A white carnation can turn pink, blue, green, or almost any shade you choose, but what is actually happening inside the flower?

In Episode 44, Dragonetti Florist takes a closer look at the science behind color-changing carnations and the natural process that allows dyed water to travel from the stem all the way into the petals. This simple experiment makes it easy to see how flowers continue moving water even after they have been cut.

In this episode, you’ll learn 🎧

• How capillary action helps water move through a carnation stem
• What xylem vessels do inside cut flowers
• How transpiration helps pull water toward the petals
• Why white carnations show color changes better than darker flowers
• How stem length, flower freshness, and dye concentration can affect the results
• How a split stem can create a two-tone carnation

We’ll also walk through the basics of trying the experiment at home, including how to prepare the colored water, trim the stems, and watch for the first signs of color. Some carnations can begin showing changes within a few hours, while stronger color usually develops over the next day or two.

If you enjoy learning more about how flowers work, tips from a local florist in Brooklyn who works with fresh flowers every day can make even a simple bunch of carnations more interesting.

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