If you are a flower enthusiast or flower lover, chances are you have come across Floral Foam, which is a sponge like material that soaks up water and acts as a support for flowers. However, being made up of Phenolic Resin, floral foam is non-biodegradable and non-recyclable. In recent years, florists and consumers alike have been looking to switch to more eco-friendly alternatives.
What are some simple tools that can be used replace flower foam?
1. Chicken wire
Chicken wire or wire mesh is commonly used as an alternative. By creating a base structure with a few layers of mesh, flower stems can be inserted through the grid like frame and held in place. The effect of using chicken wire is a more natural and organic flowy arrangement as stems tend to naturally move as more flowers are added to the arrangement.
Pros: Wire mesh can be used multiple times. Flowers can also be easily removed and replaced, unlike when using floral foam where you should avoid taking out and placing flowers back since the stems leave holes in floral foam.
Cons: Difficult to transport after arranging as some stems may be loosely held and could fall out during transportation
2. Kenzan and Flower Frogs
Traditionally in East Asian floral arrangements, Kenzans 劍山 are one of the main tools used in Japanese floral arrangement i.e. Ikebana. Coming in different sizes and shapes (circular, square, oval, crescent etc), these metal tools date back to the 19th century.
Pros: Kenzans are long lasting and can be re-used multiple times. You can create an arrangement even with a few stems when using this tool.
Cons: They are expensive and can be quite hard to clean out if debris get stuck between the needles. As the needles are sharp, take care when using them to prevent injury.
3. Tape Grids and Vase Grids
Now easily available are vase grids, made up of metal, silicone or plastic, are lids with holes that covers the top of the vase. If you do not have one at home, you can easily create one with anchor tape - this is a kind of florist tape that is water resistant.
Pros: If you are using a tape grid, you can easily change the size of the grid and cells according to the size of the vessel and the type of flowers you will be using.
Cons: For metal vase grids, they may be hard to conceal by leaves hence they may still be seen after the arrangement is completed. Changing water is slightly challenging for arrangements using tape grids as you will have to tip the glass over to pour out and refill the water through the tape.
4. Water tubes
Glass or plastic water tubes are a functional replacement for floral foam, commonly used in floral installations, flowers that require more hydration can be placed into tubes and then inserted into chicken wire. This method can also be used for extending flower stems that are broken.
Pros: Tubes are recyclable and are inexpensive, there are also different sizes of tubes for different stem thickness
Cons: Water tubes only hold a small amount of water so for displays that span a couple of days, make sure that water does not run out in the tubes.
There are also other methods of creating floral arrangement without floral foam, such as using moss, pebbles, aluminium wires and other types of ceramic / glass floral frogs etc. Unfortunately in Singapore and other parts of South East Asia where the tropical heat is unforgiving, many florists still rely on floral foam especially for weddings and event displays to ensure that the flowers are well hydrated and can last throughout the ceremony.