I have a girl who wants me to put fresh hydrangeas on her cake. I hear they will wilt really fast so I'm not sure how to give her what she wants. She also wants other fresh flowers with it but doesn't know what kind. No roses though.

I went to two flower shops and was told by one that I couldn't use the hydrangeas as they will die to fast. The next place said I could use them as long as I used them with a water pick.

So my question is what would you do? Can you put water picks in the cake? How would you do the other flowers?

I wanted to order it from the flower shop and just have it done so I can pick it up and put it on top of the cake but they don't do that. They said I have to decorate it myself and I've never put fresh flowers on a cake. I have NO idea where to start.

Help!!!!!

Thanks so much

I wanted hydrangeas too and my florist wouldn't guarantee them but I went to a wedding later and that was just about all they used! They are delicate though.

I think wilton makes a water pick for use with cakes.

I would just include something in the contract that you can not guarantee the flowers and she will be getting them at her own risk so to speak.

And there is the whole issue that they shouldn't touch the cake unless they are pesticide free.

I would have serious reservations about using fresh ones at all since hydrangeas are poisonous. If you do use them, be very careful not to allow the flowers, leaves or stems to come into contact with the cake. See if the bride will let you use another flower that isn't poisonous ~ or if you can use silk or gumpaste ones instead.

I just read that for a human to get sick on a hydrangea they would have to eat the buds and/or leaf. I don't think just sitting on the cake would be harmful. I will be sure to pull off the buds and leafs though.

Thanks for pointing that out.

Here in the UK it is generally specified that you NEVER put fresh flowers on cakes.
There are so many that are poisonous or an irritant that it is just not worth the risk.

I had one lady wanting fresh roses and I told her she could have them but not on a cake of mine.
She chose flowerpaste (gumpaste) roses.

I would go with Beckalita and use gumpaste or silk.

I've been trying to get her to use gumpaste or silk and so far she won't do that. She hates silk flowers and gumpaste ones are to costly for her.

Does she want them all over the cake, or just on the top? Typically, no one eats the top. I have also seen water tubes that come with caps. You stick the flower stem through the cap. That would help ensure minimal contact with the cake. Even if you filled the tubes with water to help preserve the flowers, if it's only in the top, and no one plans to eat it...there really shouldn't be much of problem. Good luck.

You could also lay wax paper circles on the cake in the are where the flowers will be to prevent contact. But she needs to arrange to get flowers that haven't been sprayed and she may find those ain't cheap either!

Oh I love the wax paper idea. I will be using the water tubes with the caps on there so they won't leak the water.

The flowers are going to be on the top and two small arrangements on the other tiers on the side.

I did find a place to get flowers that were not sprayed and are ok to use on cakes.

I advised her of the possible hazards and she said she "Really wants to go with the fresh flowers"

The cake is going to have fondant on it and she doesn't plan on anyone eating that part. Plus with the wax paper under the flowers I think it should be ok.

Thanks everyone. This sure has been a learning lesson.

The wedding cake that I just made had hydrangeas and roses. The roses were real and the hydrangeas were silk. They looked fine together.