Why do flowers change color when put into colored dye?
The scientific write up - Why do flowers change color when put in colored dye?
Why do flowers change color when put in colored dye? My hypothesis was that in order to change the color of the flower you would have dip the flower in dye. Some research I found was that you can quickly dip a flower in food coloring and other types of chemicals that I could not find and the flower will be the color you want it to but it is not very reliable because the chemicals will damage the flower.The reason for this lab was mostly out of curiousity and how people get these crazy colored flowers that don’t look like they could be naturally grown. While researching this topic I found that there is a very natural way of coloring flowers without putting harsh chemicals on the outside of the flower that can wilt the flower.Certain chemicals can even kill the flower and would be like putting a pesticide on the plant. An easy alternative to this would be to cut the stem of the flower. Cutting the stem of the flower and putting it in colored water will change the color of the flower within a couple of hours sometimes even 24 depending on the flower, this happens without doing any damage to the flower. The purpose of this experiment is to see if flowers will actually change color if food color is put into the water.
When I did this experiment I used four white tulips, I used white tulips because you would notice results quicker on clear and clean flower. We had to cut the flower slanted at the bottom if you cut it straight then it would not be able to take in water. We also cut the stem under water to prevent air bubbles from forming which in turn could the prevent the flower from being colored as best it can. I used two flasks and 2 graduated cylinders to separate the flowers from each other. I began by pouring 150 ml of water into each of the four flasks then putting 10 to 20 drops of dark blue food and orange food coloring in one flask. I used dark food coloring because it would be easier to notice on a white flower. I also tried orange food coloring because i wanted to see if we could get a orange and blue flower when we split the stem down the middle.
The scientific write up - Why do flowers change color when put in colored dye?
Why do flowers change color when put in colored dye? My hypothesis was that in order to change the color of the flower you would have dip the flower in dye. Some research I found was that you can quickly dip a flower in food coloring and other types of chemicals that I could not find and the flower will be the color you want it to but it is not very reliable because the chemicals will damage the flower.The reason for this lab was mostly out of curiousity and how people get these crazy colored flowers that don’t look like they could be naturally grown. While researching this topic I found that there is a very natural way of coloring flowers without putting harsh chemicals on the outside of the flower that can wilt the flower.Certain chemicals can even kill the flower and would be like putting a pesticide on the plant. An easy alternative to this would be to cut the stem of the flower. Cutting the stem of the flower and putting it in colored water will change the color of the flower within a couple of hours sometimes even 24 depending on the flower, this happens without doing any damage to the flower. The purpose of this experiment is to see if flowers will actually change color if food color is put into the water.
When I did this experiment I used four white tulips, I used white tulips because you would notice results quicker on clear and clean flower. We had to cut the flower slanted at the bottom if you cut it straight then it would not be able to take in water. We also cut the stem under water to prevent air bubbles from forming which in turn could the prevent the flower from being colored as best it can. I used two flasks and 2 graduated cylinders to separate the flowers from each other. I began by pouring 150 ml of water into each of the four flasks then putting 10 to 20 drops of dark blue food and orange food coloring in one flask. I used dark food coloring because it would be easier to notice on a white flower. I also tried orange food coloring because i wanted to see if we could get a orange and blue flower when we split the stem down the middle.
Results section:
This project proves to me that my hypothesis was incorrect because they do not dip the flower in harsh chemicals because it can damage the flower and make it wilt and it would be unsellable. This experiment works because flowers and plants normally drink water through their roots in the ground, but the stem will continue to drink water even when the roots are gone and provide it for the flowers and leaves. Plants drink water and it keeps their roots, stems, leaves and flowers healthy and vibrant it also keeps them from drying and wilting. Water is also used to carry dissolved nutrients throughout the plant. Like when you give a plant miracle grow it sucks it up and grows a lot from the nutrients. The water moves through the plant by means of capillary action. The water is pulled through the stem and up into the petals.The reason that this works is because of transpiration, transpiration is when water evaporating from the petals and leaves evaporates, which in turn pulls water from the roots, this process works similar to that of a straw. Dyeing the water just makes the movements of water throughout the plant visible, while at the same enhancing the flowers look.
Sources-
"Steve Spangler Science." Color Changing Carnations. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015.
"How to Dye Flowers." WikiHow. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015.
Sources-
"Steve Spangler Science." Color Changing Carnations. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015.
"How to Dye Flowers." WikiHow. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 June 2015.