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Watch a white tulip turn two different colors at the same time. By placing each half of a split stem into differently colored water, you can observe how water travels through a plant's vascular system.
Materials
- 1 white tulip
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
- 2 clear glasses or jars
- Water
- Scissors or knife (adult supervision required)
Instructions
- Prepare the colored water. Fill one glass halfway with water and add red food coloring. Fill the second glass halfway with water and add green food coloring.
- With adult supervision, cut about 2 cm (1 inch) off the bottom of the tulip stem at an angle to help it absorb water better.
- Carefully cut the lower half of the stem lengthwise into two equal halves — about halfway up the stem.Be gentle so the stem doesn’t split too high or break apart.
- Put one half of the split stem in the red water and the other half in the green water.
- Leave the tulip in the colored water for a few hours or overnight. Watch as the petals begin to change color. One side turns red, and the other side turns green!
- Take photos or draw what you see.The color pattern shows that each side of the stem has its own xylem tubes, carrying colored water independently.
What’s going on?
- The tulip stem contains tiny tubes called xylem, which carry water and nutrients upward from the roots.
- Capillary action allows water to move up through these narrow tubes, even against gravity.
- By splitting the stem, you separate the xylem pathways, so each side absorbs a different colored water.The petals on each side show the color of the water that traveled through that half of the stem!
Level
- Beginner
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