Noticed a lot of shops around here are still using the wrong wire gauge for heavy stems

Honestly, I kept seeing peonies and sunflowers drooping in arrangements from other local spots, and it clicked. They were using 22-gauge wire for everything, but those thick stems need at least an 18-gauge to hold them up right. I switched over about six months ago after a wedding bouquet almost fell apart, and the difference is huge. Has anyone else found a specific gauge that works best for you?

3 comments

3 Comments

eric72321d ago

Ever think about the stem thickness inside those big blooms? I had a dahlia snap right at the head because the 18-gauge was still too weak for its hollow stem. Now I keep some 16-gauge on hand just for those. It's a bit stiffer to work with, but for things like giant hydrangeas or heavy-branched foliage, it's the only thing that doesn't bend.

hollyc9221d ago

My shop switched to a double-wire method for hollow stems after losing a whole batch of delphiniums last spring. You're right about needing heavier gauge, @eric723, but sometimes even 16-gauge can kink inside a hollow stem and cause a weak spot. I run two parallel 20-gauge wires up the length, then twist them together at the base. It spreads the support and doesn't crush the stem walls. It takes more time, but it's the only way I've kept those top-heavy blooms from snapping at the neck.

daniel_lane3011d ago

Honestly hollyc92, that double-wire trick is smart for spreading the pressure. Tbh @eric723 is right about needing strong gauge, but I've found the bigger issue is moisture inside the hollow stem. If any water gets trapped around the wire, it rots from the inside out. I poke a tiny hole near the base with a pin to let it drain after wiring.