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Written by Lynda Owen
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Sunday, 01 February 2009 15:39 |
In cold bleak January there is a brilliant ray of sunlight for florists the world over, it’s the IPM Trade Fair held annually in Essen, Germany. Exhilarating displays of flowers and sundries, new trends and quality merchandise go hand in hand with stage shows and presentations from the world’s greatest florists.
A superb range of ceramics in every hue was on display from huge bulbous garden pots to tiny containers to hold miniature arrangements. It would be impossible to ask for the wrong size or shaped container. |  Organic materials are to the fore, with natural containers becoming big sellers, the range of funeral tributes shapes made from twigs, moss and bark were impressive and would prove really saleable in the UK. Many of these natural shapes were planted with snowdrops, pansies and winter evergreens proving to be a tribute that would last long after the funeral was over and be eco friendly. |
Phalaenopsis orchids are still good sellers but the florist now needs to be creative and display them in an innovative way to be ahead of the supermarkets, otherwise sales will diminish. The new orchid plant sticks and clips in eye catching colours will enhance the plant and freshen the appeal of Phalaenopsis plants. These plant supports would be great for making structures for arrangements also.
|  Halbach® the ribbon experts had nifty little metal beads that looked great when threaded on grasses, plus a huge variety of scrummy textured ribbons. | | Only two exhibitors in the whole show had the hottest product that designers and florists will be falling over themselves to acquire. Flocked and felted wools from thin single strands to wide fleece and felt, totally organic and produced in the most fabulous colours it comes on rolls of 30 metres upwards, depending on the width. Also flock material, sold in 500 gram bags, great for covering foam or soil and the beauty of this natural product is that the dye does not come out even when placed in water. (This must be a plus as I have just had a large carpet ruined by a dye used in a vase.) The felt is perfect for wrapping plants and flowers in a natural way. Florists will be falling over themselves to get this. |  |  |  On the OASIS® FLORAL PRODUCTS stand their designer was showing a novel flat packed vase. Add hot water, then cold and hey presto! The vase comes to life, really clever for single flowers and the great advantage is it takes up very little storage space.
Another product from OASIS® a wide plastic container with the foam already added is a clever idea as the container can be dressed with leaves, ribbons or personalised in a variety of ways. Perhaps the greatest product on show here was the new OASIS® double sided tape, ideal for sticking leaves etc., to containers. |  Cable ties and plant support ties have found a new use in floristry, they zip firmly together and florists have been popping along to their nearest garden centre or builders merchant to purchase them. Now they are available to florists in a range of lengths and colours, perfect for structures that need to be firmly tied yet decorative. Certainly the IPM trade fair is a place that all florists should try to go to at least once, although it does become addictive. | Copyright © 2009 Lynda Owen. All Rights Reserved. |
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