World of Flowers

Artificial Flowers

Generally artificial flowers are made in a wide variety of materials depending on the market the manufacturer is reaching. In quantity, polyester has become the fabric of choice by flower makers and purchasers because of lower cost, ability of the fabric to accept dyes and glues, and durability.

Plastic is also the material used most often for the stems, berries, and other parts of flowers for the market that includes picks—small clusters of artificial flowers on short plastic and wire stems that can be inserted into forms to make quick, inexpensive floral decorations—and bulk sales of longer stems of flowers that are also less expensive.

Artificial flowers are made of paper, cotton, parchment, latex, rubber, sateen (for large, bold-colored flowers and arrangements), and dried materials, including flowers and plant parts, berries, feathers and fruits.

For more upscale silk flowers, silk, rayon, and cotton are the fibers of choice. Wire in a wide range of gauges or diameters is used for firmness in creating the stems (and in stiffening some flower petals and parts), but the wire is wrapped with specially dyed, tear-resistant, durable paper. No plastic is used. Most silk flowers are sold by the stem. Their designs begin with nature.

When a silk flower manufacturer plans to make a new design of a magnolia, for example, the designer takes a magnolia fresh from the tree and dissects it to use the actual parts as models. Dies called tools must be made to cut the silk petals.

The exact petals are used to design these tools and three or four are required to make the different sizes of petals that comprise the flower. The leaves also require several tools. The cutting dies are expensive to machine, so the manufacturer makes a significant financial commitment when investing in a new design.

Other natural materials such as dried flowers, feathers, and berries are also significant in the upper end market. To make fruit and some berries, specialty suppliers manufacture forms that are precisely sized and shaped to look like the real fruit from mixtures of tapioca or flour base.

The forms are sold to the flower manufacturer who dyes them and mounts them on paper-wrapped stems or stalks. All dyes and glues are also derived from natural materials.

All and sundry has different and unique ideas for decorating the spaces where they live and work. One decorating idea that I feel is over used is the use of artificial flowers. There are many people that will spend a great deal of money to find artificial flowers to place in their home; however I have never cared for them. I would rather use natural items to enhance an area.

Synthetic flowers appear cheap to me. I know that people spend a great deal of money on them but it does not take long for them to accumulate dust and to fade in color. By using natural items the colors last longer. By natural items I am referring to plant materials that have been dried to preserve them. There are several plants that dry very well and can be arranged to create permanent bouquets or can be placed in decorative baskets or on wreaths.

The Hydrangeas dry very well and will last for two to three years in the dried state. Roses and baby’s breath can also be dried and arranged to create permanent decorations.

The dried flowers can be purchased or you can dry them yourself. The dried flowers are only slightly more expensive than artificial flowers and are much more attractive.

Lately we were invited to two weddings on the same day. One wedding began at 2:00 in the afternoon and the other began at 6:00. Neither wedding involved a relative so we thought we would be able to attend both events. It would take us about 30 minutes to drive from one location to the other.

The foremost wedding was the daughter of one of my co-workers. This co-worker has her office filled with artificial flowers. She takes a great deal of pride in letting everyone know that she has arranged these artificial flowers herself. I was not surprised to see that the bride, as well as the wedding party had artificial flowers. I have never understood why people want to have permanent wedding bouquets.

The next wedding featured real flowers. The bouquets and corsages were beautiful and added a detail of elegance that was missing at the first wedding. The wedding cake was also decorated with real flowers, as were the guest tables. The fresh flowers added color and warmth to the reception area.

The vast improvements in the quality of artificial flowers as well as lifestyles that demand carefree home decorating accessories have caused a flowering of the artificial flower industry into a multi-billion-dollar business. Many of the individual flowers, stems, and foliage are now imported from Thailand, China, and Honduras where the intensive hand labor can be acquired more readily.