Flower arrangers - advice re. ivy??

[loomer]

I have inadvertently become responsible for decorating my friend's wedding cake on Friday (oops!), and am slightly concerned...

I suggested to her that we need to arrange some ivy around the base of the cake, so her mum is picking some on Friday morning for me to wire and place artistically. Trouble is the wedding isn't until Saturday afternoon. My question is...

Will the ivy last??

Or is this a very stupid idea, and should I be doing it on Saturday (logisitcally a lot more tricky)?

Bumping for the evening crowd...

...anyone?

I've used ivy for christmas arrangements,and it lasts really well if put in a bucket of water (I put the whole lot in, and it lasted for a few days.) It's pretty tough stuff!

yes it should last,if it's kept nice and cool,spray with water.

You could also use a long piece and keep the end in a test tube water thingy.Pin it into place without wiring and on the day just take it out of the water and pin the ends in .

aaaaahhh, I knew somebody was out there! Thanks for these suggestions... however the plan was to wire up 'clusters' of leaves and arrange them on the cake ON Friday afternoon. Thus they couldn't be watered or sprayed for more than 24 hours before being the centre of attention on Saturday afternoon - I am now thinking that this just isn't going to work?!

Let me check with dh (we have flower shops),when he gets in.I haven't worked for 4 yrs and can't remember.

Thanks ggirl...

...in the meantime I have two pieces of ivy in the kitchen - one in a glass of water and the other not. I shall conclude my scientific experiment tomorrow afternoon!

well dh said that the florists make up corsages sometimes the day before with wired ivy . It is then kept in a cold room ,ie. a big fridge ,and sprayed with water.
So if you wire the ivy onto a cake ,could it be kept in the fridge or cool garage.
Providing the ivy is fresh it should be ok.Also I think ivy looks fine for ages anyway ,so you'll probably be alright.Hope it goes well.

Thanks for that ggirl... I think we'll get everything wired up and into clusters (which will be a bit like corsages) on Friday, and then keep them in a fridge until Saturday. It's great to know what the professionals do, thanks again.

For what it's worth, the ivy in the glass of water is still very springy and 'fresh', but the one I just left out on the side has lost its sheen, and the smaller leaves are decidedly soft. But it isn't too horrendous or wilted looking.

I shall write up my conclusion and post the information to the Royal Society of Flower Arrangers .