Calla Lily Wiring Techniques

Full Stem Calla

• Place a piece of wire against the side of the stem, just under the spathe or blossom bottom. Pull a foot of floral tape from the roll without breaking it off. Place the end of the tape, on a slant, against the top of the wire and stem. Wrap the tape around the wire and stem. Continue to wrap the wire down around both the stem and wire until you get to the bottom of the wire. Pull the tape firmly as you wrap it to create the pressure it requires for it to stick to itself. Be careful -- calla lily stems will collapse if too much pressure is put on them.

Flower Heads for Bouquets

• Cut the stem next to the calla lily spathe blossom at 2 to 3 inches long with a sharp knife. Use wire cutters to cut two, 18- to 20-inch wires, for each blossom. Slowly pierce a wire through the stem at 1/4 inch below the bottom of the blossom. Insert the second wire into the stem 1/4 inch lower than the first one in the opposite direction. The wires create an "X" with the stem in the center. Carefully bend the wires downward next to the stem. Pull floral tape from the roll and wrap it around the top of the wires and the stem. Pull on the tape and wrap it on an angle around the stem until the wires are completely covered.

Flower Heads for Boutonnieres

• Cut a calla lily blossom from the stem with a sharp knife. Leave a 2- to 3-inch stem at the base of the blossom. Cut an 8- to 10-inch long piece of wire with wire cutters. Insert one end of the wire through the stem. Bend the two sides of the wire down over the stem. Wrap floral tape around the stem piece and the wire.

Flower Heads for Corsages

• Cut the stem 3 inches under the blossoms of three to five calla lilies with a sharp knife. Use a pair of wire cutters to cut two, 12-inch-long wires for each blossom. Insert one wire straight through the stem at 1/4 inch from the blossom bottom. Add the second wire at 1/4 inch further down the stem to form an "X." Carefully bend the wire down until the ends touch. Wrap floral tape around the wire and stem to secure them together.