Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Reflexed petal Tulip… with a surprise Orchid flower buddy
- 23 April 2025
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Groom a mature tulip flower to have only one leaf on the stem.
Cut the stem so that it is angled in the bud vase to stand firmly.
No need to condition the tulip any further... it is absolutely fine (in fact wonderful) if it continues to grow and mature in the vase. It adds character.
Book readers turn to page 100 for a great trick to remove any pollen. It works so well! For more information about my book: The Effortless Floral Craftsman
Pour water into the bud vase so that the tulip remains hydrated.
Gently reflex the petals to open up the tulip cup. If you are unsure of how to reflex tulip petals see the Tutorial below.
Open only enough petals so that you can design inside the flower. I will adjust the petals as I go along but still want the tulip to mature around the design.
Handle the petals only when you absolutely need to. They damage so easily.
Glue in a few rosary vine stems. They are succulents and do not need a water source.
Drape the vines all around (front and back) the tulip and allow the stems to dangle without damaging the petals.
Add in a few sparkling dew drop crystals with a pin to make sure you do not damage the delicate plant material.
See below for detailed instructions on how to add the crystals with a pin.
Glue in a tiny water tube to keep the orchid hydrated.
This week in our email I explain a bit more about selecting a tulip with just the right level of maturity to have a well developed pistil that can support the design. I send out an email every Wednesday morning (Vancouver time) the moment the design is ready for you to view with a bit of extra detail that will help you make the most of each week's inspiration design. The sign up is below this post.
Gently slip the orchid into the water tube right inside the tulip.
Adjust the rosary vine to cascade over the tulip and the orchid...
And adjust the petals so that it beautifully frames the orchid by reflexing only parts of the tulip petals and sepals.
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Tutorials
When you need to keep a tiny stem hydrated this is just what you need. If you can't find a suitable drinking straw... I also have an upgrade: tiny food grade pipe water tubes.
It's sometimes difficult to place a tiny crystal or bead exactly where you want it.
Craft an everything is still growing spring design to celebrate... what we love!
Here is a trick to make sure your tulips will condition thoroughly
Tulips continue to grow after being cut. Sometimes when you make a very small design or for competition or bridal work you want to minimize growth. The best way to do this is to...
Flowers naturally float in water. They just don’t always naturally float on water. For that they sometimes need a bit of help.
A hidden water source small enough to fit into a dainty flower.
Dry fall leaves to create a ball shape structure
I love these little Boutstix corsage magnets! They are strong enough to hold flowers neatly in place.
Pick away petals from a lily to create space for delicate vines to really shine.
Long, long, long lasting display that will even root in place with a few adjustments.
Split (but don't cut) a few gladiolus flowers to spiral in a vase
Knit a corona (as in that inside skirt like part of a daffodil) by weaving a Ceropegia woodii vine around the stamen filament of a lily.
Adding tension to a design with a grass frame and collar.
Set the rosary vines into the natural cavity of the flower head.
Create a contrasting base to lift the heavy flower-head to design in
Wedge snipped twigs into a glass vase to act as a support for your flowers
Tulips continue to grow as they open. This means you not only have to be mindful of their proportions as they are now... but also as they will be once open.
Craft a suspended armature to create a clear winter design.
Favourite Flowers
Tulip
Rosary vine, Chain of Hearts, Collar of hearts and String of hearts
Phalaenopsis, Moth orchid
Related Designs
Just like a buzzing bee... give a mature Tulip a Phalaenopsis orchid buddy to keep it company.
Filling a trumpet flower cup... with more flowers!
Fold open a lily bud to conceal a clever little BoutStix floral magnet for an unusual corsage.
My Spring/Easter design and the introduction article about my floral journey written by the editor, Nina Tucknott in the latest issue of Flora Magazine.
Split and spiral a few gladiolus flowers in a way that the stems remain intact, to spiral in a water filled filled vase for a long lasting composite flower
This is a great "space-keeper" design. The tulip will continue to grow into the vase height as they open... but until then the grass platform part of the design diverts your...
Stand tulips upright in a shallow container with a suspended twig armature.