How to Wrap the Ends of Flowers

Heavy blooms, such as roses, tend to droop after a day or two.

Wrapping the ends of cut flowers with florist tape stabilizes them so that you can position them in floral arrangements. Flowers with fragile stems like Queen Anne's lace won't break as easily if you wrap them. Heavy blooms, such as roses, won't droop as quickly if you secure them in this manner. Whether you grow your own flowers or purchase cut flowers for an arrangement, this is an uncomplicated way to ensure your floral decorations have a professional look.

Things You'll Need

• Bucket
• Paper towels
• Stem wires
• Florist tape
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Place the cut flowers in a bucket of lukewarm water. This keeps them fresh while you are wrapping the flowers and arranging them. Dry the stems with paper towels before wrapping each flower.

2. Position the stem wire right alongside the flower stem. Hold them together with your non-dominant hand. The wire is not necessary unless you need additional strength along the flower stem or need to lengthen the flower.

3. Wrap the florist tape snugly around the flower stem and stem wire -- if you are using it -- with your dominant hand. Begin at the top of the stem underneath the bloom of the flower and work your way down.

4. Wind the florist tape down the length of the flower stem overlapping the florist tape just a bit to hide the wire.

5. Cut the florist tape once you reach the end of the flower stem or stem wire. Press it into the tape on the stem; it sticks to itself. Now you are ready to use the flower in crafts and arrangements.

Tips & Warnings

• If a stem has two or more blooms, cutting off the extra blooms and creating its own stem with florist wire and tape is an economical way to increase the size of your floral arrangement. Just push the stem wire into the bottom of the bloom and wrap the florist tape around it to create a faux flower stem. This method allows you to position the extra blooms where needed in the bouquet.

• The florist tape helps hold the moisture in the flower stem, enabling it to last for a few days in your floral decoration.

• You don't have to use the stem wires if additional lengths are not necessary for your cut flowers.

References

• Save On Crafts: The Art of Arranging Flowers: Flower Arranging with Fresh Flowers
• Overstock.com; How to Make Simple Flower Arrangements; Brooke Bartlett