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Dear Bridget, I am doing a science fair project my question is: “WHAT PROLONGS THE LIFE Of CUT FLOWERS BLEACH OR SUGAR?” What I plan to do is put a small amount of bleach in one vase and sugar in the other and see which flower lasts longer. Could you please give me some guidance on your opinion and some facts that would help my research. Thank You very much this would be greatly appreciated! :) ** please reply soon I dont have much time! – Bobbi – Boca Raton, FL
Categories: Ask Bridget Q&A
Bobbi, I don’t mind that you will post my answer. I’m glad to see your interest in science. Flowers have a pre-set or pre-determined life that is established by theRead more »
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Dear Bridget, Why do cut flowers die when they are put into sugar?, I have been doing the experiment in school and I observed it for 4 days, the cut flower in sugar and water started dying almost immediately and the one without sugar, just plain water lived longer. Why is this? – Courtney – Statten Island, NY
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Courtney, Likely there was too much bacteria and fungi in the sugar only vase and the xylem tubes (that carry water up the stem) got clogged. Here’s more: Flowers haveRead more »
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Dear Bridget, I learned a lot just from reading other people’s questions and your great answers. As an added treat, you also gave glorious suggestions…Here’s my question; Are there any books on the market that show and explain tabletop arrangements for events, get-togethers, dinners, etc? It seems that when there are garden club luncheons, tea parties, training get-togethers,meetings, etc., it takes me days struggling to design the perfect table. Your suggestions make it so simple…Still, I would like to have a book that shows what the possibilities are to creating awesome tabletop arrangements with simplicity.- Dottie – Stephens City, VA
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Dottie, Thanks so much for reading (and it’s nice to have a fan!). Inspiration is everywhere, not just in the books. There are some great floral design books on theRead more »
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Dear Bridget, I have just completed a science experiment on fresh Gerbera flowers. I used eight different liquids, and my results were as followed: the longest lasting one was sugar + water then plan water then salt + water then orange juice then coffee + water then fertilizer + water then alcohol and last ‘Listerine’ a mouth freshener I was wondering, if you could help explain my results, and what do Gerbera flowers need to live? Thank you very much! Luv, – Kat
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Kat, Another fun science project! Gerberas, like many other flowers, need a food source and water. While the plant provides this, removing flowers from the plant creates a challenge forRead more »
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Dear Bridget, When I receive lilies from my wholesaler, and they open up, there is the yellow part of the center that leaves a messy powder on anything they come in contact with. Is it harmful to the flower if I remove that part?- Lori – Harrison, NE
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Lori, The yellow “powder” is pollen. It really isn’t harmful, but it will stain fingers and clothing. I will often remove anthers (the structure that holds the pollen grains) justRead more »
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Dear Bridget, I read your article about creating a colorful bouquet by using food color to dye carnations, my question is, will this only work with carnations or any white flower. I’ve seen tinted roses and wondered if the same process was used. Thanks.- Pamela – Chicago, IL
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Pam, It will work for most white flowers, and you can get some crazy color combinations if you tint or color other flowers that are non-white. The key is toRead more »
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Dear Bridget, I am a tenth grader and for my science fair project I am doing “How will dyed water effect the health and appearance of white carnations?” I was wondering how exactly the carnation will absorb the dye and how it will change the color of the flower petals?- Brittany – Waldo, OH
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Brittany, If you use food coloring, it will not affect the health of the flower. The color will be dissolved in the vase water and taken up through the xylemRead more »
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Dear Bridget, Why do flowers need leaves?- Marquee
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Marquee, Flowers really don’t need leaves once they’re cut from the stem. A flower doesn’t have enough chlorophyll (green pigment) to produce enough food to sustain itself. The leaves areRead more »
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Dear Bridget, My friend and I are doing a science fair project for school. And we wanted to know was, what do the flower packets that are given by the florists contain? This is an important part of our project and so far we have not been able to find the answer. If you could E-mail me back ASAP that would be great. Thank you.- Carrie – Louiville, KY
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Carrie, The packets contain a source of food (sugar) and an acidifying agent (something to lower the pH of the water). They are in a balanced combination for flowers andRead more »
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Dear Bridget, What is the meaning of white carnations, and purple and lilac pompons? Just wanted to know if it meant friendship or what do they represent.- Ashley – Toccoa, GA
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Ashley, We’ve long lost the art of sending flowers with meanings as once was done, especially in Victorian times. Thus, some flowers will have multiple meanings, depending on the sourceRead more »
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