You may be aware that the Royal Horticultural Society banned the use of oasis at all its shows in 2021 ago due to the adverse environmental effects of the microplastics. Last year several local shows either banned its use or encouraged exhibitors to look at alternatives. The Committee has considered this issue and decided that while we would not prohibit the use of oasis, we would encourage exhibitors to look at other options.
Popular alternatives include wire mesh, flower frogs, twig supports, vase grids and FibreFloral bricks.
Rachel Seigfried, who gave an outstanding talk about her Green and Gorgeous flower farm last year, said that she mainly uses wire mesh and that a bowl-shaped container is also helpful to support flowers. These work well for her naturalistic style but may not be as suitable for more formal arrangements.
You can also make your own natural supports as one of our members, Alison Berry, shows in How to Make a Support for a Bowl of Flowers. The support is just made from twigs and twine.
The RHS guide to Floral Foam Alternatives lists a wide variety of options from sand or pebbles to pin frogs and FibreFloral bricks. It includes information on how re-usable and biodegradable they are as well as listing their benefits and recommending links to demos showing how to use them.
Some other Sources of Information
A Guide to Floral Mechanics by Sarah Diligent and William Mazuch - " A Guide to Floral Mechanics shows through step by step imagery and instructions how to create floral mechanics. Floral mechanics are the methods and materials used to place and hold stems of flowers and foliage within floral designs. This is not a book on floral design. A Guide to Floral Mechanics was written to share the methods successfully used at the Floribunda Rose floristry studio".
Easy Floral Foam Alternatives: The Botaqny Studio
Sustainable Floristry - The Mechanics: The Freelance Florist
11 Sustainable Floral Foam Alternatives for Your Flower Arrangements: Better Homes and Gardens
