Information Booklet by OASIS® Floral Products

2020

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT SMITHERS-OASIS........................................................................................................2 Sustainability Approach of the Smithers-Oasis Germany GmbH.........................3-6

OASIS® FRESH FLORAL FOAM.................................................................................................7 Production...................................................................................................................................8 Varieties........................................................................................................................................9 Black Floral Foam.............................................................................................................10-14 Colorful Floral Foam........................................................................................................15-16 Bases.....................................................................................................................................17-18 APPLICATION INFORMATION.................................................................................. .............19 Watering..............................................................................................................................20-21 Law of the water column / Drainage...............................................................................22 Watering of large Floral Foam products.........................................................................23 Explanation videos.................................................................................................................24 Filling of vessels.......................................................................................................................25 Car Decoration Holder..........................................................................................................26 Bridal Bouquet Holder....................................................................................................27-28 Cutting correctly......................................................................................................................29 Important warnings...............................................................................................................30 .

ADVANTAGES OF ARRANGEMENTS..................................................................................31 Advantages for the florist and the customer................................................................32 Design options.........................................................................................................................33 Material input..........................................................................................................................34 Working time............................................................................................................................35 Tips for the creation of floral arrangements.................................................................36 Black Floral Foam.............................................................................................................37-38 CUT FLOWER CARE.......................................................................................................................39 Why is flower food so important?....................................................................................40 What is part of the proper care?................................................................................... ...41 Floralife® 5 Steps to Fresh.............................................................................................41-42 Which costs result from flower food?.............................................................................43 Dosing of flower food.......................................................................... .................................44 Tips for use............................................................... ................................................................45 .

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ABOUT SMITHERS-OASIS When V.L. Smithers developed the first water-absorbing foam in 1954, something quite revolutionary happened. Not for everyone, but for florists. They were finally able to rewater Fresh Flower workpieces and prolong their flowers‘ lives. In 2007, the Smithers-Oasis Company acquired Floralife, Inc., which is headquartered in Walterboro, South Carolina, USA. At the time of the acquisition, the company Floralife, founded in 1938, had already had 75 years of experience in the fields of flower care and treatment. Floralife serves the needs of customers from all along the entire chain of distribution – from breeders to end consumers. Therefore, they offer products from a large variety of fields: pretreatment of fresh flowers, products for improving the water absorption during transport and storage and products for the supply of nutrients. Smithers-Oasis has been active in Germany since 1969. You can find Smithers-Oasis Germany GmbH in Grünstadt, Rhineland-Palatinate. Apart from Germany, the majority of European countries receives its supplies from this location. These countries include Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and others. Our company sets great value upon supporting and promoting the floricultural sector. We also strongly care about youth development. For that reason, it is an absolute must for us to sponsor Colleges and Master Schools of Floristics, to attend Specialist Events and to cooperate with nonprofit Research Institutes of Floriculture. Moreover, we closely cooperate with our customers when developing products. This makes it possible for us to meet all of our customers‘ needs. With the help of florists, there are now many training programs for florists to familiarize them with new possibilities in our everchanging society. By now, Smithers-Oasis assists florists all over the world. We are continuously creating innovative and creative high-quality OASIS® FLORAL PRODUCTS to keep on simplifying your everyday work.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability Approach of the SmithersOasis Germany GmbH What we have done so far, what we are doing right now and what we are planning to do We are committed to the concept of CSR in order to implement a sustainable corporate management. This includes the voluntary incorporation of social, ecological and economic sustainability aspects. WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR SoCial - People: It is particularly important to us to ensure the well-being of our employees. For example, employees of our company have the opportunity to use the local swimming pool free of charge. Happy family celebrations serve as appreciation for the work of all employees. We also support the floristry industry by working with floristry schools and florists (in cooperation with the FDF) and by sponsoring them. With the help of children’s projects, we teach even the youngest children how to handle flowers. The Kids Days we organise not only brings joy to the participating children, but also to us each time. ECOLOGICAL - PlaneT: Some of our environmentally friendly actions include switching from white lacquered to untreated brown cartons. We have also switched our lighting system to LED with motion sensor to save energy. In 2018, we also received the Grüner Punkt environmental certificate for saving energy, resources and emissions by recycling used packaging. The contribution of avoided CO2 is roughly equivalent to the amount of CO2 produced when 1369 people travel by train from Mainz to Magdeburg and back (determined via ecopassenger.org).

5 SUSTAINABILITY Our product management team is also continuously working to make our products even more environmentally friendly. Some of our products which we are particularly proud of: • OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Planting Bowls – made of 100% recycled paper, compostable and biodegradable • OASIS® BIOLIT® Series – base made of 100% pressed recycled paper • Various products contain a paper compound base. ITHERS-OA SIS SM

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economical - Prosperity We support the floristry industry to ensure future business for every industry partner. In addition, our marketing approaches are designed to help secure the future of the company and the industry. What we are currently working on Ongoing projects: • Development of new products with multiple use function • Creation of an energy plan: How can you save energy and how can you improve the way every employee/ our company handles energy resources? • Educating our employees/customers about sustainability and what it means for us • Every new idea and every new product is already tested during the planning phase under the aspects of sustainability. • Launching an online column to inform about sustainability and what we are doing to be in tune with a sustainable society

SUSTAINABILITY

Plans we have for the future Our main goals: • We want to support the floristry industry to meet sustainable goals. • Honest evaluation and possibly change of products • Reduction of plastic and waste in general • Being open to the best practices of other Smithers-Oasis units or other companies in order to learn and improve continuously • Always thinking about our people, introducing further health-promoting approaches and appreciating the work of all • Sustainability is not a response to a trend, it is an adjusted fundamental approach • Internalisation and dissemination of our guiding principle – REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE RESPECT Frequently asked questions about OASIS® Floral Foam 1. Do I have to wear gloves when using OASIS® Floral Foam? No. OASIS® Floral Foam is not considered a skin irritant. 2. Does OASIS® Floral Foam affect the air in my shop? No. Storage or use of OASIS® Floral Foam does not require additional ventilation in your shop. 3. Should I avoid storing OASIS® Floral Foam in my shop? No. Storage of OASIS® Floral Foam does not present any risks, and there are no special requirements for storage. 4. Is OASIS® Floral Foam dangerous? No. OASIS® Floral Foam is safe and not considered a health or physical hazard based on GHS Standards. OASIS® Floral Foam is an article, which is generally defined as a manufactured item that does not release or result in exposure to a hazardous chemical under normal conditions of use. 5. How should I dispose of OASIS® Floral Foam? Consumers may reuse their floral foam for at-home designs. When you are ready to dispose of the floral foam, dispose of it in accordance with your local regulations.

We are always happy to receive new ideas and suggestions on the subject of sustainability. You are welcome to contact us at marketinggermany@smithersoasis.com

FRESH floral FOAM

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION METHODS There are two different production methods for manufacturing Floral Foam: Block mould foaming In this process, the raw materials are mixed in portions (discontinuously) and then poured into a mould in which they foam automatically. The foaming process is spatially restricted by the large side walls of the mould. The higher the side walls, the more likely it is that sponginess can occur in the area of the side walls. Continuous foaming In continuous foaming, the raw materials are permanently mixed and placed on a continuously running belt. Compared to block foaming, this permanent process has the advantage that the foam can expand more freely and evenly.

OASIS® FLORAL FOAM IS PRODUCED USING CONTINUOUS FOAMING

INFO

QUALITY CONTROL A particularly important area in the entire production process at Smithers-Oasis is quality control. This includes:

1. The inspection of incoming raw materials before the production process 2. Quality control during the production process 3. Quality control 24 hours after the production process 4. The Flower Life Test

INFO

DUE TO THE COMPLEX, EXTENSIVE AND PERMANENT QUALITY CONTROLS, THE NAME OASIS® FLORAL PRODUCTS STANDS FOR CONSTANT HIGH QUALITY

VARIETIES / LEVELS OF FIRMNESS

Floral Foam Varieties Our classic OASIS® Floral Foam is available in different levels of firmness, in order to provide you with the right foam foundation for every occasion. OASIS® PREMIUM Floral Foam • particularly firm • for heavy flowers with thick and hard stems • great for oversized flower arrangements OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam • universal use • suitable for nearly all popular flowers and bouquets OASIS® INSTANT Floral Foam • universal use • suitable for nearly all popular flowers and bouquets • becomes saturated very fast OASIS® STANDARD Floral Foam • less firm than our OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam • especially suitable for flowers with very thin stems or flowers with thick but soft stems • for small and compact flower arrangements

NEW: OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Floral Foam • same great quality as the traditional OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam in green • universal use • suitable for nearly all popular flowers and bouquets • „design element“

OASIS® BLACK SERIES

NEW: OASIS® BLACK SerieS - BLACK FLORAL FOAM Let your imagination run wild and create your own unique designs with our OASIS® BLACK Series. Our Black Floral Foam is a true allrounder. Decorate black foam in a classical way or use it as a design element by decorating it sparingly – “it’s the designer’s choice”. Our high-quality Black Floral Foam opens up new design possibilities and offers a solid base for extraordinary flower arrangements. There are even some economic benefits to using Black Floral Foam. You can save up to 25% of materials. Why? – When working with black foam, you do not have to cover the foam completely for your arrangements to look embellished and complete. Break through the limits of your creativity and create modern, contemporary designs. OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Products The Black Floral Foam of our OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Series is equipped with the same great quality as the traditional OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam in green: •universal use •suitable for nearly all flowers •minimal drainage

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Design Ring

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Maxlife Brick

•stylish design element •fast water absorption •optimal retention force

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Sphere

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Series Its recycling cardboard base is made of 100% pressed recycled paper. These products can be used for table and room decoration, as well as for Funeral arrangements. In order to protect sensitive surfaces, we recommend to place a layer of some kind of waterproof material underneath the cardboard base.

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Ring

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Wreath

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Heart

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Cross

11 OASIS® BLACK SERIES OASIS® BLACK Table Deco Series Even our popular Table Decos are now available in a trendy black. Black Floral Foam in a black bowl is the ideal base for modern, trendy arrangements with up-to-date designs. It is possible to decorate sideways. The plastic base serves as a large water reservoir and enables you to do preliminary work and to rewater. In order to ensure a sufficient water supply to the flowers, their stems should be inserted as deeply as possible into the foam. At the same time, the water level in the plastic bowl should be as high as possible.

OASIS® BLACK Junior Complet Small but effective! Working with the color black continues to be an ongoing trend. Now that there is a black version of our popular bowl OASIS® Junior Complet, you are able to use black foam for small flower arrangements too. Black Floral Foam makes it possible to create unique designs with only a few floral materials as this foam does not have to be covered completely. This affordable arrangement bowl saves a lot of time because the Floral Foam is already cut to size. Because of the large water reservoir, any preliminary work is easily possible.

OASIS® BLACK SERIES

OASIS® BLACK NAYLOR BASE® Series Our OASIS® BLACK NAYLOR BASE® Series is equipped with the same great quality as our green OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam. Its plastic base serves as a water reservoir and makes it possible to rewater work pieces. Therefore, products of this series are especially convenient for flower arrangements which are presented over a longer period of time (e.g. Advent wreaths). Bowl is equipped with anti-slide knobs, which prevent unintentional sliding and scratches.

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Series Products of our OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Series are made of particularly hard polyurethane foam. Moreover, they contain a top-quality plastic bowl, which serves as solid base for your work pieces. The higher stability of the foam offers great advantages, especially for long-stemmed workpieces, and allows new creative possibilities. The special characteristics of this type of Floral Foam are: • colorfast • high retention force • stylish design element • ph-neutral (foam needs to be watered in combination with storage solution) •convenient for arrangements with fresh, silk or dry flowers

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Cylinder

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Heart

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Ring

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Raquette

OASIS® EYCHENNE® ALL BLACK Square

The WATER RETENTION FORCE OF THE OASIS® EYCHENNE ALL BLACK® SERIES is LOWER THAN THAT OF THE GREEN FLORAL FOAM. it is therefore recommended to water the completed arrangement regularly.

INFO

13 OASIS® BLACK SERIES

OASIS® BLACK BIOLIT® Cross

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Design Ring

OASIS® BLACK NAYLOR BASE® Ring

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Maxlife Brick

OASIS® BLACK SERIES

OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Sphere

15 OASIS® RAINBOW® SerieS OASIS® RAINBOW® Foam SerieS Colorful Floral Foam opens up new perspectives in the floristry sector: Floral Foam is changing from a purely functional element to a design element. This foam is particularly strong and perfectly suitable for all transparent containers. It can be used for both fresh and dried flower arrangements. For an optimal result, please take note of the following instructions: • •

• • •

Do not water OASIS® RAINBOW® Foam together with conventional Fresh Floral Foam, as it may absorb the abrasion of the green foam and become soiled. Its water absorption and retention force is slightly lower than that of conventional foam. For this reason, when using flat containers, the flower stems should be inserted up to the water level in order to supply them with water optimally. It is recommended to water the flower arrangement regularly. Due to its particularly high firmness, the foam should be „pre-drilled“ when using delicate flowers with thin or soft stems. This prevents the stems from being damaged when they are inserted. To ensure the correct pH value, always use flower food (Floralife®). OASIS® RAINBOW® Foam is colorfast. In watered condition, its color appears a little darker and therefore more intensive. Light dirt or uneven cut edges can simply be „sanded off“ with foam of the same color when dry.

OASIS® RAINBOW® Brick

OASIS® RAINBOW® Sphere

OASIS® RAINBOW® Cylinder

OASIS® RAINBOW® Designer Plate

OASIS® RAINBOW® SeriES

17 BASES Our OASIS® Floral Foam products are not only available in different varieties, shapes and sizes, but also in combination with different bases:

OASIS® Floral Foam products with plastic base/container • • •

stable side edge resilient and durable plastic base supports the foam securely the OASIS® NAYLORBASE® series is also equipped with anti-slide knobs, which prevent unintentional sliding and scratches

• plastic base serves as a water reservoir and thus makes potential preliminary work possible

INFO

IF THE WALLS OF THE PLASTIC BASE ARE LOW, THE FLOWER STEMS SHOULD BE INSERTED AS DEEPLY AS POSSIBLE INTO THE FOAM TO ENSURE A MORE SECURE WATER SUPPLY. AT THE SAME TIME, THE WATER SUPPLY IN THE PLASTIC CONTAINER SHOULD BE FILLED UP AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE.

OASIS® FOAM FRAMES® rigid foam base • • • •

water-resistant and stable provides flower arrangement with the necessary support for arrangements which do not require an edge sleek side panel can easily be covered with greens, deco material or color spray

OASIS® ECObase® rigid foam base • • •

• • •

water-resistant and stable provides necessary support when working with large-sized products (wreaths starting at Ø 52 cm) and Raquettes, a wooden core inside of the rigid foam base ensures an even greater stability inexpensive alternative to plastic suitable for circular flower designs can easily be covered with plants and greens

BASES OASIS® Floral Foam products with polystyrene base • • • •

water-resistant provides necessary support sleek edge can easily be covered with greens or any other decoration material perfect for designing floral accessories inexpensively

OASIS® BIOLINE® and bioFLOR wooden base • • • •

ecofriendly and extra stable natural wood base particularly suited for heavy and overhanging flower arrangements base provides stability and steadfastness, especially during transportation bioFLOR base consists of rigid foam and natural wood

OASIS® BIOLIT® products with recycling cardboard base • • • •

ecofriendly base made of 100% recycled paper base with edge serves as a water reservoir and can be concealed with plants, decoration material or color spray OASIS® BIOLIT® products are ideal for cemetary arrangements In order to protect sensitive surfaces, we recommend to place a layer of some kind of waterproof material underneath the cardboard base.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

WATERING

WATERING OF FRESH FLORAL FOAM Correct way of watering To water Fresh Floral Foam, it is advised to use a container filled with water, which is large enough and corresponds to the foam’s shape. Be sure to place the foam on top of the water without pushing down or twisting it, so it can soak thoroughly. This way, the air inside the foam can escape and water takes its place. As a result, the water spreads evenly in the Floral Foam, preventing any dry spots. Therefore, the flower arrangement is being watered properly.

Wrong way of watering If Fresh Floral Foam is pushed under water, a dry core will remain. This happens because the water is not able to reach the inner cells of the foam since its outer cells are being sealed with water. The sealed outer cells do not allow the air inside the foam to leak. Consequently, the Floral Foam cannot supply the flowers with enough water and they will quickly wilt. An OASIS® Floral Foam brick absorbs 98% of its own volume of water and therefore weighs almost 2 kg.

Watered Floral Foam

Watered Floral Foam The suction time of an OASIS® Fresh Floral Foam Brick is only approx. 90 seconds. It is therefore not necessary to water Floral Foam in advance! It is best to cut the Foam while it’s dry, then water it and then fasten it in the container. This way, there are no residues. Watered Floral Foam should not be kept in the water for too long, as the germs in tap water can multiply and later impair the durability of the flowers. In addition, already soaked Floral Foam should not be dried for storage, as it is difficult for the foam to become fully saturated again afterwards. It also does not absorb as much water anymore and cannot hold it optimally. Furthermore, bacteria have also formed in the meantime.

ALREADY USED FLORAL FOAM SHOULD NOT BE USED AGAIN. THE FLOWER STEMS CAUSE THE BACTERIA IN THE FOAM TO MULTIPLY AFTER A FEW DAYS. THESE REDUCE THE SHELF LIFE OF FRESHLY CUT FLOWERS BY APPROX. 50%!

INFO

Law of the water column

THE LAW OF THE WATER COLUMN When working with designs which require stacking multiple bricks on top of each other, the following things should be considered: The high pressure of the water column forces the water inside the bricks to stream downwards. As a result, drainage occurs at the top bricks, which flows towards the lower bricks. Therefore, the excess water leads to leakage. However, it is possible to minimize that unpleasant effect by placing a plastic film or a thin layer of Dry Floral Foam between every single brick. In doing so, the water column is interrupted and it is ensured that the upper bricks, as well as the lower ones, are storing enough water. Several OASIS® Floral Foam products, especially large ones, contain “cutting lines“ (narrow notches) with the purpose of interrupting the water column and thus minimizing the drainage! Water displacement: When flowers are placed in the watered foam, water leaks out. This is not a drainage process. Only the amount of water that corresponds to the volume of the inserted stems will leak out.

INFO

Watering large Floral Foam Products

Watering large Floral Foam Products For large Floral Foam products, the conventional watering method will hardly be used.

A mortar mixing tub (available in DIY stores) or a standard “underbed drawer” is the best solution for watering such large products (e.g. OASIS® BIOLINE® titanium heart, 75 x 73 x 5.5 cm). It should be cleaned with Floralife® Cleaner and the water level in the tub should be as high as possible. If it is not possible to place the product with the foam side completely flat on the water, water it by holding it vertically and (For the heart: with the tip of the heart first) slowly dip it into the tub until the lower half of the product has been soaked with water. Then turn the product over to water the upper half in the same way.

A long balcony box is the ideal watering vessel for large rings or wreaths. Water the ring or wreath by placing it upright in the balcony box. As soon as the part of the product standing in the water has been soaked with water, turn the ring or wreath to water the next part. Continue until the ring/wreath is completely watered.

Evi‘s Insider - VIDEOS WITH Evelyn GerulL

We regularly upload informative videos about various topics on our OASIS® Floral Products Youtube channel. Evi shares her know-how in short explanatory videos and always has a lot of tips & tricks at hand. From the correct cutting of flower stems to the correct attachment of the OASIS® car decoration holders, Evi is here to answer your questions. We are always happy to receive your questions. Please contact us at marketinggermany@smithersoasis.com

FILLING OF VESSELS

FILLING VESSELS Correct way of filling vessels: Due to its fine cell structure, OASIS® Floral Foam is pressure-sensitive. You can carefully press the foam into the container using the palm of your hand. This way, the pressure is evenly distributed and the cell structure is not destroyed. Therefore, the water remains inside the cells.

Wrong way of filling vessels: Do not use your fingers to press down the foam, as this will destroy the fine cell structures in the foam. This could cause the water to be pressed out of the cells and thus the flowers would not be optimally supplied.

OASIS® CAR DECORATION HOLDERS are available in different shapes and versions. For some products (e.g. OASIS® Double Auto Ring, Auto Heart, Auto-Corso, Auto Rondella) the vacuum suction cups are already integrated and firmly anchored to the Floral Foam base. For other products (e.g.: OASIS® ECObase® Heart with set-up device) the suction cups are included and can quickly and easily be attached to the Floral Foam base. All of them provide a secure hold when the following things are considered: •

The suction cup and the spot, in which the arrangement is going to be placed, have to be clean, dry and free from grease. Even a recently polished car surface can decrease the vacuum suction cup‘s holding force. In that case, you are supposed to carefully remove the polish in the affected spot with some warm water, dish detergent and a lintfree (leather) cloth.

•

After completing the flower arrangement, thoroughly clean the suction cup once again. Dirt or dust underneath the vacuum cup can cause it to rub into the top layers of the paint on an engine bonnet. As a result, an imprint may be left behind. (This can be removed by any car repair shop, but causes trouble!)

CAR DECORATION HOLDERS 26 Products with integrated suction cups: • Attaching: Place the completed product on the bonnet and activate the vacuum cup by pulling the two handles outwards at the same time. • Removing: By simultaneously pressing the handles of the vacuum cup inwards, the connection to the base is automatically released. If the suction cup does not release immediately, use your fingertip to slightly lift the cup at the edge and allow air to flow into the vacuum.

OASIS® ECObase® Products: •

•

Attaching: First press the supplied vacuum cups into the sensors in the bottom of the product until they snap into place.The round thickening at the upper end of the suction cup ensures that it does not detach from the Floral Foam base. Place the finished arrangement on the bonnet. Removing: Use your fingertip to slightly lift the suction cup‘s edge. This allows air to flow into the vacuum and the cup detaches from the base.

Car Fix Foil protects sensitive surfaces, such as car paint. It is transparent and self-adhesive and can be removed without leaving any residue.

INFO

BRIDAL BOUQUET HOLDER

OASIS® BRIDAL BOUQUET HOLDER The relatively small base of a bridal bouquet holder can easily hold 30 to 40 flower stems if the following things are considered: • • •

Cut all stems at a 45° angle Insert the stems deep enough into the holder It is very important to anchor the materials that are used as suspended decoration: Wire the materials and pass the wire through the Floral Foam when you decorate it. On the other side, put the wire‘s end back into the bridal bouquet holder.

A so-called „machine-gun effect“ is created when the bouquet holder is clamped into the working stand in a skewed position but it is then decorated in a vertically suspended way, at a right angle to the handle. So if the bride holds the bouquet very upright in the excitement and does not tilt it forward diagonally, the flowers „shoot“ horizontally forward. For this reason, the „downflowing/suspended“ part of the bouquet should be decorated at a sharp angle to the handle, or an OASIS® Ladynette foam holder (with angled handle) should be used. Attention: the position of the center of gravity is on top of the holder!

REWATERING BRIDAL BOUQUET HOLDERS

Rewatering OASIS® Bridal Bouquet Holders The OASIS® Lady Plus and the ELEGANT® bridal bouquet holders offer a special feature: Bridal bouquets can be made 2 days before the wedding, as they can be rewatered through a removable lower handle end. After decorating, twist off the lower half of the handle and place the bouquet in a container with fresh water. The Floral Foam will now automatically absorb the water consumed by the flowers. Therefore the bouquet stays perfectly fresh. Spray the finished bridal bouquet with Floralife® Finishing Touch Spray. It prevents evaporation and thus ensures long-lasting freshness. Always keep a sufficiently large distance (approx. 30 cm) AND do not store directly in the cooler after spraying, otherwise stains may appear on the petals.

INFO

Cutting Flowers Correctly

Cutting flower stems In order to ensure that the flowers in the Floral Foam stay fresh for a long time, a correct way of cutting is absolutely necessary. Correct way of cutting flower stems The blade of the knife or scissors should be sharp and clean. The ideal cutting angle is 45°. That way. the stems are not crushed, so an optimal water supply is guaranteed. Moreover, the Floral Foam is divided and not compressed, so it can hold the stems optimally. This makes the insertion of the flower stems into the foam a lot easier. Make sure that the stem is cut through completely (in diameter).

Incorrect way of cutting flower stems With a straight cut surface, the Floral Foam is compressed and thus unstable. It can no longer hold the flowers and the water absorption is not optimal. An extremely long cut does not mean that the flowers can absorb more water. However, it offers a large surface area for bacteria to attack.

If the stem is not completely cut through (in diameter) at the first cut, optimum water absorption is not guaranteed. The water absorption pathways are usually located in the outer skin of the flower stems and not in the interior!

IMPORTANT WARNINGS

IMPORTANT WARNINGS WHEN USING CERTAIN PRODUCTS Smithers-Oasis Germany GmbH assumes no liability for the improper handling of products. Please pay special attention to the following information. Products equipped with a magnet (e.g. Corsage Magnets) • Do not carry or store near medical equipment! Cardiac pacemakers, insulin pumps, hearing aids, etc. can be limited in their function or become completely ineffective! • Do not carry or store near cards with magnetic stripes! The function of credit cards, EC cards, telephone cards etc. can be destroyed! Be sure to inform your customer of the dangerous situations! The customer needs to confirm in writing that he has received the information.

INFO

Products with self-adhesive pad (e.g. OASIS® Powerstick-Corso Floral Foam Holder) • Do not stick to car paint parts! The adhesive pad is not suitable for gluing onto car paint! It cannot be removed without the danger of damaging the car paint. • Be careful when attaching the products to church pews! The varnish on very old, antique pews is often especially sensitive. There is a danger that the adhesive pad cannot be removed without leaving a residue on the surface of the bench. Car Decoration Holders (e.g. OASIS® Double Auto Ring) It can happen that a customer orders a Car Decoration, but then wants to put it on the car himself (e.g. because the wedding takes place in another city). Improper handling can cause damage to the car! In this case, inform the customer that the attachment of the Car Decoration is at the customer’s own risk! Furthermore it is recommended not to drive faster than 50 km/h.

A DVA N TAG ES OF ARRANGEMENTS

advantages 32 advantages of arrangements A customer always wants to get the most out of his money. Based on experience, the most important thing for the customer is not the complex floristic design, but first of all the relation between price and size and/or originality of the work piece. Especially in times of high-priced materials (cut flowers), a flower arrangement has significant advantages compared to a bouquet. Advantages for the florist: • Arrangements offer easier and more creative possibilities • lower material costs • less work time, arrangements with OASIS® Fresh Floral Foam can easily be prepared beforehand • continuous water supply and maximum flower durability → REDUCTION OF COSTS Advantages for the customer: • The constant water supply makes it possible for flower arrangements to arrive fresh at home or at the recipient‘s home even after a long transport route • A flower arrangement is uncomplicated, because the initial care and the tiresome search for a suitable vase is no longer necessary • Due to its „uniqueness“, a flower arrangement often achieves a greater effect on the recipient than a bouquet • The durability of flowers is still the most important decision-making criterion for consumers when buying flowers. Flower arrangements with OASIS® Flower Foam provide maximum flower durability and therefore increase the purchasing incentive

ADVANTAGE: DESIGN

1. Easier and more design options Playing with shapes is the latest design trend and offers the possibility to distinguish yourself from mass suppliers. With the help of OASIS® Floral Foam Bases (such as: hearts, cylinders, rings, spheres, cones, etc.), as well as an efficient working method and controlled input of materials, unusual workpieces can be created at reasonable cost.

ADVANTAGE: MATERIAL INPUT

2. Lower Material Input Despite lower and cheaper material input, flower arrangements can achieve a greater effect and higher value than bouquets if the following things are taken into account: • • • • •

Flowers with broken stems can be used and do not have to be thrown away Use few large-leaved flowers selectively Cover the base with large shapes or inexpensive greens Set value-adding accents Use effective colors and contrasts

Consider the cost factor „vessel“ by: • unfashionable vessels can be covered with decorative fabric or decorated with paint spray • the vessel can be replaced by a creative design • inexpensive vessels can be slightly refined

ADVANTAGE: WORKING TIME

3. Reduced Working Time Arrangements are, technically speaking, faster and easier to make than bouquets! As they are made with less floral material, the working time is reduced automatically. The use of semi-finished products also reduces working time, as it increases productivity (more workpieces per hour). The production of small series reduces the working time per flower arrangement. Only one basic design idea is necessary, which can be worked out in several variations. The time saving lies in the automation of the steps when making the „framework“ and in the fact that not every piece has to be created from scratch. The division into individual work steps when producing several flower arrangements with a similar look saves a lot of time:

Step 1: Covering/shaping the base with greens/tendrils Step 2: Positioning the main flowers Step 3: Filling the gaps with flowers of smaller importance Step 4: Adding accessories (such as wire) where applicable

ADVANTAGE: Tips

Special Tips Quick changes and refinements with accessories are possible: With theme-based accessories, a flower arrangement can quickly be changed to suit a particular occasion. For example, a birthday arrangement can quickly become a floral Thank You. Many commercially available accessories such as pearls or apples, etc. are only equipped with a short wire, which would have to be extended in order to be used in the bouquet. For flower arrangements, an extension is not necessary. By exchanging single flowers, the arrangement can quickly be adapted to individual customer wishes. Short demonstration: For example, the customer would have preferred a yellow flower in the flower arrangement instead of a red flower...

ADVANTAGES: BLACK FLORAL FOAM

Advantages of Black Floral Foam -The OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Series The dark color of the OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Floral Foam has several advantages: Creative advantages: Color effect: The dark base increases the color effect of the flowers used. Particularly bright colors become more radiant and shades such as pink, yellow or orange shine more intensely. Depth effect: Overall, the workpiece gains a greater optical depth, it appears more plastic and intense. Extended design scope: Due to the changed optical effect, Black Foam can be used for both traditional and experimental designs. The intentional visibility of Floral Foam sections as part of the design results in a modern, design-oriented or graphic effect.

INFO

The ideal combination AS table DECORATION and as a gift: OASIS® BLACK IDEAL Maxlife bricks and glass containers! The BLACK FOAM is also not recog nizable as Floral Foam here. It looks noble and can remain uncovered, so that you can avoid the time-consuming filling with granulate, wrapping with leaves or anything SIMILAR. Materials and time are saved in this way.

ADVANTAGES: BLACK FLORAL FOAM

General instructions for use: • • •

The rich black hue of the Black Foam develops during watering. If the foam is to remain visible, make sure not to damage the Floral Foam part. OASIS® BLACK IDEAl Floral Foam can be used just like normal (green) OASIS® IDEAL Floral Foam. Both types of foam are identical and differ only in color. The color of the Black Floral Foam is also waterproof and does not leak when it is watered.

Cut Flower Care

Cut Flower Care Why is cut flower care so important? Cut flowers are perishable goods. Their life depends to a large extent on how they are treated. Whether as a bouquet or in a flower arrangement – cut flowers need care! The better the care, the longer a cut flower can last. Research has shown that when a customer buys a bouquet, it is the durability that is most important. Only a shelf life of 7 days minimum makes the purchase of a bouquet seem worthwhile. What is part of the right care? Cleanliness in the work area Knives, scissors and vessels should always be clean and preferably disinfected. Dirty tools and containers promote the growth of bacteria and cause flowers to wilt more quickly! Temperature Low temperatures slow down the metabolism. Therefore, most flowers should be stored at 1°-3°C.

INFO

Tropical species such as anthyrium, heliconia, strelitzien and orchids are the exception, they are sensitive to cold. The ideal temperature for the storage of tropical species is 13°-16°C.

Humidity High humidity reduces water loss. The relative humidity in the flower cooler should be between 75% and 85%. Quality of the water Generally, tap water has a pH value between 6 and 9. The optimum pH value for cut flowers is 3 to 5, as there is hardly any formation of impurities in this environment. Cutting of flower stems The correct cutting of flower stems is immensely important (see page 26!) Use of Floralife®Products (Floralife®„5 Steps of Fresh“) (see pages 37 ff.)

Floralife 5 STEPS OF FRESH

3 4

5 STEPS OF FRESH

for a longer flower life

SANITIZE

Clean, disinfect and deodorize work surfaces, cutting tools and buckets to help maximize flower quality and vase life.

ENERGY BOOST

Jump-start flowers by unclogging stem cells and improving flower food uptake.

HYDRATE

Provide the appropriate amount of nutrients for flower development while increasing freshness and quality.

PROTECT

Refresh, hydrate and protect flowers with a laststep finishing spray to extend the enjoyment of receiving flowers.

CUSTOMER CARE

Educate customers to enjoy their flowers longer with the addition of a professional flower food take-home sachet.

Floralife® 5 STEPS OF FRESH

Floralife® Cleaner

Regular cleaning of buckets, cool cells, knives, scissors, work surfaces and all vases with FloraLife® Cleaner for the presentation of goods in the shop are basic requirements for a long vase life.

Floralife® Quick Dip 100

Give dry transported flowers a jumpstart by treating the stem ends with FloraLife® Quick Dip. A brief immersion (2-3 sec) is already sufficient to ensure a maxiumum uptake for water and nutrients. With FloraLife® Quick Dip, cut flowers can be revitalized and become full of freshness again.

Floralife® Express Clear Ultra 200

From the beginning, providing all essential nutrients is crucial, even when presented in the showroom. FloraLife® ULTRA 200 Clear is highly concentrated. Only 1 liter of FloraLife® ULTRA 200 Clear is sufficient for 200 liters of water. An exact dosing is extremely important.

Floralife® Finishing Touch

FloraLife® Finishing Touch doesn’t only protect the flowers and reduces evaporation. It also gives the bouquet a fresh and brilliant look. However achieving this effect by spraying the flowers with water should be avoided, as this may cause mold (Botrytis).

Floralife® Express Universal 300

The addition of FloraLife® Flower Food should be continued at home by the customer. Providing FloraLife® Flower Food sachets to the customers is necessary at all time. At each sales talk, you should inform the customer about the proper dosage.

InGREDIENTS OF FLOWER FOOD

What is FloraLife® Flower Food made of? FloraLife®Clear Flower Food consists of: • •

sugar source for nutrition acidifier to lower the pH value of the water

What does FloraLife® Flower Food do? FloraLife®Clear Flower Food: • helps to lower the pH value of the water • optimizes and extends the vase life of cut flowers • reduces the fading of blossoms • prevents hanging heads and leaves • delays wilting • enhances the opening, color, fragrance and size of the blossom • makes it unnecessary to change the vase water daily • can help to reduce the waste of flowers in your shop

costs of cut flower food

What are the costs of cut flower food? Low costs – big impact: As the calculation examples below show, the cost of Floralife® Clear Cut Flower Food is in most cases less than 1% of the total material cost per workpiece. (Floral materials, foam, accessories). A satisfied customer is priceless!!! Summer bouquet UVP Total material costs (plus working time) 28,00 € Floral materials 27,87 € Percentage of Floralife® Clear Cut Flower Food 0,13 €

Flower Wreath Present UVP Total material costs (plus working time) 12,20 € Floral materials + accessories 10,10 € OASIS® ECObase® Ring 2,00 € Percentage of Floralife® Clear 200 Cut Flower Food 0,10 €

Dosage of Cut Flower Food

Dosage of Cut Flower Food A test carried out with “royalty roses” and “samantha roses” shows what effect incorrect dosage can have. The roses were placed in different dosed solutions, the table below shows the result.

Vase life in days

Dosage of Floralife® Cut Flower Food 2,5 g/ Liter

= one quarter of the recommended dosage (25 %)

5,1

0 g / Liter

= water without Cut Flower Food (0%)

6,4

5 g / Liter

= half of the recommended dosage (50 %)

6,5

20 g / Liter

= twice the recommended dosage (200 %)

7,5

10 g / Liter = recommended dosage (100%)

8,4

The wrong dosage of cut flower food is more likely to cause damage. Overdosing does not lead to optimal results and causes unnecessary costs. A high underdosage (e.g. 25% of the recommended amount) even achieves a worse result than pure water. The correct dosage of cut flower food helps to reduce the flower waste and therefore saves costs and ensures satisfied customers.

Ideal dosage Floralife® Clear Cut Flower Food: This applies to sachets/powder: 3.5 g for up to 0.5 liters of water 5 g for 0.5 liters of water 10 g for 1 liter of water This applies to liquids: Floralife® 100 and 200 Clear: 10 ml for 1 liter of water Floralife® Ultra 200 Clear: 5 ml for 1 liter of water

tipS FOR FLOWER FOOD

Extra Tips fOr THE USE OF FLOWER FOOD When cut flowers are delivered to the shop, they should be re-cut. This is especially true after dry transportation (air seals the pathways during drying and they cannot properly absorb water and nutrients when they come into contact with water again). If the flowers are placed in water with FloraLife® Flower Food afterwards and remain there until they are sold, there is no need to cut them again! This saves time and money!

INFO

CUTTING THE FLOWER STEMS IS NO LONGER NECESSARY WITH THE USE OF FLORALIFE EXPRESS PRODUCTS

Water that has been enriched with FloraLife® Flower Food does not need to be changed daily! It is sufficient to refill the containers with the flowers (e.g. in the sales room) with Flower Food solution (attention: dose correctly!). As a rule of thumb: If the water quality does not appear visually drinkable, the water should be replaced. This saves water, time and therefore also costs! Instead of preparing Flower Food solutions separately for each container, it is advisable to prepare a larger quantity at once. A standard 10 liter watering can with measuring scale is suitable for this purpose. The individual vessels can then be filled with it.This not only saves time, but also makes correct dosing very easy. (100 g FloraLife® Clear Flower Food for 10 liters of water). Water containing Floralife® Clear Flower Food should not be put in metal containers or lead crystal vases. If you do not want to avoid presenting flowers in metal containers in the salesroom, you should use plastic or glass inserts.

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