How to Wire Stephanotis

Overview

Stephanotis (Stephanotis floribunda), also called Madagascar jasmine, is a perennial vine featuring fragrant, waxy, white flowers. This plant blooms in the summer and thrives in milder climates. It is often called Hawaiian wedding flower and bridal veil vine because the bell-shaped blooms often appear in bridal bouquets and wedding boutonnieres. When used this way, stephanotis flowers must be wired so the stems don't show.

Step 1

Order stephanotis blooms from a florist or a floral supply house. Remove the flowers from their packaging and soak them in a bowl of cold water for approximately 20 minutes. Remove the blooms from the water and put them back in their package. Place the flowers in a refrigerator at about 40 degrees F until you are ready to use them.

Step 2

Protect the stephanotis flowers from body oils. Before handling the flowers, either put on thin gloves or wet your hands to keep your natural body oils from turning the petals brown.

Step 3

Cut the stems. Use a sharp, clean floral knife or scissors to cut the stem about 1 inch underneath the point where the flower's base meets the green vining stem.

Step 4

Pierce the base of the stephanotis flower with florist wire. Thread the wire through the bloom's base and into the flower. Fold the wire in half. Use wire cutters to trim the wire ends about 1 inch beneath the base of the flower stem.

Step 5

Secure the wire with florist tape. Wrap white floral tape around the flower's base at least twice to cover the entry and exit points of the florist wire. Wrap the tape down the flower stem to cover the entire wire.

Step 6

Store the wired stephanotis flowers in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. Mist the flowers lightly every 2 or 3 hours.