Which Stemmed Flower Lasts The Longest In Water after picked?

Research Questions:

• Are the flowers “dead” when they are cut from the bush or tree?
• How do flowers draw up water?

Nearly all flowers are grown in soil. Soil is a stable ground for flowers as soil contains nutrients that the flowers need to bloom. After the flowers are cut, they have lost this life support. To keep them from wilting, you need to allow them to draw up water from the stem up to the bloom. But are some flowers better than others in surviving outside of soil? In this experiement, we will compare roses, tulips, and carnations.

Materials:

• Freshly-picked long-stemmed roses, tulips, and carnations
• At least three vases
• Water

Experimental Procedure

1. Fill each vase with the same amount of water- ½ to ¾ full.
2. With some good scissors, snip a small chunk of the stems off at an angle for each stem.
3. Put a few stems of the roses, carnations, and tulips in a separate vases.
4. Change the water every 48 hours.
5. Observe each type of flower for 1-2 weeks. Which one do you notice wilting first?

Suggested Chart

Terms/Concepts: Blooms; Parts of a Flower; Plant nutrients; Water

References:

• http://worldwideflowersdirect.com/care_roses.aspx
• http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower.htm
• Reynolds, Joan; Tampion, John (1983).Double flowers: a scientific study. London: [Published for the] Polytechnic of Central London Press [by] Pembridge Press. p.41.ISBN978-0-86206-004-6.