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Name: Toni
Status: educator
Grade: 6-8
Location: FL
Country: N/A
Date: 12/24/2004
Question:
How do nurseries/florists change flowers to various colors?

Replies:
For some flowers, the florist can put a dye into the water and the plant will take it up into the flower stalk.

Possibly helpful:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bot00/bot00476.htm

Anthony Brach PhD.

Hi dear Toni

Not all the flowers easily change colors.

But for some it is easy.

One needs to cut the stalk like a bisel and put it into a colored solution made with food dyes. Red and blue color work better.

After some time, about 8-12 hours the colored solution goes up the stalk and to the flower and gives it the diferent color. Of course it must be done withe white flowers.

Thanks for asking NEWTON

Mabel
(Dr. Mabel Rodrigues)


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