I
mentioned last Friday that I had an experiment planned for the weekend. You may have thought I was cracking out the Bunsen Burner and some silly acids… but I’m not into those type of experiments. I left them back at high school.
I like pretty experiments, or yummy ones. That’s my type of science.
So I headed to the market. I wanted handfuls of white flowers. I came back with nothing. How hard is it to pick up white flowers? Really. I ended up picking up some dahlias from the local florist. Ideally I wanted little daisies or something smaller, but I had to work with what I had.
Once when I was flicking through Flickr I saw a lovely bunch of flowers with blue water. The photographer mentioned something about food colouring changing the colour of the actual flower. So I set to work.
The picture to the left is day one. Now I know I don’t win any awards for flower arrangement. I’m dead set pathetic at it. I trimmed the leaves from the stem and then added blue food colouring to the water. The photo to the right is day two. See how they’re a little speckled?
And these photos are from day five. If I was a good flower carer I would have added more water, trimmed the stems and freshened it all up a little. I’ll do it now, I promise. As soon as I get off the computer.
And that’s the experiment. I was hoping for bright blue flowers, but I didn’t get them. I am wondering if I added more food colouring and trimmed the stems each day, perhaps they would have soaked up more. It’s still interesting as they are though. What do you think?
What’s on for the weekend friends? We have nothing much planned. Hubby is at surf carnivals all weekend, so we’ll be ladies of leisure. We’re even lunching like the ladies do on Sunday.
Thanks for putting up with my Hissy Fit this week. I promise to keep in line in the future. I look forward to seeing you all next week when I’ll be talking about my eBay psychic experience, offering you a little giveaway and perhaps laughing a little too.
Happy weekend to you. xx
I’ll be blogging over at Kidspot this week. Pop over and have a look. To have a read you’ll have to quickly sign up, but it only takes a moment.
Wow – that's clever. I love bunches of white flowers – elegant and pretty all at the same time. Might have to try it myself one day. The blue water looks really good – even if it doesn't change the flower colours. Nice work fms!
I remember doing that science experiment in primary school. We didn't get the expected results though. The white flowers were just A LITTLE BIT tinted. Being 8 years old, we lost total interest and moved onto something else.
Working weekends. Grrr.
Hi Chantelle – I remember doing this as a kid and I faintly remember that it depends on the stem's properties as to how well they soak up the dye…I think carnations are the easiest ones to turn?
-Aimee
http://myflutteringheart.blogspot.com
They look great! Flowers are always nice no matter what colour they turn out.
My mother in law has these things that you actually clip on to the bottom of the stems with a more concentrated amount of the colouring and it works really well, the flowers change colour nicely, but as Aimee says, I think it depends on the kind of flowers you use too…and I have no idea where she got the thigns to clip on either.
I've heard from someone you need a bit more dye and it depends on what kind of flowers too (I was oohing at blue orchids) – but I've never tried them.
Still the blue water and the blue tinges on the flowers make the arrangement look lovely.
Happy weekend!
That was fun, we will try that at home, love Posie
I've done this a few times as a science experiment with students. I agree with whoever commented above suggesting carnations. They work really well. You could try next time with a whole row of sweet jars or bottles with a single carnation in each…? Of course, we'll all want to see the results of your next attempt!!
Hehe I remember doing this when I was younger and thinking that it was the coolest thing ever! And I still do! 😀 Love the light tinge of blue. And congratulations on your Kidspot blogging! 😀 xxx
You are SUCH fun! : ) I love your pale blue flowers. I want to try that this week! Oh yes I do!