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Flowers For Shabbos: Tips & Secrets to Perfect Flower Arranging at Home

By Sarah Lasry on Aug 26, 2011 in Flowers

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Hey KS Fans,

With Hurricane Irene looming in our near future, I am afraid that all our mutual efforts in our gardens will be for nil. Oh well till next summer, we should just all be safe!

But hurricane or no hurricane – there is no reason we should not have some fresh flowers gracing our shabbos table and sprucing up our rooms.

Two of the most frequent questions

I have been getting from all you guys on KS is :

1. Can I show how to make a beautiful arrangement using a wide mouth vase

2. Can I showcase gorgeous home-made arrangements using inexpensive flowers

that you pick up in your local supermarket.

Tip: For those of you who are not in the mood to venture out (no matter what the weather), you can also purchase a wide assortment of flowers online to make the perfect flower arrangement.

So for this weeks Flowers for Shabbos Post – That is exactly what I am going to do!

How to Arrange in A Wide Mouth Vase:

Started with Shoprite flowers total cost $24 for 2 vases

Step 1: Make a grid using basic tape

Step 2 Insert flowers into the grid - starting with the largest flowers and then filling in with the smaller flowers

Step 3: Make sure to fill in any gaps or holes

Viola! A stunning vase centerpiece for under $15

One More Look - Vase #2

Same Flowers - Another Look - Vase #3

Sarah’s Tips & Secrets For Perfect Flower Arranging

Another Option for a wide vase: 1. gather flowers into small bunches 2. Tape securely with flower tape or electrical tape 3. Cut stems to desired size 4. Place in Vase

Cutting Your Flowers & Make them Last :

1.Cut stem at an slant using a sharp pruning shears or scissors.

2. For Hydrangeas that need a lot of water - Make sure you slit the bottom of the stem by making an x with your knife and bang it on the table

– crushing slightly – helps water get in better

For all other flowers cut to the length of your preference and make sure to put into water immediately.

3. Every time you change your vases water – re-cut the stems at the end -will ensure that your flowers will last longer

4. Use the flower food packet if provided in your vases water – or you can add a few drops of dish washing soap

5. Make sure your water is always clean (it is the bacteria from the dirt in your vase that kills your flowers faster) -

change your water in the vase at least every other day.

6. Make sure when cutting flowers like Roses – you remove the leaves – leaves in water create bacteria –

only keep the leaves that will sit above your vases water level line

Arrangement Tips:

1. Place larger/longer and dominant flowers in the middle to anchor the vase.

2. Place smaller/shorter flowers near the outside.

3. Make sure to fill holes with flowers.

4. Keep your arrangement balanced by rotating every so often and checking for holes.

5. Add greenery or fillers at the end to fill gaps.

6. Use a variety of vases that vary in color, size, and shape .

Or stick to a monochromatic color palette

Have A Wonderful Shabbat – and for those of you who are going to be hit by the Hurricane this week -Stay Safe!

Sarah

About the Author

For the last 8 years Sarah Lasry has been the heart and soul of the successful and celebrated Tastebuds Gourmet Café & Flower Shop in Howell, NJ. Sarah opened and ran Tastebuds to much critical appraise for her unique approach to delicious, kosher gourmet cooking as well as her legendary parties, original style and artistic culinary flair. In 2006 Sarah wrote the acclaimed bestselling cookbook “THE DAIRY GOURMET” which revealed all the secret recipes of Tastebuds Café. With much anticipation from her many fans and fellow foodies, Sarah’s brand new cookbook “THE AT HOME GOURMET” just hit the stores with high praise and reviews. Sarah currently resides in Lakewood, NJ where she has recently left the restaurant business to concentrate on her passion for writing cookbooks and is hard at work as the Food and Home contributing editor for Binah Magazine and www. Kosherstreet.com.