How to Get Floral Tape to Stick to the Stems

Floral tape strengthens fragile stems, such as baby's breath.

The trick to making floral tape stick is the technique you use to wrap the stems. The type of tape sticks to itself, but not other materials, as stated by Rutgers University. It is available in white, green, brown and clear colors. Green florist tape is useful in hiding cheap-looking plastic stems on silk flowers. It also adds strength to fragile, fresh flower stems, lengthens a too-short stem or combining them together to form a handle for a bouquet or other uses.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors

Instructions

1. Start at the top of the stem, just underneath the blossom. Wrap the floral tape around the stem by stretching it until it meets the other side. This allows it to stick.

2. Wind the florist tape downward on the stem at an angle. Overlap the edges slightly as you work your way down the stem. Do this so that the tape stretches slightly as you wind it. This enables it to stick well to the tape edges. This tension is crucial to how well it adheres. Tension activates the adhesive, as stated by Save on Crafts.

3. Wrap the floral tape around the bottom of the stem end and back up so that you have another section of the tape to which to adhere the end piece. Tear off the tape with your fingers or use a pair of sharp scissors. Press it into place on the wrapped stem.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a quality florist tape. It is available at craft and hobby, florists or garden centers. Cheap florist tape does not stick as well as a quality brand. Pulling the tape too tightly may cause it to break. A firm, even tension works best.

References

• Rutgers University: Tools for Flower Arranging
• Save on Crafts: Floral Designing Tools