Work with floral sponge. Oasis - invisible assistant florist

HOW TO WORK WITH THE OASIS

Oasis - artificial porous material with capillary properties, well absorbing and long lasting moisture. In everyday life, it is known as floristic sponge, foam, piaflor, floristic foam, but we will call this material an oasis, since it is under this name that it is most widely known. The oasis invented in Denmark (it happened by chance - originally it was developed for the aircraft industry, and not for floristics) that underwent a change: the quality improved, new shapes and colors appeared. However, the main properties of the oasis - to retain moisture and keep flowers securely in the compositions - have remained unchanged. An oasis can be of two types: for natural flowers and for work with dried flowers or artificial flowers. In this book, each type and “subspecies” of the oasis, rules for setting colors, fixing material and much more will be presented.

Technical material - an oasis for cut flowers

The traditional color of the technical oasis, which is used to compose compositions from natural flowers, is dark green. This makes it in most cases invisible under plants. Nevertheless, a green oasis must be decorated before placing flowers on it, but a decorative colored one is not. Oasis is a very light material, but it can absorb so much water that it becomes ten times heavier than its original weight. There is only one way to saturate the oasis with moisture - to put it on the surface of the water and give it to yourself (as it absorbs) to immerse in it. In no case can not be watered dry oasis on top or press on him for a speedy dive. Such actions will lead to the fact that water will leak only into the outer layers, and the middle of the oasis will remain dry with air cavities, which will make it unsuitable for composing the composition, and such an oasis can only work as a float. Secondary oasis for living flowers is not recommended. Holes from the stems create voids in it with air, which when reused can get a cut of the stem. The flower will remain without water and will wither much earlier than the time allowed for the composition.

Council An oasis is equally easy to cut in both dry and moist form. However, if you are allergic, it is better to form the basis of the composition from an oasis soaked in water so that its smallest particles do not fly apart and you cannot inhale them.

Variety of shapes

From a standard brick, you can "cut out" almost any shape. If the composition should be large, then several briquettes will be used. Details of the complex “sculptural” composition are fastened together with wooden studs, and during large-scale works, the oasis turns into a metal or plastic net or a frame of rods is assembled around it, which will not allow the oasis to fall apart under the weight of colors. All this construction is carefully decorated, and only then flowers are established in it. The industry quickly responded to the tendency of florists to model various forms from an oasis-brick. The oasis began to be produced for the most traditional and sought-after types of compositions: a Christmas wreath, a heart, a port bouquet for a small bouquet, a hemisphere for small table compositions, and even “carriages” for garlands. All these forms are already attached to the plastic base, which allows you to do without vases and flowerpots, placing flowers right on the table or wall.
Such forms of the oasis are somewhat more expensive than ordinary briquettes, but they significantly facilitate the work.

Oasis as the basis of the composition

An already oasis is placed in a vase. Depending on the type of container, the basis of the composition is cut from the oasis of the desired shape and size with a sharp knife; partially loses its properties. It is better to cut a few more pieces from the oasis so that it easily, without being forced, fits into the required volume, thereby creating additional space for water in the vase.

Council The oasis of the old standard, drying up, changes color. Re-moisten such an oasis is possible only in boiling water, but this is an exceptional measure, since any oasis is a disposable product.

When using a radial technique, an oasis must necessarily rise above the upper edge of the container in order to be able to place flowers and leaves at an angle, thus covering the edges of the vase. If the material is set in parallel, the requirements are different: the oasis must be below the edge of the vase.
So that the extra holes do not weaken the structure of the oasis, think in advance where you want to place the plants. From each stem, the side shoots are preliminarily removed, as well as the thorns and thick parts. Then be sure to make an oblique cut length of 2-3 cm. The larger the area of \u200b\u200bthe cut, the more freely the plant will be able to absorb water, maintaining freshness as long as possible. The stem, cut at a right angle, compacts the oasis under itself, destroying its capillary structure, thereby depriving the plant of the necessary moisture.

Oasis attachment methods

When using deep vessels, the problem of fixing the oasis disappears by itself. It is simply cut to the size of the container and fit into it. However, the beauty of the oasis is that it can be used to place flowers in unexpected places, even on flat trays and in openwork baskets.
The environment of the traditional methods of fastening an oasis is plastic tattoos, which are glued onto flat surfaces with adhesive tape, and an oasis is already strung on them. If the vase is small and wide, then a piece of oasis in its center is attached crosswise with a special adhesive tape-anchor, the ends of which are pressed to the edges of the vase. The anchor has a green color, so it does not catch the eye at all and is as easily decorated as the oasis itself.

Council Thin food film will not only preserve the freshness of products, but also retain moisture for plants. Wrap a wet oasis in it if you plan to place it in a “leaking” tank. Thin as mica, the film is easily pierced with stems.

There are special containers for an oasis - these are vessels with a round or rectangular inner recess or flat with sharp ribs on the bottom, which serve as tattoos. These vessels are extremely functional, therefore they require mandatory decoration. In the baskets the oasis is fixed with the help of twine. It spreads over the oasis, and the edges are pulled between the twigs and tied. So that the moisture does not leak through the basket, the bottom and 2/3 of the side walls of the oasis are wrapped in polyethylene.

Tatyana Lokrina "Compositions on the oasis"

Floristic sponge (OASIS, floristic foam, floristic foam, piaflor) is a synthetic moisture-absorbing material of foamy form with capillary properties that absorbs well and holds moisture for a long time.

Invented in Denmark in the 40s of the last century (although material was originally developedfor aircraft industry, and not for floristics) floral oasis is constantly changing : improvedaxis quality, new shapes and colors appeared.

But the main properties floristicoasis remained unchanged: retain moisture and securely fasten flowers in compositions.

Currently, floral piaflor is of two types: greenabsorbs water and is applied for compositions with live plants, but gray or brown applies only to arrangementswith dry or artificial plants.

Manufacturing technology floristic foam kept secret and transferred to the company Oasisfrom generation to generation.

Traditional color floral sponge "oasis" - dark green.This color is least noticeable in compositions of flowers and ornamental plants. But still green piaflor it is desirable to decorate competently in a flower arrangement.

Floristic oasis used as a fixative of flowers and plants at any angle in a vessel of any shape and size.

Due to its capacity and porosity floral sponge perfectly absorbs water and keeps it for a long time without losing its hardness and elasticity.
Oasis - a very light material that can absorb a lot of water, it becomes ten times heavier than its original weight. Soak floristic foam moisture is very easy - put it on the surface of the water and let it sink into it.

Floristic sponge comes in different sizes, different shapes and colors.

But floristic foamwhich is for sale on flower bases and in wholesale storesIt is usually a standard form (brick, cube, oval), and therefore is not always suitable for invented composition.

Therefore, there is always another option - just cut out floral sponge the form that is needed. From standard brick oasisyou can "carve out" almost any shape.Floristic sponge cut very easily, so do not have to make great efforts. With the help of a conventional construction or clerical knife, you can create wonderful ones from it. flower arrangementsdesired shape or size.

There is even a sale special knife for cuttingfloristic foam. Stainless steel blade designed to provide the most rapid and cost-effective cuttingfloristic foam.

By the way, the manufacturers rather quickly responded to the tendency of florists and flower arrangers to model from oasis-bricks of all kinds.

Piaflor now available for the most traditional and sought-after types of compositions: Christmas wreath, heart, portbukettice for a small bouquet, hemispheres for small desktop compositions, "trailers" for garlands, various little animals, cars, trains, hearts, horseshoes, etc.

To create a multi-faceted composition, you must use specially designed tools. A floral sponge will help to create unique compositions in which seasonal flowers, fruits, geranium leaves, exclusive varieties of roses, as well as many other decor items will be harmoniously combined.

What is the purpose of floristic goods?

To the finished composition looked the most beautiful and harmonious, you need to take care of the correct attachment of plants. Products for floristics are presented in a large assortment. Professional and novice florists use a variety of technical devices for their work, thanks to which the plant can be firmly fixed in the vessel so that the auxiliary materials are not visible.

Most often, floristic foam is used for work, which is a porous artificial material. It is of several types and colors. The presented foam can be cut to the optimum size and shape.

In order for the finished flower arrangement to please its owner for a long time, when forming it, you need to apply an arranged grid, which during fasteners is able to maintain the natural inclination of the plant. Kenzan, sand, corrugated paper, as well as other materials and tools can be classified as floristic accessories.

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What is this item?

Floral sponge is also called floral foam. It implies a porous artificial material. It helps to secure plants as securely as possible in a variety of compositions. The main and main advantage of the presented material is the retention of plants at the optimum angle. It can be used for small, medium or large vessels. You can buy this device in specialized florist stores.

Video: Floristics

There are several varieties of floristic foam. The sponge of green color perfectly absorbs water, therefore florists apply it for arrangement with live plants. You can also mark a gray or brown sponge, which can only be used for composition with artificial or dry flowers and other plants.

Main varieties of floral sponge

Floristic sponge is the basis for any composition. It is presented in several versions:

Universal or classic. In most cases, sold in free form, which resembles an ordinary brick. It can be used to create a volumetric composition. The necessary figures are easily and quickly cut out of the universal sponge and given the necessary shape.
Shaped sponge. The stores sold already finished shape, size, thickness. Quite often it can be sold already in the form of a finished set of the required size.

Universal and shaped foam is produced by manufacturers in a variety of colors. Here you can find both natural shades and bright, juicy tones.

What can replace the floral sponge during composition creation

Many girls are fond of creativity and are looking for, than to replace the floral sponge at home. It is known that it must absorb water and be strong to withstand the pressure and weight of flowers and plants. To create a bouquet of dried flowers, branches, and leaves, you can use regular foam. It is trimmed to the required size or shape by the florist without much effort. In order that the leaves and branches were firmly fixed in the design, you can use glue.

Experts say that for such purposes are sometimes used mounting foam. In a container or box, it is necessary to evenly distribute and give it time to dry. After that, it is cut and begin to collect the future composition. The case with real flowers is different. Natural sponge, which is sold in a florist, has a unique composition and is able to absorb water, so at home it can be replaced with foam plastic and polyurethane foam. But so there is no guarantee that fresh flowers and plants will delight their beauty and freshness for a long time. After such advice, you should no longer have questions about how to make a floral sponge at home or how to replace it.

How to use floral sponge

As you know, floral sponge is quite versatile porous material. Most often, a green sponge is used for the composition of plants. It has a unique ability to absorb moisture in any quantity. Therefore, florists should always remember that it will become several times harder when wet.

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During the care of such material it is necessary to prevent its complete drying. When the sponge is completely dry and loses moisture, the flowers will lose their original appearance and dry out. It is best to wrap the sponge with plastic or foil. Only in this way can rapid evaporation of moisture be avoided. In order to constantly keep the sponge wet, it is necessary to bend the rim of the wrapper that was used for winding, and then inject water with a syringe.

How to make a composition using floral sponge OASIS

The question of where to buy a floral sponge can not always be quickly answered. Although in reality everything is simpler than it seems at first glance. The florist shop has everything you need to create a flower arrangement; this is where the OASIS sponge is sold. Before you start creating a composition, you must prepare all the materials. If work is to be done with artificial flowers, you will need to use a gray or brown sponge. It should be noted that the green sponge is used only for live plants. First you need to choose the optimal vessel where the finished composition will stand. The sponge is quickly cut to the desired shape or size.

The material should lie firmly in the vessel, after which you can create tattoos. They are needles, which are collected in several rows. They are attached with a sticky mass.

When everything is ready, you can install flowers, branches, leaves and other materials. Further, the vessel is masked, so that all fasteners and other auxiliary materials are not visible. When buying products for floristics, special attention should be paid to the manufacturer, as the quality of the composition created depends on it.

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What is the purpose of floristic goods?

Most often, floristic foam is used for work, which is a porous artificial material. It is of several types and colors. The presented foam can be cut to the optimum size and shape.

What is this item?

Main varieties of floral sponge

Floristic sponge is the basis for any composition. It is presented in several versions:

Universal or classic. In most cases, sold in free form, which resembles an ordinary brick. It can be used to create a volumetric composition. The necessary figures are easily and quickly cut out of the universal sponge and given the necessary shape.
Shaped sponge. The stores sold already finished shape, size, thickness. Quite often it can be sold already in the form of a finished set of the required size.

Universal and shaped foam is produced by manufacturers in a variety of colors. Here you can find both natural shades and bright, juicy tones.

What can replace the floral sponge during composition creation

Many girls are fond of creativity and are looking for, than to replace the floral sponge at home. It is known that it must absorb water and be strong to withstand the pressure and weight of flowers and plants. To create a bouquet of branches and leaves, you can use regular foam. It is trimmed to the required size or shape by the florist without much effort. In order that the leaves and branches were firmly fixed in the design, you can use glue.

Experts say that sometimes they are used for such purposes. In a vessel or box, it is necessary to evenly distribute the mounting foam and give it time to dry. After that, it is cut and begin to collect the future composition. The case with real flowers is different. Natural sponge, which is sold in a florist, has a unique composition and is able to absorb water, so at home it can be replaced with foam plastic and polyurethane foam. But so there is no guarantee that fresh flowers and plants will delight their beauty and freshness for a long time. After such advice, you should no longer have questions about how to make a floral sponge at home or how to replace it.

How to use floral sponge

How to make a composition using floral sponge OASIS

The material should lie firmly in the vessel, after which you can create tattoos. They are needles, which are collected in several rows. They are attached with a sticky mass.

Floral sponge (foam, oasis, piaflor)

There are several types - green absorbs water and is used for arrangements with live plants, gray or brown is used for compositions with dry or artificial plants, colored floral foam is universal, suitable for working with both fresh flowers and dried flowers.

A green oasis can be of various shapes - hearts, spheres, hemispheres, most often in the form of a rectangle or circle. It is very light, but by absorbing water, it becomes 30 times harder.

After wetting the green sponge should not be allowed to dry - after using it should be wrapped in foil or polyethylene, then it will serve for several more compositions.

The advantage of the floral sponge is that it keeps the stems at any angle in both shallow and deep vessels and eliminates the problem of water decay.

Its disadvantages include the need to additionally fix large plants with the help of looped wire and the fact that some plants (for example tulips) hardly absorb water from it.

Use of piaflora:

Floristic sponge, as a rule, dry - cut into pieces of the desired size. Then it should be soaked in water or in a preservative solution. It is impossible to say in advance how long it will take to do this - maybe a few minutes, or maybe half an hour, depending on the size of the sponge, water temperature, etc.

It is best done this way: without pressing, immerse piaflor in water and immediately release. When the upper surface of the sponge drops to the water level, it must be removed, because the soaked sponge becomes fragile.

Video example "How to soak a floral sponge"