05 Aug 2012
Coloring Flowers
Coloring Flowers
Have you ever wondered how the super market gets the bright colored carnations and daisies? Well it's easy and you can do it! Today you will learn how to make your own colored flowers at home.
You will need:
1. any WHITE flower (carnations and daisies work good)
2. food coloring (blue, red, and green works good)
3. 1-5 vases (to hold the different colored flowers)
4. warm water
5. sharp scissors (to cut the stem)
6. newspaper (to protect your surface from the food coloring)
7. 24 hours for best results
Directions:
Select a dozen or so of your favorite WHITE flower (daisies, carnations, chrysanthemums, roses, or whatever you wish). You will need to trim the stem of each of the flowers on an angel. The stem needs to be filled with water when it is cut so let them rest in some water before you start. It's also important to keep air out of the stem. Air will prevent the water from reaching the top of the flower. Try cutting the stem under water and placing them in the water filled vase right away.
Next you will want to lay down your newspaper to prevent stains. Fill a vase with warm water and add your desired color of food coloring. You will want to add about 20-30 drops of food coloring per 1/2 cup of warm water. Now you are ready to place your flower in the warm water with food coloring. Repeat these steps with other desired colors and flowers. It works best if the flowers drinks up the water over a 24 hour period.
Getting fancy:
If you want to go further you can split the stem of your flower up the middle and place each side of the stem in a different color. This can be trickey. Be sure that you select two well balenced containers to place side by side. The end result is a multi-colored beautiful flower!
Science lesson:
You can use this same project as a science experiment with your children. Use google and look up "food coloring flowers".
Enjoy!
We look forward to hearing about your experience on the Mister Landscaper web page.