Floral Materials & Tools Flashcards

Which floral foam brand is most widely recognized in the professional floral industry for fresh flower arrangements?

Answer: Oasis

Oasis floral foam is the industry-standard wet foam used to hold fresh flowers in water-retaining arrangements.

What is the primary purpose of a floral frog (kenzan)?

Answer: To anchor flower stems at the base of a container

A floral frog or kenzan is a pin holder placed at the base of a container to anchor and position flower stems.

Which gauge of floral wire is the thinnest and most flexible, typically used for delicate corsage work?

Answer: 30-gauge

Higher gauge numbers indicate thinner wire; 30-gauge is among the finest wires, ideal for wrapping delicate corsage stems.

What does 'hardening off' a stem mean in floral design?

Answer: Conditioning flowers in water after cutting to restore turgidity

Hardening off involves placing freshly cut stems in water to allow them to fully hydrate and firm up before use in arrangements.

Which of the following foliages is toxic and should be handled with care in floral arrangements?

Answer: Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is highly toxic and designers must wash hands thoroughly after handling it.

What is the correct way to clean floral scissors to prevent disease transmission between flowers?

Answer: Disinfect with a 10% bleach solution or rubbing alcohol

Tools should be disinfected with a diluted bleach solution or alcohol to kill pathogens that can spread from infected to healthy plant material.

Which tool is specifically designed to remove thorns from rose stems without crushing the stem's vascular tissue?

Answer: Thorn stripper

A thorn stripper removes thorns cleanly while minimizing damage to the stem, which helps maintain water uptake.