Would I Be Crazy To Attempt Orchids? And What Do I Need?
Decorating By louglou Updated 18 Oct 2017 , 5:38am by Apti
I'm making a cake for the mum of a friend. She loves orchids and I'd like to do an orchid flower pot cake. But I've never made flowers before and have no cutter or veiners. Do I need to buy both? Could I use a scribing tool for the veining?
I've watched a load of videos. Some stick the wire in each petal and some use a blob of gumpaste on the wire and stick that to the petal. Is there any advantage to either method?
Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
You can definitely use your scribing tool for veining. It may not be as realistic as a silicon veiner, but pretty anyway. You can look at pictures of the type orchid you want to make and cutters for that type blossom to determine what shape you need, then make you a templet for cutting the petals and different parts. If you watched a lot of videoes, then you have a good idea how to proceed. Of course, it would be easier if you had cutters.
Sometimes I insert the wire directly into the petal, sometimes I stick it to the back of the petal with a little strip of gum paste and sometimes I use the twittle method, where you roll a small amount of gum paste very thinly onto your wire, then glue to the back of the petal. I don't know that there is an advantage of using one method over another.
Don't worry about perfection. I know your friend's mom will love your creation. Good luck!
By the way, my very first flower was an orchid for my neighbor's birthday cake. It was horrible, but she loved it and at the time I thought it was quite awesome, lol.
Here is a buttercream orchid shown by Roland Winbeckler. I have made them and with a little practice they are easy to do!! Not sure if you are interested in doing it in buttercream but it is another option for you.
I had a little practice run.
I stuck the wires to the back of the petals which didn’t work very well. The petals wouldn’t stay in place and would spin around the wire. I also struggled with wrapping the wires together. I’ve since seen another tutorial that only has 1 wire strung through the centre of the petals.
I got a bit carried away with the painting too.
It is beautiful, louglou! See, not even a little crazy! She is going to love your orchids. In fact, you could make a flower pot out of cake and design your orchids and leaves like a growing plant and have it in the cake pot.
@louglou That is G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. Do more exactly the same way. Make the cake. Say "Thank You" when everyone says, "You MADE these??????!!!!!!!" Then....shut up.
Do NOT say, "I stuck the wires to the back of the petals which didn’t work very well. The petals wouldn’t stay in place and would spin around the wire. I also struggled with wrapping the wires together. I’ve since seen another tutorial that only has 1 wire strung through the centre of the petals. I got a bit carried away with the painting too." (That's just between us cake fanatics.... )
Be very proud of your orchid!! and, btw @SandraSmiley -- Your orchids are STILL beautiful!
Thank you for your lovely comments. I will do the flower pot cake as you suggested SandraSmiley.
Your comment made me laugh Apti. Its just the sort of thing I would have said if someone complimented me. I’m british and we’re not very good at taking compliments graciously.
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