How to Cut Flowers for a Tropical Arrangement

Tropical flower arrangements make a dramatic statement with their big flowers and bold colors. In order to produce the best possible arrangement you must learn how to cut the flowers. How you cut tropical flowers will determine the size and shape of the arrangement.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Give a tropical flower arrangement height. Cut the flowers with generous stems.

2. Insert the greenery into the vase first. Put the greenery in before you cut the flowers because you'll use the greenery to determine how long to cut the flowers.

3. Choose a center piece for the tropical flower arrangement. The center piece will be the highest flower in the arrangement.

4. Measure the center piece. Stand the flower up next to the vase. Cut the flower so it sticks a few inches up above the greenery.

5. Give the center piece a fresh cut. Cut the flower stem straight so the flower sits level in the vase. Place the flower in the center of the vase.

6. Cut the remaining flowers for the tropical arrangement at an angle. This makes them lean across the vase. Cut a couple flowers at the same height as the greenery. Then, cut a couple more so they are lower than the greenery and place these flowers in the front of the arrangement.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut tropical flowers with a pair of sharp shears. Most tropical flowers have thick stems and even sharp scissors may not make a clean cut of the stem.
• Cut lower flowers at a bigger angle so they will sit lower in the vase.