Views: 830 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2024-11-25 Origin: Site
Silk – Artificial flowers and some leaves are still made from natural silk, but most “silk” flowers and leaves today are made from synthetic or other natural fibers, such as rayon and cotton.
Silk is not always easy or cost-effective to source, so many manufacturers advertise their plants or flowers as “silk-style” rather than real silk. While florists once looked down on artificial and dried plants, silk flowers are now revered for their versatility. Today, florists even use them to decorate live plants and mix them with fresh flowers. This tradition is said to have been started by the Chinese, who perfected the art of making exquisite floral replicas, but it was the Europeans who turned silk flower making into a business.
Wood – Many of our artificial plants use real wood or bamboo for the trunks or stems of the plants to give them a realistic look and feel.
Metal – Many artificial flowers and plants will use metal wire to shape the plant to provide structure or allow for different positions, which may be necessary for flower arrangements. As you can imagine, the metal is not visible in the plant or flower, but it helps to maintain its structural integrity and shape.
Thermoplastic (Polystyrene) – This synthetic polymer is made from a monomer called styrene. Polystyrene can be solid or foamy, but general-purpose polystyrene is hard, brittle, and transparent. It is an inexpensive material that is often used to make custom boxes for packaging and posting plants. Some manufacturers make holes in the bottom to allow for drainage – in which case the thermoplastic container can be used as a plant pot.
Rubber – It may seem funny to make artificial plants out of rubber, since natural rubber itself is made from plants. But rubber can be a good alternative, especially if it responds well to UV treatment. It is lightweight, durable, and easy to source, making it a popular choice for artificial plants today.