On my online workbook this week: When the Super-duper is taking it Easy-peasy

Dear

This week's inspiration is a that uplifting feeling that nature is holding her breath… the last heartbeat before Spring.

Usually when we craft a flower frog for our design the twigs or vines or leaves we add offer support to the flower. In this design the beautiful oncidium orchid is supporting its nest frame! A bit of a reverse trick.

The Rosary vine tends to tangle all by its own so if you are not careful you will spend all your design time untangling the strings… to tangle the strings. The quickest way to get it to release is to hold the vine up and give it a gentle shake. And then, once you want them tangled into the nest shape you have to make sure the relatively heavy succulent vines remain tangled and are firmly supported not to droop down your tiny bud vase.

The real secret, of course, is somewhere between the beautiful growing tips and how deceptively robust orchids are.

Inspect your oncidium orchid for the ideal places to support the vine and where you can drape the vine tips without distorting the petals. You want to hook the vine leaves over the firmest places in the flower. Work from the bottom of the tangle up and fold the vine over the tangle to rest on the flower. Once the oncidium flower and vine is in position in the vase, finish the tangle by resting the growing tips securely in strategic places. It is a delicate balance. The vine should be lifted slightly to hang from the flower… but because the flower is not "tied down" or distorted by the vine it still gives it the appearance that the oncidium orchid is actually hatching out from the vine nest.

As you place the plant material think up and opening out. This way the entire nest will look perky and even if it droops slightly it will be visually countered by the tips that are so obviously fresh and growing that it can not possibly be wilting. And so your mind interprets it as hatching because we assume the vine supports the flower rather than the flower the vine.

Interesting, right?

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine