FLORIDA FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS
CONTRIVED IRIS

contrived iris made out of Philodendron spathes
CONTRIVED IRIS                  By Claudia Bates and  Martha Ann Ronsonet

MATERIALS REQUIRED:       6 Philodendron (selloum) spathes    #16 wire        4” PVC pipe
                1 12” pipe cleaner (chenille)        Floral Tape        rubber bands
  1. Collect the spathes from the  Split Leaf Philodendron (PHILODENDRON selloum)
  2.  Soak the spathes for several hours (AT LEAST) - overnight is OK – but NO LONGER
  3. When spathes are soft & pliable – cut them in 5-6 inch lengths – spread carefully around the PVC pipe or any 4 inch  can – (cans will start to rust – be careful)  You can overlap the spathes – about 3 around pipe is best- SECURE with TWO to THREE  RUBBER BANDS to keep them flat and around the pipe.
  4. Let them dry for several days – the sunnier – hotter – drier – the better.
  5. Carefully cut or pull rubber bands away from the spathes –remove from pipe-they should be curled or curved to fit  the pipe’s curve.  DO NOT SKIP THE STEPS OF    SOAKING – WRAPPING – DRYING !!
  6. You can spray paint the spathes with a primer on the front and back – this is NOT mandatory – but when painting lighter pastel colors – it will help you achieve a more true hue.
  7.  Cut the top edges into a rounded shape (see pattern)-YOU MUST cut the bottom tip to a wide point.- you will need THREE pieces that are a bit shorter – but this is a matter of preference. SAVE the tips of the spathes – about 2 inches long – OR cut spare pieces into a THREE 2 inch pieces with a POINTED TIP.
  8.  Cut the Pipe cleaner into 3 pieces about 1 ½ - 2 inches long
  9.  Starting with the #16 wire – start by wrapping twice around one piece of the cut pipe cleaner and wrap around the floral wire – add the next pipe cleaner – wrap once  to attach it to the first pipe cleaner and wire – then repeat with   the third piece of pipe cleaner.
  10. You will be starting the TOP of the Iris petals – and use the slightly shorter 3 pieces – start by wrapping the  pointed tip onto the pipe cleaner & wire- the petals need to be curved INWARD – toward each other and the center; – you need to attached about an INCH to the wire – the rest will be above the tips     of the pipe cleaner and wire –    follow the same procedure to attach the next two (2) shorter petals – spacing them realistically around the top.   THEN – in the spaces between the top petals – attach the longer petals same procedure – about an inch of    the pointed tip attached with tape – BUT THEY NEED TO BE CURVED DOWNWARD and AWAY from the top    petals.  
  11. Hot glue the three 2 inch small pieces with pointed tips into the spaces on top of the downward curving petals.    Just do this so that it looks realistic – but honestly – unless this is an iris show – you can eliminate this.