Really appreciate the approach you are taking to reducing plastic in your business. Thanks for bringing awareness to the dangers of floral foam & introducing us to this eco-alternative.
Saw another video where person recommended turning sideways so you’re going between the layers and not through each layer. He said it was much easier to insert the stems.
Thanks for taking the time - really interesting. I do wedding flowers, so I mostly use Oasis for the arbour florals, which need to be in there tightly. do you reckon it'd hold up against gravity - you said it wasn't holding as well as the foam and you can't get the stems in as deep. I guess it'd be ok for natives and things with woody stems because you can really shove them in without damaging the stem. Did you ever try turning it around so you don't have to go through all the layers?
Hi Rachel, thank you for your comment! I have heard of people using it for arbour work but Im really baffled how they did it as the water leaks out really fast (as you would have seen in the video). I did ask them how they stopped the water leaking out, but no reply. The Agra-wool bricks themselves are very stable, but yes, very difficult to get the stems in. Others have suggested using a chopstick or something to poke the hole first then insert the stem, but for me it would be very time consuming. Maybe it would become a quicker process with practice. Im also not sure how tight it would hold the stems if the hole was pre-made (you'd need to make sure the hole was smaller than the stem). I DO think as long as the stem is poked in tight it would hold upside down... but I really don't think the water would stay in there! Maybe it would stay moist enough to get through a wedding. I definitely recommend trialling that before doing it! I didn't do it in a video, but it is much easier to poke things in when it is sideways. It kind of feels to me like the brick might split. But if it were in a cage or wired it wouldn't fall apart (obviously). Hope that helps!! I might do another video on it next season :)
Hi Debra. I don't like touching the Oasis as it has some pretty harsh chemicals in it (noted in the video). It just makes me feel a bit worried to be honest. I wouldn't like to work with it daily that is for sure. I have only really started out with flowers within this past 12 months, so I haven't used it much. Ethically and health wise, Agra-wool feels much better to me (although I really can't deny that floral foam does perform much better).
That is a brilliant idea, thank you!!! I did wonder about turning it sideways and I thought it wouldn't have as much stability. I will do that next time, thank you!
Hello! I have no idea as I’m in Australia! Hopefully someone else sees your comment and answers. Otherwise, there is a big flower group on FB you could join and someone in there will know!!
I get what you're saying but that floral foam oasis has been in the industry for so long. Nice to know of new products out there but unfortunately almost everything of yesteryear products have yet to catch up with today's living of being environmental consciousness. Oasis might be toxic but aren't most of what we use are still in the same level due to many factors?
I think as we progress with technology and ideas we can definitely improve on products from the past. The difficulty with trying to improve on Floral Foam is that it just does the job SO well. It is unfortunate it is made from such harmful ingredients (for our health and the environment). I agree lots of things we use today are toxic. I guess if we can find a way to improve (or at least offer a healthier alternative) it is a good thing. Thanks so much for your thought provoking comment!
Just bc it's been in the industry longer doesn't mean it's the best choice. We are in a time where there are safer and environmentally friendly choices. we have to do better as individuals when it comes to what we purchase and consume
Morning. The suppliers advise you should pour the water on top as opposed to soaking it as you do Oasis. That way the wool uptakes the water as opposed to soaking the bottom thus getting more leakage. They state that unlike Oasis you can reuse the hole in Agra Wool; great for soft stems. Oasis, while it is a great product, because it is carcinogenic you should wear a mask as well as gloves because Mike Asbestos the small fibres are hidden and get into your lungs. Wouldn’t it have been easier to show the demo of it in a glass vase so we can see how difficult or easy it is to put it in? As this was a year ago are you using it or have you given up? You’re final synopsis stating it was dry confirms to me that you should have poured the water over it as it would have lasted longer. How about doing a year later video to show what you’re thoughts are?
Hi Angela, thank you for all of the detail in your reply! I hope other viewers will read your info re: how to add the water to the Agra-wool and its reuse (and about wearing a mask with floral foam.. far out I did not know that. I really didn't like working with floral foam). Yes, glass vase would have been a great idea! There were (of course) a couple of things I could have done much better with this video. I think it is definitely worth me doing a follow up. Particularly with some tips about how to use the Agra-wool. I am still using it but I don't get many orders in containers. The majority of our customers want bouquets. Thanks again for your comment!
Girl. you need to find another industry to work in. Most floral designers have worked with "Oasis" brand floral foam for many (myself for about 50 years) with out consequence to my skin or breathing or anything else. Your seem far too dainty to work in our business!
Bill, I totally agree With you!! I've working as a florist since 15yrs old.('65). Those so-called know-it-alls think they have the answers to EVERYTHING.....this "environmental bulls**t" is exactly what it is.... I've been working with OASIS for 55yrs. In this business, I 'be NEVER had CANCER OR ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS..PERIOD..Lady you have NO frickin' idea what you're talking about...You're not a legitimate "florist"". What " environmental group is paying you to diss the floral foam industry. I went to Design school with Sue Smithers in Lakewood,Ohio...yes her family create red the foam,OASIS!!!! This wonderful foam revolutionize the floral industry....Smithers should sue you for slander against their great product!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@phaedragardeness stay on your chosen course despite the naysayers. Consumers care & want to support farmers who are willing to adapt and change in order to do things more responsibly for people, animals & our planet. Just because 'we've always done it this way' doesn't mean we should continue. It is the lazy approach in my opinion when we can do better. Re:customers- educate them on the foam & why you are choosing an alternative product. I for one would be happy to pay more knowing i can compost it at the end & am sure many others would also. One suggestion, if you are not already- in your branding/marketing talk about that you don't use chemicals, plastics, landscape fabric etc these are all huge marketing points and you will get a following of people who support what you are doing. Wishing you all the best. x
@@phaedragardeness As with Kendy, keep doing what you are doing. In all industries we need to embrace new tech as well as things that are better for the environment. Those who are of the 'we have always done it this way so it is best' will always be left behind. They are like dinosaurs.
Really appreciate the approach you are taking to reducing plastic in your business.
Thanks for bringing awareness to the dangers of floral foam & introducing us to this eco-alternative.
Hi Kendy! Thankyou for such a lovely comment!
Thank you for being so thorough!
You are welcome! Thankyou for your comment :)
Saw another video where person recommended turning sideways so you’re going between the layers and not through each layer. He said it was much easier to insert the stems.
Hi Althea! Your name is so different! I like it! Thanks for that info, I have heard that too but Id forgotten it. I will try!
Thank you for demonstrating this. It was very helpful!
Thankyou! You are welcome :)
It was helpful and informative video! Thank you!:)
Thankyou! Glad you found it helpful :)
Thanks for taking the time - really interesting. I do wedding flowers, so I mostly use Oasis for the arbour florals, which need to be in there tightly. do you reckon it'd hold up against gravity - you said it wasn't holding as well as the foam and you can't get the stems in as deep. I guess it'd be ok for natives and things with woody stems because you can really shove them in without damaging the stem. Did you ever try turning it around so you don't have to go through all the layers?
Hi Rachel, thank you for your comment! I have heard of people using it for arbour work but Im really baffled how they did it as the water leaks out really fast (as you would have seen in the video). I did ask them how they stopped the water leaking out, but no reply. The Agra-wool bricks themselves are very stable, but yes, very difficult to get the stems in. Others have suggested using a chopstick or something to poke the hole first then insert the stem, but for me it would be very time consuming. Maybe it would become a quicker process with practice. Im also not sure how tight it would hold the stems if the hole was pre-made (you'd need to make sure the hole was smaller than the stem). I DO think as long as the stem is poked in tight it would hold upside down... but I really don't think the water would stay in there! Maybe it would stay moist enough to get through a wedding. I definitely recommend trialling that before doing it!
I didn't do it in a video, but it is much easier to poke things in when it is sideways. It kind of feels to me like the brick might split. But if it were in a cage or wired it wouldn't fall apart (obviously).
Hope that helps!! I might do another video on it next season :)
Greetings from the UK! I am a newly qualified Florist, your video was v interesting. Thank you for sharing.
Thankyou!!!
Haven’t used oasis before , and if not what did you uses before, why you don’t like touching it
Hi Debra. I don't like touching the Oasis as it has some pretty harsh chemicals in it (noted in the video). It just makes me feel a bit worried to be honest. I wouldn't like to work with it daily that is for sure. I have only really started out with flowers within this past 12 months, so I haven't used it much. Ethically and health wise, Agra-wool feels much better to me (although I really can't deny that floral foam does perform much better).
@@phaedragardeness understand
For soft stems us a chopstick to make a guide hole. Turn brick sidewards
That is a brilliant idea, thank you!!! I did wonder about turning it sideways and I thought it wouldn't have as much stability. I will do that next time, thank you!
A wood skewer may work better than a chopstick. It has a point on the end and is much smaller diameter.
Where to purchase Agra wool foam in md
Hello! I have no idea as I’m in Australia! Hopefully someone else sees your comment and answers. Otherwise, there is a big flower group on FB you could join and someone in there will know!!
I get what you're saying but that floral foam oasis has been in the industry for so long. Nice to know of new products out there but unfortunately almost everything of yesteryear products have yet to catch up with today's living of being environmental consciousness. Oasis might be toxic but aren't most of what we use are still in the same level due to many factors?
I think as we progress with technology and ideas we can definitely improve on products from the past. The difficulty with trying to improve on Floral Foam is that it just does the job SO well. It is unfortunate it is made from such harmful ingredients (for our health and the environment). I agree lots of things we use today are toxic. I guess if we can find a way to improve (or at least offer a healthier alternative) it is a good thing. Thanks so much for your thought provoking comment!
Just bc it's been in the industry longer doesn't mean it's the best choice. We are in a time where there are safer and environmentally friendly choices. we have to do better as individuals when it comes to what we purchase and consume
Can you root flowers in floral foam?
I guess you “could”, but you’d probably damage the roots when you pulled them out.
Morning. The suppliers advise you should pour the water on top as opposed to soaking it as you do Oasis. That way the wool uptakes the water as opposed to soaking the bottom thus getting more leakage. They state that unlike Oasis you can reuse the hole in Agra Wool; great for soft stems. Oasis, while it is a great product, because it is carcinogenic you should wear a mask as well as gloves because Mike Asbestos the small fibres are hidden and get into your lungs.
Wouldn’t it have been easier to show the demo of it in a glass vase so we can see how difficult or easy it is to put it in? As this was a year ago are you using it or have you given up?
You’re final synopsis stating it was dry confirms to me that you should have poured the water over it as it would have lasted longer. How about doing a year later video to show what you’re thoughts are?
Hi Angela, thank you for all of the detail in your reply! I hope other viewers will read your info re: how to add the water to the Agra-wool and its reuse (and about wearing a mask with floral foam.. far out I did not know that. I really didn't like working with floral foam).
Yes, glass vase would have been a great idea! There were (of course) a couple of things I could have done much better with this video. I think it is definitely worth me doing a follow up. Particularly with some tips about how to use the Agra-wool.
I am still using it but I don't get many orders in containers. The majority of our customers want bouquets.
Thanks again for your comment!
😇 hahaha
Girl. you need to find another industry to work in. Most floral designers have worked with "Oasis" brand floral foam for many (myself for about 50 years) with out consequence to my skin or breathing or anything else. Your seem far too dainty to work in our business!
Oooo Thankyou for calling me dainty!
Bill, I totally agree With you!! I've working as a florist since 15yrs old.('65). Those so-called know-it-alls think they have the answers to EVERYTHING.....this "environmental bulls**t" is exactly what it is.... I've been working with OASIS for 55yrs. In this business, I 'be NEVER had CANCER OR ANY HEALTH PROBLEMS..PERIOD..Lady you have NO frickin' idea what you're talking about...You're not a legitimate "florist"". What " environmental group is paying you to diss the floral foam industry. I went to Design school with Sue Smithers in Lakewood,Ohio...yes her family create red the foam,OASIS!!!! This wonderful foam revolutionize the floral industry....Smithers should sue you for slander against their great product!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t really know what to say to you to be honest. I just didn’t want to be rude and not reply.
@@phaedragardeness stay on your chosen course despite the naysayers. Consumers care & want to support farmers who are willing to adapt and change in order to do things more responsibly for people, animals & our planet. Just because 'we've always done it this way' doesn't mean we should continue. It is the lazy approach in my opinion when we can do better.
Re:customers- educate them on the foam & why you are choosing an alternative product. I for one would be happy to pay more knowing i can compost it at the end & am sure many others would also.
One suggestion, if you are not already- in your branding/marketing talk about that you don't use chemicals, plastics, landscape fabric etc these are all huge marketing points and you will get a following of people who support what you are doing. Wishing you all the best. x
@@phaedragardeness As with Kendy, keep doing what you are doing. In all industries we need to embrace new tech as well as things that are better for the environment. Those who are of the 'we have always done it this way so it is best' will always be left behind. They are like dinosaurs.