Flower Experiments With Which One Can Drink the Water Faster

Things You'll Need

• In order to get started, you will need to select some plants. It doesn't matter what type of plants you use, but since this is a water project, you will want to avoid plants that do not require a lot of water, such as cacti. Choose four different kinds of flowering plants, and use three of each kind. You will need 12 identical, clear plastic containers. You will also need blue food coloring, a ruler and a permanent marker.

Preparation

• Use the marker and the ruler to draw lines across each of the containers at 1/2-inch intervals. Make the first line 2 inches below the lip of the container. Pour water into each of the containers, filling them to the top of the first line. Add two drops of food coloring to each container. This will help make the water easier to see, so you can measure the levels in each container.

Observe and Report

• Place the plants in the containers. Note the date and time in a logbook. Make sure that all of the plants are placed together so that they are all exposed to the same conditions, such as light, temperature and sound. Over the course of three to four days, monitor the water level in each of the containers. Make sure to record the data each time you check the water levels and note the time and day. Use graphing paper and colored pencils to chart the water level for each of the plants. Take the average number of inches the water level dropped for each type of flower to determine if some flowers used water faster than others.

Cut or Uncut Stems

• There are plenty of other experiments you can use to see how plants use water. Choose one type of flower. Again, the specific type does not matter, but avoid arid species. Use six plants. Cut the stems of three of them and leave the other three as they are. Mark lines on six containers at 1/2-inch intervals. Add two drops of blue food coloring and eliminate other variables, such as light and heat. Periodically check the water levels of the containers over the next four days. Record the results and analyze the data to determine if flowers use water faster with cut stems versus uncut stems.

Heat and Light

• Instead of cut stems, you can try changing other variables, as well. Place three of the plants in an area where they are exposed to a great deal of light. Then place the other plants in any area of low light. This can be easily accomplished by putting each group of plants in separate rooms in a house where you are able to adjust the light levels. Control for temperature. Monitor the water levels and record the results. Also try keeping the light level consistent, but expose three of the plants to a higher temperature and three of the plants to a lower temperature. You can control the temperature by placing the plants in two different rooms with different temperatures, such as keeping one set inside an air-conditioned room and the other group in a garage so you can control the light. Note if there are any differences in the rate at which the plants use water.