a pail of clear water

3. Let it sink down without any assistance

4. Once foam is fully soaked the colour will change from light to dark green

Foam takes around 1-2 minutes to hydrate completely but many florists soak blocks in advance (e.g. the evening before an event). Once wet floral foam has dried out, it does not absorb water well so it should not be reused for arrangements. View our Youtube Video for a guide to soaking wet floral foam!

How to Air Dry Flowers

Drying flowers is a great option for those who want some decor in their homes but do not want the hassle to maintain fresh blooms. You can also save a special bouquet as a memory and style them similarly to fresh flowers by putting them in vases or arranging a centrepiece. In this post we will show you how to air dry flowers. To get high quality dried flowers, dry flowers when they are still fresh and not when they withering! Otherwise your dried blooms may fall apart or have brown spots when fully dried.

Some of our favourite flowers for air drying: Astilbe, Baby’s Breath, Blue Thistle, Caspia, Delphiniums, Hydrangeas, Ornamental Grasses, Roses, Spray Roses, Statice.

Steps to dry flowers:

1. Remove Leaves and browning petals

2. Gather stems in small bunches and trim to desired length

3. Secure each bundle with string

4. Hang each bunch upside down in a cool and dry place

5. Let the flowers completely dry (usually takes 2-3weeks)

6. Keep dry and away from direct sunlight

Basic Colour Theory

Colour is one of the most important elements in Floral Design. It sets the mood for the arrangement and the event space where the florals are in, it is also symbolic in certain cases such as congratulatory, sympathy and they carry cultural meaning as well (red flowers are popular during Chinese New Year) etc.

So it becomes important for floral designers to understand how colours mix and match with each other. A good way to visualise colour is using a colour wheel. The colour wheel consists of primary, secondary and tertiary colours.

Photo Source: Print peppermint

We will introduce 2 basic colour palettes: Analogous and Complementary

1. Analogous Colours: Next to each other on the colour wheel. Using them creates a harmonious arrangement which is pleasing to the eye.

If you are planning a wedding and thinking of choosing the colour palette of your flowers, or creating a gift arrangement for a friend, a safe choice will be the Analogous palette. Just a quick browse on wedding florists and photographers portfolio and you can see that most weddings tend to adopt the analogous palette such as pinks/reds/peaches or purple/blues hues.

Some examples:

Source: Botany Studio (and hosted) Workshops

2. Complementary colours: Exist exactly on the other side of the colour wheel. Using them creates a vibrant arrangement with high contrast.

If you like something bolder with character, you can try a complementary colour palette and your flowers will really pop in photos! Don't forget that the colour of your dress or suit and the background colours of the event venue matters as well. In doubt, consult your wedding florist or revisit the colour wheel to help with visualisation.  

 Some examples:

source: Botany Studio Workshops, last photo source , source

If you realise, black and white are not on the wheel, they are neutral shades and contribute to the tint and shade of colours (we will not delve into that). But you can add white flowers to your arrangement as they match well with all other colours.

We hope this brief overview of colours in floral design helped you to understand more of it’s importance in floristry. For more information on colour theory:

• https://99designs.com.sg/blog/tips/the-7-step-guide-to-understanding-color-theory/

• https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-design/basic-color-theory

Flower Suppliers and Wholesalers in Singapore

Where do flowers in Singapore come from? Where can I get large amount of flowers or small batches of flowers?

These are some questions we will be covering in today’s post!

With the measures easing and the economy going into Phase 2, the flower wholesalers are opened once again. During the Circuit Breaker period, the supply chain was heavily disrupted by the closure of global borders and there was virtually no flowers during a certain period of time. Luckily things have managed to recover slightly and although some prices have revised due to higher transport costs.

Where do flowers come from?

Since Singapore is in the Tropics and due to scarce land space, once of the few flowers grown locally and exported are Orchids. A bunch of orchids can last beautifully as they are perfectly suited for our weather.

Majority of the fresh flowers come from China, Kenya, Netherlands (Holland) and Malaysia, followed by Australia and South Africa. Some also hail from Colombia, Ecuador, India, Italy.

That’s the reason why cost of flowers in Singapore are so much more expensive than in other countries! Each country also have their speciality exports (Such as Roses from Kenya, Proteas from South Africa, Tulips from Netherlands) and the same flower from different countries may have different characteristics (different size or colour or price) .

Is there a flower market in Singapore?

There is no single flower market in Singapore unlike countries such as the UK or Australia where many suppliers congregate under the same roof. Instead wholesalers in Singapore operate individually and are scattered throughout the island.

Where can I get large amount of flowers?

For quantity and variety definitely head to the various flower importers / wholesalers around Singapore. Fresh cut flowers are stored in Cold Rooms where temperatures can go as low as 6 degrees Celcius! So always bring a jacket.

There are many other smaller wholesalers as well but these are some of the largest ones in Singapore:

1. Far East Orchid

2. GG Fresh Flowers

3. Ji Mei Flower

4. Green Hub Flowers

Where can I get small batches of flowers?

Not all of us are able to use the whole entire bunch of flowers retailed in wholesalers. Hobbyists who want to get small batches of flower for a single arrangement or to gift friends can visit the

1. Neighbourhood wet markets: there are usually 1-2 shops in the wet markets selling loose flowers. You can visit Tiong Bahru market where there are several (4-5) flower shops on the first level all retailing by small bundles or by stalk.

2. Grocery stores: Most NTUC Fairprice and Cold Storage outlets have a section of cut flowers, some larger then others (like the section in Parkway Parade). They come in small bundles of 3-5 stalks.

During our 2 day courses (i.e. Basic or Wedding Course) we take participants on a flower supplier visit, where we introduce the purchasing process and give tips on how to select flowers, what to look out for when buying wholesale etc. We will be resuming the courses in August soon, can’t wait!

For more free DIY tutorials and videos visit our IGTV page.

Flower Guide: Standard vs Garden Roses

Roses, the most popular flower in the world. Coming in thousands of hybrids and more than 150 species worldwide, these petaled beauties have stolen our hearts and many others alike.

Cut roses come in so many shades, sizes and colors! Garden roses in Singapore cost significantly more than Standard ones but they have been growing in popularity lately. Some very popular varieties include David Austin Keira, Cafe Latte etc. So what exactly is the difference apart from the price tag?

Shape:

Standard roses have pointed shape petals rotated around one center while Garden roses have ruffled petals swirling around different centers to form a rounded bloom.

Size:

In general Garden roses are larger than Standard ones due to the bloom and petal shape

Scent:

Standard roses do not carry scent and some Garden roses are bred for their scent!

Vase life:

Standard roses tend to have longer vase life (they live longer) than garden roses

As you can see from the photo above, there are differences even between various standard roses or garden roses, with so many different varieties to choose from, roses will definitely remain one of our favourite flowers!

What's a typical day of an Online Florist like?

People think that being a florist is all about being wrist deep in beautiful flowers, soothing music and smiles. The reality can be quite different! Including wearing a mask 50% of the time even during Pre-COVID period due to pollen, dust and tiny insects. Since events has ceased to a grinding halt, the days have become more routined and it is pretty much what a full time online florist does on a typical day. (Check out our sister retail store The Daily Posy)

The events life is vastly different from what you can expect from being a retailer (selling bouquets / arrangements) but more about that in another post (or several). That's a whole other world of activity.

• First thing in the morning once the eyes are opened is to on check new orders that have come in through the night. Believe it or not people actually order flowers online at 3am in the morning! Consolidate the orders, print messages and get updated on world news.

• 9am: Have a morning coffee while updating the delivery routes for the day, informing the courier partners on their routes. Close the order form for same day.

• Head to the flower supplier to select & collect flowers, goods like wrapping, hardware items etc. If the day is too packed or the items are too heavy will pay extra to get them delivered to the Studio. The main difference in Singapore is that we don't have to scramble to the markets too early (like 5am) unlike other countries.

• 10am: Open the studio and let the overwhelming scent of flowers out. Quickly release the first batch of deliveries.

• 11am: Quick clean of the studio, the ground is never void of dust or leaves or small petals no matter how many times you sweep, vacuum, mop. Especially when working with pampas grass! (the boon of arrangements the bane of those who doing cleaning). Also not forgetting to condition and categorise any new stock.

• 12noon: Lunch time!

• 1pm: Prepare and send the second batch of deliveries out, all items are on their way to the customers!

• 2pm: Have another cup of coffee or tea, check emails, social media DMs, reply to queries, post some photos

• 3pm: Prepare for the next day orders

• 6pm: Pack the studio since the place probably looks like a hurricane ran through and disinfect the place/ tools/pails

• On average, closing time is anywhere between 630-730pm depending on the order volume

So that's about it for a retail only day for us! Every shop has their own schedule and if you have a walk-in store front, it will include entertaining customers, creating customised bouquets on the spot for collection or opening the shop earlier. Being a florist is a physically intense job with long hours of standing and tons of packing/cleaning to do.

If you are thinking about being a florist, on average you will only spend 40-50% of your time doing flowers while the rest of the day will be filled with other preparation, admin and cleaning work.

Want more insights on Florist Life? Follow our Instagram page @Botanystudiosg or keep a lookout on this page!

Basic Tools for Floristry

Wondering what tools you will need and why we use them? In this post we will introduce the essential tools used in floristry. Of course there are many other tools used but these are the bare essentials to get anyone started!

1. Cutters: Floral Scissors, Pruning Shears, Ribbon Scissors

Different types of floral scissors

Pruning Shears

Ribbon scissors

• The most important tool are cutters, you can either use floral knives or scissors to cut stems. Sharp scissors are important to give a clean cut to the stems so that they can uptake water easily.

• Pruning shears are also highly recommended to help you cut through the thicker stems and prevent any hand injury.

2. Tapes: Florist tape, cellophane tape, pot tape

Floral Tape

Pot Tape

Cellophane tape

• Floral Tape is quintessential in a florist's toolkit, it is a tape that is used to conceal wires, mend stems and bind stems together. In Singapore we get the variety that becomes sticky once stretched (generally green colour) but there are other options available such as parafilm

• Pot tape is a waterproof tape that is used to secure floral foam to vessels or used to bind bouquets

• Regular Cellophane tape is used to tape paper while wrapping, seal water sources etc

Floral wires

Twine, cords, ribbons

3. Wires: Wires come in many different sizes and colours and is used to create arrangements such as floral crowns, corsages etc.

4. Twine: You can use brown string, cords, ribbons to bind bouquets or to decorate your arrangements

Below is a video introducing and demonstrating the use of some of these essential tools!

Want to learn more about floristry?

Hi everyone!

With the current coronavirus situation, it has definitely been an uncertain time for us but we are grateful to have this opportunity to take time to reflect on and re-align this small business. Since there is more time in our hands due to multiple events being cancelled, we will be updating this space and creating a youtube channel to share more about floristry. It has always been a personal passion of mine to teach and share knowledge of flowers, seeing that it brings much joy to our workshop participants or anyone who works with flowers leisurely.

We are planning to release a series of posts and videos on introduction to floristry, DIY arrangement techniques, things you can expect for your wedding florals, our favourite florists, and even talk about our experience in the business aspects of running a floral business (since it is quite a few people’s dream to run a floral shop). Stay tuned and stay healthy everyone!

- Botany Studio Team