""Every flower is a soul blossoming in NatureEvery flower is a soul blossoming in Nature““

It is well said "Flowers always make people better, It is well said "Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.and medicine to the soul.

Flower arrangement is Flower arrangement is flourishing immensely flourishing immensely in the hospitality in the hospitality sector.sector.

Fresh flower Fresh flower arrangements have arrangements have become a must in become a must in hotels, as it adds on to hotels, as it adds on to the ambience of the the ambience of the placeplace..

Areas where flower Areas where flower arrangements are used in arrangements are used in Hotels:Hotels:

FoyersFoyers LoungesLounges RestaurantsRestaurants ReceptionReception BanquetsBanquets LobbyLobby VIP rooms & Suite VIP rooms & Suite

roomsrooms

Impact of Floral Impact of Floral Arrangements:-Arrangements:-

Enhancement of aesthetic Enhancement of aesthetic

appeal of the area.appeal of the area.

They add cheer, beauty & They add cheer, beauty & life to the environment.life to the environment.

They give a refreshing feel to They give a refreshing feel to the looker.the looker.

Guidelines for flower Guidelines for flower arrangements:arrangements:

Make a definite plan for any flower arrangement, Make a definite plan for any flower arrangement, based on the purpose, room area and location.based on the purpose, room area and location.

Select containers, flowers and foliage that express the Select containers, flowers and foliage that express the mood of the area.mood of the area.

Use flowers with stems of different sizes.Use flowers with stems of different sizes. Arrange the tallest stem first and then others.Arrange the tallest stem first and then others. Large flowers with bright, bold colours can be used in Large flowers with bright, bold colours can be used in

small in nos.small in nos. Avoid mixing fresh and artificial flowers.Avoid mixing fresh and artificial flowers. Avoid regular spacing.Avoid regular spacing. Distinctive flowers should usually be placed alone.Distinctive flowers should usually be placed alone.

Ingredients Required:-Ingredients Required:-

MechanicsMechanics

EquipmentsEquipments

ContainersContainers

BasesBases

AccessoriesAccessories

Plant materialPlant material

1.Mechanics:-1.Mechanics:-The items used to keep the flowers, foliage and The items used to keep the flowers, foliage and

stem in place within the container. These are not stem in place within the container. These are not visible.visible.

Some items are:Some items are:Floral foam (Oasis)Floral foam (Oasis)

Chicken wire (wire mesh)Chicken wire (wire mesh)

Pin Holders (Kenzan)Pin Holders (Kenzan)

Adhesive tapeAdhesive tape

Setting ClaySetting Clay

GlueGlue

Pebbles & marblesPebbles & marbles

2. Equipments:-2. Equipments:-Tools to ensure that a good Tools to ensure that a good

arrangement is made. These are:arrangement is made. These are:

BucketBucketFlorist ScissorsFlorist ScissorsMisterMisterFloral TapeFloral TapeWireWireKnifeKnife

3. Containers:-3. Containers:-

o Vase & JugsVase & Jugso BasketBasketo Bowls & TraysBowls & Trayso Wreath FramesWreath Frameso Candle CupsCandle Cupso Miscellaneous Miscellaneous

ObjectsObjects

4. Bases:-4. Bases:-Objects kept underneath the Objects kept underneath the

container to add beauty to the container to add beauty to the display or protect the surface.display or protect the surface.

Some of these can be:-Some of these can be:-Wood baseWood baseStone baseStone baseOriental baseOriental baseTree sectionTree sectionTable matsTable mats

5. Accessories:-5. Accessories:-

o Are non plant materials included in Are non plant materials included in arrangements. Their purpose is generally arrangements. Their purpose is generally decorative but could be functional at times.decorative but could be functional at times.

o Versatile accessories:Versatile accessories: Bronze lampsBronze lamps HatsHats Wooden shapesWooden shapes BeadsBeads CandlesCandles Carved objectsCarved objects Shells etc.Shells etc.

6. Plant Material:-6. Plant Material:-

FlowersFlowersTall StemsTall StemsBold LeavesBold LeavesFoliageFoliageDried plant Dried plant

materialmaterialArtificial plant Artificial plant

materialmaterial

Styles of Flower Styles of Flower ArrangementArrangement

o Triangular ShapeTriangular Shape

o Circular ShapeCircular Shape

o Crescent ShapeCrescent Shape

o Fan ShapeFan Shape

o Hogarth or ‘S’ ShapeHogarth or ‘S’ Shape

o IkebanaIkebana

Triangular Shape Triangular Shape ArrangementArrangement

Most common Most common arrangement made in arrangement made in the shape of a the shape of a triangle.triangle.

Commonly found on Commonly found on Reception counter, Reception counter, Buffet table, Side Buffet table, Side stations and GRE, stations and GRE, Lobby Manager’s Lobby Manager’s Desk.Desk.

Circular Shape ArrangementCircular Shape Arrangement

Circular design adds a pleasing Circular design adds a pleasing element. & aresatisfying to the element. & aresatisfying to the viewer's eye. It is loved by viewer's eye. It is loved by nature since majority of nature since majority of flowers lies in this shape. In flowers lies in this shape. In fact, its also easier to arrange fact, its also easier to arrange flowers in circular fashion. flowers in circular fashion.

This type of arrangement is This type of arrangement is laid on laid on conference tablesconference tables or or on on buffet tablesbuffet tables. They can be . They can be presented to presented to high class high class executivesexecutives or politicians on or politicians on different occasion. different occasion.

Crescent Shape Crescent Shape ArrangementArrangement

It is asymmetrical and It is asymmetrical and formal. It requires lot formal. It requires lot of skill and experience of skill and experience and are very eye and are very eye catching.catching.

It is kept in the It is kept in the lobby lobby of theof the hotelhotel. It is used . It is used as a as a focal pointfocal point to to catch the attention of catch the attention of the guest.the guest.

Fan Shape ArrangementFan Shape Arrangement

It is a low It is a low arrangement and it arrangement and it does not interfere does not interfere with conversation with conversation across the table. across the table.

Generally placed in Generally placed in the restaurant either the restaurant either in buffet or on dining in buffet or on dining table. Hotel rooms table. Hotel rooms also have this kind also have this kind of arrangement of arrangement

‘‘S’ Shape ArrangementS’ Shape Arrangement

This is very This is very graceful style of graceful style of arrangement. It is arrangement. It is easier to make easier to make when curved when curved branches are used. branches are used. Once 'S' shape is Once 'S' shape is made, flowers are made, flowers are filled at the center.filled at the center.

IkebanaIkebana means 'making flowers live' in Japanese. means 'making flowers live' in Japanese.

People in Japan use flowers to symbolize season. People in Japan use flowers to symbolize season. They represent ideal harmony between earthy and They represent ideal harmony between earthy and eternal life. In each arrangement there is an eternal life. In each arrangement there is an imaginary triangle tallest line represent heaven, imaginary triangle tallest line represent heaven, towards the heaven is man and the lowest line towards the heaven is man and the lowest line looking up to both is earth. looking up to both is earth.

This is been practiced This is been practiced for past 100 years. for past 100 years. The formal type of The formal type of flower arrangement flower arrangement is called is called SeikaSeika stylestyle. Floating type . Floating type of arrangement is of arrangement is called called UkibanaUkibana and basket type of and basket type of arrangement is arrangement is called called MorimanoMorimano..

Principles of floral Principles of floral arrangements:-arrangements:-

BalanceBalance Focal pointFocal point Emphasis/DominanceEmphasis/Dominance RhythmRhythm ContrastContrast Proportion Proportion ScaleScale TextureTexture

BALANCE means that the finished arrangement does not fall over or look as if it will fall over.

• Physical BalanceSymmetricalAsymmetrical

• Visual BalanceVisual Balance

FOCAL POINT FOCAL POINT is composed of some massive material such as a large flower, bright color or something that will immediately attract attention of the onlooker.

EMPHASIS or DOMINANCEEMPHASIS or DOMINANCE may be achieved through the use of a dominant color, size, shape or texture, or by using larger forms or stronger colors.

RHYTHMRHYTHM may be obtained through repetition of shapes, hues, line direction, etc.

Rhythm may also be achieved through a gradual change or progression in size, weight, texture, or color.

CONRASTCONRAST or difference, is achieved by placing opposite or unlike elements together so as to emphasize or accentuate their differences. Contrast stimulates interest.

PROPORTIONPROPORTION means the size of each means the size of each element ( container, base, plant material etc) element ( container, base, plant material etc) should result in a pleasing harmonious should result in a pleasing harmonious appearance.appearance.

TEXTURE TEXTURE : : Plant materials come in various Plant materials come in various textures, glossy, velvety, dull and so on.textures, glossy, velvety, dull and so on.

SCALE is size relationship between flower and flower or between flower and container. When variation of size is too great or too small, components are out of scale.

Placing Flower Placing Flower arrangements:arrangements:

EYE LEVEL: These can be prominently seen. EYE LEVEL: These can be prominently seen. Placed at heights from 18” to 4 feet.Placed at heights from 18” to 4 feet.

HIGH LEVEL: For anything placed well above HIGH LEVEL: For anything placed well above eye level. Flowers used must be long. Can also eye level. Flowers used must be long. Can also be suspended from the ceiling.be suspended from the ceiling.

LOW LEVEL: Flowers and vases must be large LOW LEVEL: Flowers and vases must be large and decorative.and decorative.

Common FlowersCommon Flowerso LiliesLilieso GerberasGerberaso TulipsTulipso GladioliGladiolio DahliasDahliaso ChrysanthemumsChrysanthemumso CarnationsCarnationso FreesiasFreesiaso OrchidsOrchidso Bird of ParadiseBird of Paradiseo CannaCanna

o HycinthsHycinthso IrisIriso CosmosCosmoso LotusLotuso MarigoldMarigoldo PetuniasPetuniaso AnthuriumAnthuriumo DaisiesDaisieso HibiscusHibiscuso DaffodilsDaffodilso TuberosesTuberoses

FOLIAGEFOLIAGE IvyIvyJerusalem SageJerusalem SageMountain LilyMountain Lily Iron barkIron barkButtercupsButtercupsCotton LavenderCotton LavenderCoral bellsCoral bellsPlantain lilyPlantain lilyGolden heartGolden heart

Variegated PrivetVariegated PrivetCoral FlowersCoral FlowersGolden PrivetGolden PrivetRubusRubusFernFernPalm LeavesPalm LeavesCopper beachCopper beachOleanderOleanderCaladiumCaladium

Care of Floral Care of Floral Arrangements:-Arrangements:- Never expose arrangements to direct Never expose arrangements to direct

draught or sunlight.draught or sunlight.Never put floral arrangements near bowl Never put floral arrangements near bowl

of fruits.of fruits.Spray Luke warm water from a mister to Spray Luke warm water from a mister to

keep flowers fresh.keep flowers fresh.Change water everyday.Change water everyday.Add listrene, ammonia, salt, sugar or Add listrene, ammonia, salt, sugar or

aspirin in small amounts to water to slow aspirin in small amounts to water to slow down bacterial growth.down bacterial growth.

Use clean containers.Use clean containers.

Never place a fresh flower arrangements where it will be Never place a fresh flower arrangements where it will be exposed to direct draughts from a fan or window.exposed to direct draughts from a fan or window.

Never store flowers near to fruits as they emit ethylene Never store flowers near to fruits as they emit ethylene gas causes wilting of flowers.gas causes wilting of flowers.

Prolong the freshness of arrangement with lukewarm Prolong the freshness of arrangement with lukewarm water from a mister.water from a mister.

Change- the water every day. NEVER USE CHILLED Change- the water every day. NEVER USE CHILLED WATER.WATER.

Listerine, ammonia, salt added in small amounts to slow Listerine, ammonia, salt added in small amounts to slow down bacterial growth.down bacterial growth.

Use clean containers for arrangements to prevent Use clean containers for arrangements to prevent premature fouling and bacterial growth.premature fouling and bacterial growth.

Every three days, re-cut the stems and add more Every three days, re-cut the stems and add more preservative.preservative.

Watering:Watering: The amount and frequency of watering The amount and frequency of watering depends on the king of plant, the weather, the type of depends on the king of plant, the weather, the type of heating in the room and so on.heating in the room and so on.

Potting & Re-potting:Potting & Re-potting: Use a light soil mix for potting Use a light soil mix for potting plants-a good mixture is made of equal quantities of leaf plants-a good mixture is made of equal quantities of leaf mould and a peaty soil containing plenty of fibre.mould and a peaty soil containing plenty of fibre.

Cleaning:Cleaning: Ferns, ivies, and other plants prized for their Ferns, ivies, and other plants prized for their green foliage require regular cleaning, so that the pores green foliage require regular cleaning, so that the pores do not become clogged with dust.do not become clogged with dust.

Feeding:Feeding: A good propriety plant food is the best means A good propriety plant food is the best means of giving the necessary foods to plants.of giving the necessary foods to plants.

DESINGED BY

Sunil KumarResearch Scholar/ Food Production FacultyInstitute of Hotel and Tourism Management,MAHARSHI DAYANAND UNIVERSITY, ROHTAKHaryana- 124001 INDIA Ph. No. 09996000499email:  skihm86@yahoo.com , balhara86@gmail.com  linkedin:- in.linkedin.com/in/ihmsunilkumarfacebook: www.facebook.com/ihmsunilkumar webpage: chefsunilkumar.tripod.com