Fresh Endings

By: Rebeca Garcia, Mawi Mawi,

Andrea Haines

Why did we choose to test this?

Most of us love
flowers:
Gifts
Food
Religious/funerals
Decoration
Apology
Crafts

History Behind It
Ancient Egypt (2500 BC)
Vases & Decoration
Rome and Greece
Religious & Decoration
China Medicinal &
Food

Flowers Used

Ros
e
Gerbera
Peruvian
Lily

Chrysanthe
mum

Peruvian Lily
Native to South America Andes region
Vase Life: Long lasting (Flower: about 1 week,
Stem: blooms for up to 2 weeks)
Storage Temperature: 36-38F
Ethylene sensitive
Low maintenance

Chrysanthemum
Originated in China

Easy to grow and care

Not sensitive to ethylene
Ethylene (C2H4) is a plant hormone,
growth regulator, and a potentially
harmful pollutant of ornamental crops.
A.K.A death hormone, because it
promotes the aging and ripening of
many fruits and flowers.

Gerbera
Highly susceptible to bacteria blockage
causes heads to droop. Must re-cut stems and
replenish food/water every 1-2 days
Native to Africa, South America and Asia
Long vase life (proper care)
Many fertility problems are pH related.
pH should not rise above 6.2 or below 5.5.
High pH typically results in micronutrient
deficiency
Deficient in iron and manganese (unlike

Roses

Cultivation began 5,000 years ago - China

Main supply - water
Transports nutrients
Rich color
Sturdy petals

Considered summer flowers (do better in

lukewarm water)
absorb their food and water more efficiently

PH of 5.6 - 5 acidic environments (clay base

soils)
Remove leaves or thorns below water level
Delicate

Household Preservatives
Listerine

Prevents bacteria growth

We thought it had sugar in

it

Aspirin

Sugar

Anticoagulant
Fights
Bacteria
Nutrients
travel freely

Popular
Feeder

Listerine
Active ingredient: Sodium Fluoride 0.0221 %
Inactive ingredients: Water, alcohol
(10.5%), sorbitol solution, hydrogen
peroxide, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor
oil, flavors, poloxamer 407, sodium
saccharin, phosphoric acid, disodium
phosphate, sucralose

Listerine
Inactive Ingredients

Active Ingredient

Sodium Fluoride (NCI04) inorganic salt

Binds to calcium ions
(prevents tooth corrosion by
acids)
Prevents acid production
(related to oral bacteria)
Other uses: insecticide,
fluorinate water, wood
preservative, and cleaning
compounds.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) - strong oxidizing agent

(ripening effect), bleach, and medicinal anti-infective

Poloxamer 407 - a surfactant allowing oils to mix with water.

Sodium saccharine - artificial sweetener. Research showed

to be carcinogenic in 1977

Phosphoric acid - used in dentistry as an etching solution,

to clean and roughen the surfaces of teeth

Other uses: make

fertilizers, detergents, and
food processing

Aspirin
Active ingredient:
Anti-inflammatory agent
(no steroids)
Acetylsalicylic acid
decreases synthesis of
prostaglandin
Prostaglandins:
potent hormone-like
substance, produced
in response to
trauma, may affect
blood pressure and
metabolism in smooth

acetylsalicylic acid
Inactive Ingredients:
Cellulose (long chain
linked sugar
molecules)
component of plant
cell that makes stems
strong.
Starch: All plants
contain starch
Plants use to store
excess glucose

Sugar
Chemical formula: C12H22O11
Obtained commercially from SUGARCANE,
sugar beet, and other plants
Used extensively as food and sweetener
Nothing else but fructose and glucose
Is in flowers and plants already!

Flower Anatomy

Cut Flower Needs!

Quickly place in water
Cut stems under water (assures no air enters the stem)
Remove extra foliage - it creates bacteria and limits the available
carbohydrates
Use a flower preservative
a preservative should have mixture of sucrose (sugar); acidifier, an
inhibitor of microorganisms; and a respiratory inhibitor. Sucrose serves as
a source of energy. An acidifier makes the pH of the water more acid (as
when in soil). A microorganism growth inhibitor is perhaps the most
important part of a floral preservative.

Keep them cool

Clean: check the water level ; hint: 1/3 of the length of the flower
stem.

Question: What
home product
works best to keep
cut flowers last
longer?

Round #1

Claim: We believe
that the Listerine
will be the best
product to keep
the flowers last
longer.

Evidence
Data/Observations after 15 Days:

Evidence

Round #1 Conclusion
Our claim was not supported
Listerine - too harsh for flowers (even our teeth!)
It contains microorganism inhibitors (kill bacteria), artificial
sweeteners, ripening agents. (Advice: use an organic mouth
wash)

Aspirin too harsh as well!

It hollowed out the steam, leaving it empty inside. Has a very
small amount of starch and cellulose

Sugar - flowers were fresher (lasted longer)

Although it does not have a bacteria inhibitor, it kept flowers
alive by providing them with energy (sugar = energy source)

Round #2
Question: How would
using distilled water
affect the result of the
experiment?
Claim: The distilled
water will help the
flowers
stay fresh longer.

This round was tested with Roses

and Gerbera flowers due to lack of
availability

Our
Variable:
Distilled
Water

Evidence

Data/Observations after 15 Days:

AFTER TWO
WEEK:

AFTER A
WEEK:

DAY ONE:

Distille
d
Rose & Gerbera
with Listerine &
Sugar

Distille
d
Rose & Gerbera
with Listerine &
Sugar

Rose & Gerbera

with
Listerine & Sugar
Distille
d

Distille
d

Evidence

Comparison of Data Between Tap and

Distilled
Water:
After Two
Day
Weeks!

One!
The result of Peruvian Lily tested
with Listerine dissolved tap water
within 15 days

The result of Gerbera tested with

Listerine dissolved in tap water
within 15 days

Round #2 Conclusion
Our claim was not supported
Distilled water
Purified water
Rigorous filtration process
Striped from natural minerals

Tap water
Intended for drinking
Comes from a municipal source
Safe for human consumption
No added ingredients

VS

Digging a Little Deeper

What effects does distilled water have on
plants?
Distillation removes all minerals, chemicals and
contaminants (some required by plants to grow)
Contaminants: Inorganic minerals, metals, etc.

http://www.ehow.com/video_4774878_do-distilled-wate
r-regularwater_.html

Distillation Process

Plants Need Minerals!

Minerals needed to keep plants alive:
Nitrates
Phosphates
Potassium compounds
Magnesium compounds

Mineral

Element
supplied

Why needed

Extra Higher
Tier
information

Nitrates

Nitrogen, N

For proteins,
which are
needed for cell
growth

Nitrogen is
needed to make
amino acids for
proteins

Phosphates

Phosphorus, P

For respiration
and growth

Phosphorus is
needed to make
DNA and cell
membranes

Potassium
compounds

Potassium, K

For respiration
and
photosynthesis

Potassium is
needed in
enzymes
involved in
respiration and
photosynthesis

Magnesium
compounds

Magnesium, Mg For
photosynthesis

Magnesium is
needed to make

Minerals Found in Tap Water

Calcium
Sulphate,
Magnesium,
Sodium and
Potassium
Nitrates

Chlorine

Fluoride

Occurs naturally especially where the

water flows through limestone or chalk.
Naturally occurring as a result of the passage of
water through minerals.

Occur naturally from both mineral and soil

processes and from agricultural activity; where
present they are removed by sophisticated
treatment or reduced to safe levels by mixing
with low-nitrate water.
Small amounts are added to the water as it
leaves the treatment works to kill any harmful
bacteria present and to keep the water safe on
its way to your tap.
Occurs naturally in some sources; is added to

Round #3
Question: How
would adding a
penny to the water
of cut flowers affect
the result of the
experiment?
Claim: Cut flowers
will stay fresher
longer by adding
the penny.

Evidence
Data/Observations after 15 Days:

Evidence

Evidence
Pennies changed
Pennies with
Listerine = darker
Pennies with
Aspirin = reddish
and worn out
Pennies with Sugar
= no change

Round #3 Conclusion
Our claim was not supported
Pennies: composed of 97.5% zinc and only 2.5% copper
Copper binds to proteins in fungi and algae
It damages the cells causing them to leak and die

Zinc helps plants produce chlorophyll

Chlorophyll green pigment that is necessary in order for plants to convert
carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight, into oxygen and glucose
Zinc deficiency causes death to flowers
No such thing as too much zinc

Other factors: harsh chemicals in Listerine and Aspirin

PH on Flowers
PH (Power of Hydrogen)
Hydrogen ion concentration
Flowers pH level - 5.5 6
Too low pH levels kill
flowers (unless acidic
base)
Clay - best soil for
flowers (pH level 6)
PH level on water after
the experiment using
pennies 6

Cool Example!

Further Questions
1. How would adding a penny to the water of cut flowers
without any other products in it affect the results?
2. How would adding an older penny (perhaps the 1940s)
affect the results?

References
Flower Background/Round #1:

References
Distilled Water/Round #2:
BCC (2014). Plants Need Minerals. Retrieved from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/add_ocr_gateway/gr
een_world/plantmineralsrev1.shtml
Vanveen, Y. (n.d.) Do Plants Grow Better with Distilled Water or
Regular Water. Retrieved from
http://www.ehow.com/video_4774878_do-distilled-water-regular-water_
.html
Whats in your tap water? (n.d.) Northumbrian Water. Retrieved from
https://www.nwl.co.uk/_.../3124_Web_PDF__What's_in_your_tap_water.pdf_Reader

References
Pennies/pH/ Round #3:
What is the composition of a U.S. penny? http
://www.usmint.gov/about_the_mint/fun_facts/?action=fun_facts2
What makes copper a fungicide? How does copper help flowers last longer? https
://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/bp/bp-69-w.pdf
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cuso4gen.html
Why we need fungicides? http
://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/topics/Pages/fungicides.aspx
Is too much zinc bad for flowers? http
://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/zinc-and-plant-gro
wth.htm
Definition of pH? http
://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/acidbase/faq/what-is-pH.shtml