Flower Arranging Honor

Arts & Crafts

Requirements

1. Name six specimens of perennial flowers and six annual-flowering ones that are suitable for indoor decoration.

   Answer: You name PERENNIALS (bloom every year): rose, lily, geranium, hydrangea, orchid, anthurium. ANNUALS (bloom only one season): petunia, sunflower, zinnia, basil, pink (Dianthus), snapdragon. Each has its own colors and sizes — perennials form a permanent collection, while annuals allow you to vary the theme during the year. — Perennials are a long-term investment (roses live 30+ years with care). Annuals are economical and let you change the look seasonally. The anthurium is a tropical Brazilian plant popular in modern arrangements because it lasts 15-21 days in water. The snapdragon is native to the Mediterranean, common in traditional European gardens.

2. Name at least three species that bloom in spring or early summer that are suitable for indoor decoration.

   Answer: You name: 1) Tulip — a classic spring flower, various colors, lasts 7-10 days in water; 2) Lily — spring/summer, fragrant, various colors, lasts 10-14 days; 3) Rose — blooms from late spring to summer, a universal symbol, lasts 5-7 days in water. Other options: pansy, trumpet tree, hydrangea, peony, jasmine. — Holland is the world's largest producer of tulips (4 billion bulbs/year). The Casablanca lily is the most common in white arrangements for weddings. Petite roses are new miniature varieties, popular in mini bouquets. Spring brings the greatest diversity of flowers — an ideal temperature between 15-25°C stimulates blooming.

3. Name at least three flowers that do not keep well after being cut, and three that keep well after cutting.

   Answer: You name flowers that do NOT keep well (short life after cutting): 1) Hibiscus — wilts in 1 day; 2) Passion flower — closes within hours; 3) Daylily — opens for only 1 day. Flowers that keep WELL (long-lasting): 1) Chrysanthemum — up to 3 weeks in water; 2) Anthurium — 15-21 days; 3) Gerbera — 7-14 days. Other good ones: rose (with care), heliconia, lisianthus. — Flowers that keep well have thick, waxy petals. The 'hemerocália' in English is literally 'day-lily' — the stem produces one flower per day. Chrysanthemums are popular in Japanese markets for their durability. Changing the water every 2 days and cutting the stem at an angle increases vase life by 50%.

4. Present six suggestions for cutting flowers and caring for them after cutting, as well as when to cut, how to cut, and how to maintain them.

   Answer: Six suggestions for cutting flowers and caring for them after cutting, covering when and how to cut and how to maintain them: 1) WHEN to cut — early in the morning or at dusk, when the flower is full of water (turgid) and the heat is less intense; 2) HOW to cut — with sharp, clean scissors or a knife, in a diagonal cut (45°) to increase the absorption surface and prevent the stem from resting on the bottom of the vase; 3) Plunge the stem into water right after cutting (preferably warm water) to avoid air bubbles that block absorption; 4) Remove the leaves that would be submerged, since they rot and contaminate the water; 5) HOW TO MAINTAIN — use a clean vase, clean water, and, if possible, floral preservative (or sugar + a few drops of bleach); 6) Change the water every 1-2 days, re-trim 1 cm of the stem, and keep the flowers away from direct sunlight, heat, and ripe fruit (which release ethylene and accelerate wilting). — Cutting in the afternoon reduces vase life by 50% — flowers lose turgor in strong sun. Dull scissors crush stems and prevent absorption. A 45° angle doubles the absorbing area. Bacteria in the water clog stems — hence changing it regularly. Adding 1 teaspoon of sugar + a few drops of bleach keeps an arrangement up to 2 extra weeks.

5. At what stage of their development should roses, gladioli, and dahlias be cut?

   Answer: You cut: ROSES at the 'closed bud' stage (calyx broken but petals still closed — they will open in the water). GLADIOLI when half of the flowers on the stem are already open. DAHLIAS fully open — they do not continue to open after cutting. Each flower has its ideal point: cutting too early (green bud) prevents opening; too late reduces vase life. — Roses continue to open in water due to hormones already produced. Dahlias stop when cut — hence waiting for full opening. Gladioli (spikes) with half open give a varied visual pattern in the arrangement. Commercial florists respect these stages — cutting too early is the #1 cause of flowers that 'don't open' after purchase.

6. Present three suggestions on the relationship between the containers and the flowers used, and three on the relationship between the flower arrangement and the room and its furniture.

   Answer: CONTAINER-FLOWER (3 suggestions): 1) A tall, narrow vase for long-stemmed flowers (lilies, gladioli); 2) A low, wide vase for short-stemmed flowers or spread-out arrangements (daisies, violets); 3) A container with a neutral color/shape (glass, white ceramic) highlights colorful flowers, and the size of the vase should be proportional to the volume of the flowers. ARRANGEMENT-ENVIRONMENT (3 suggestions): 1) Dining table — a low arrangement that does not block the view or conversation between people; 2) Living room/sideboard — a medium to large arrangement, harmonized with the colors of the furniture and decor; 3) Corners and entrances — tall, vertical arrangements that take advantage of the space, always proportional to the size of the room and the piece of furniture where they sit (small furniture calls for a small arrangement). — The '1/3 and 2/3' rule: arrangement height = 1.5× the vase height. Japanese Ikebana teaches: an arrangement should have direction (vertical, horizontal). Cool colors (blue, purple) calm spaces; warm colors (red, yellow) energize them. A dining table requires a maximum height of 25 cm so as not to block the view between diners.

7. In flower arranging, what should the relationship be between darker and lighter colors, larger and smaller flowers, and open or partially open flowers?

   Answer: You take care of: COLORS — light ones in the upper part of the arrangement ('lifting' effect), dark ones at the base (visual stability). SIZES — larger ones at the base and center, smaller ones at the extremities (creates visual movement). OPENNESS — open ones in the center (focus), partially open ones at the edges (movement and depth). Visual balance follows the rule '1/3 dark colors, 2/3 light'. — Principles of visual composition apply to floral arrangements. The human eye naturally moves up from dark to light — hence dark ones at the bottom. Open flowers draw the eye (focal point); partially open buds appear to be 'in motion'. Japanese Ikebana sums it up: 'shin-soe-hikae' (heaven, man, earth) — three levels in the arrangement form the classic structure.

8. Make two flower arrangements for each of the following areas:
   • table decoration
   • general household use
   • public place

   Answer: You make 6 arrangements in total (2 per area): TABLE — low, with varied flowers (one with pink/white tones, another with yellow tones); HOUSE (general) — medium in a decorative vase (one with lilies and foliage, another with sunflowers); PUBLIC (church/office) — tall and striking (one with tropical flowers such as heliconia, another more sober with white gladioli). Document with photos. — A table requires a maximum height of 25 cm; public spaces call for impact (50-80 cm). Varying styles at the same event shows versatility. Tropicals (heliconia, anthurium) are durable and exotic — perfect for public spaces with circulation. Brazilian weddings use heliconias for their durability during the ceremony. Present the 6 photos to the instructor.

9. What are some of the wildflowers that can be used to decorate a house? What combinations of these flowers can be used?

   Answer: Field daisies, dandelions, pampas grass, thistle flowers, wild poppies, and pinks work well; combine complementary colors with varied textures, balancing colorful flowers with foliage and grasses for a natural, rustic arrangement. — Wildflowers offer rustic charm and low cost, but should be gathered with ecological responsibility. A harmonious combination respects complementary colors, varied heights, and balance between flowers and foliage, valuing the natural and wild aspect of these species.