Judges Franz Gräbe and Leon Kluge with host Edrien Erasmus in between.
kykNET's reality design competition Die Groenste Vingers (The Greenest Fingers) returns for Season 2 this Wednesday 26 October at 20h00 with a bouquet of 15 florists who'll vie for the show's R100,000 prize.
According to the channel, the contenders have been chosen for their skill set, talent and experience, and their challenges are described as a mix of traditional and adventurous.
Some of their tasks include a steel arch for a wedding, gothic chandeliers, painting imitations and flower couture.
The season's also introducing a new group challenge whereby the Top 10 collaborate for a Christmas-themed task which will air as a festive season special.
Edrien Erasmus returns to host and Leon Kluge and Franz Gräbe are back as judges - joined by various local celebs across episodes.
Here's a close-up on the format, followed by whose fingers belong to whom:
In the first five episodes, three florists will compete in two challenges: a mini creation, the winner of which will gain an advantage, and a solo creation.
One florist will go home each week.
In the sixth episode, the Top 10 contestants will go up against each other in the first team-creation challenge in the greenhouse.
The contenders are:
Angie Kaalsen
This 40-year old florist is from Kempton Park in Johannesburg and owner of Beyond Flowers by Angie.
“How will I use indigenous flowers? I’ll use them as is - with roots and all. The roots must be washed beautifully clean and put in a beautiful glass vase.”
Angelina Niewoudt
Born and raised in Parys in the Free State where she and her sister Tharina both own Catharina Carolina Blomme en Dekor.
“My style depends on what I’m busy with - sophisticated and loose.”
Cassidy van Wyk (Bedster)
Cassidy is a 24-year old florist, event planner and photographer. She is also the owner of Floral School SA.
“I love doing big arrangements such as mass arrangements and floral runners.”
Dané Verwey
Dané is 24-years old, from Stellenbosch and owner of Dané Verwey Floral.
“My style is a bit of everything. It is abstract, whimsical and quirky.”
Esmé Viljoen
Esmé is 44-years old and a private dietician from Jacobsdal in the Free State.
“It is the way you can give expression to emotions with flowers, bouquets and arrangements - you can celebrate something and show love.”
Ezalle Janse van Rensburg
Ezalle is a 34-year old florist and owner of Myrtle Flower Design from Centurion, Gauteng.
“Organised chaos! I love flowers that are different. My style always includes something that will make you look twice!”
Gerrit van Niekerk-Reis
Gerrit is the 58-year old owner of Duke and Duchess Florist in Cape Town.
“Flowers can make people forget about their problems and make them happy. They colour the world. According to me, flowers for weddings are just as important as the bride. It’s koeksisters with syrup.”
Helena Sheridan-Gouws
Helena is a 37-year old freelance event planner and social media marketer from Somerset-West in the Western Cape.
“My favourites. Flower: Sewejaartjie - it’s so unique and you can use it over and over.
Plant: Kooigoed - so many ways to use it in different cultures in our country. “
Ilse Barnard-Walker
This 58-year owner of a flower and giftshop in Johannesburg also has a Master’s degree in Medicine and has been involved with social work.
“Flowers influence the energy of a room and the mood of people. Research at the University of Haviland-Jones and McGuire found that flowers are very effective tools to help with lifting ones spirit. They refer to it as the Duchenne smile.”
Marolee Smith
Marolee is 33-years old. She has been a freelance florist since 2017 in Paarl and describes her style as eclectic.
“My favourite flower is a rose (probably the same for many people). The pruning of roses is sometimes difficult and painful - but it’s the same as for most things in life, one has to endure the hurt to reach the beautiful.”
Monique Ritson
Monique is a 35-year old florist and owner of DiNique Emporium in Belville in the Western Cape.
“I love the Vanda Orchid. The colours are always pretty and clear. It also looks modern and doesn’t die easily. I also love the Ohara rose because it blooms so beautifully and smells fantastic!”
Nyoka Coetzee
Nyoka is 37-years old, florist and owner of Wild Leaves Floral Design from Rosebank in Johannesburg.
“I really love a ranunculus flower. It is so delicate and the variety of colours is something exceptional...”
Stefan Smuts
Stefan is a 25-year old florist and photographer from Pretoria who describes his style as “fine art” inspired by African nature.
“The style and feeling of the flowers depends on the wedding or function. And it contributes to the general look and feel of the other elements at the occasion.”
Tharina Kleynhans
Tharina is from Sasolburg in the Free State where she is the owner of Catharna Carolina Blomme en Dekor. She also works as an HR consultant.
“Flowers bring life and colour to a room. They create that extra WOW-factor that a room might need.”
Willem van Schalkwyk
This 34-year old florist and owner of Brood en Blom in Franschhoek, likes depth and detail.
“Lewis Miller said on a TEDx video, and I can’t say it better, that flowers are nature’s Little Cheerleaders. It is a universal way to say "I love you, I’m sorry etc."