Grow a crystal garden in a bowl with home ingredients

Here's an amazing experiment you've got to try at home. You'll think there's something magical going on when you see how fast you can make your crystal "garden" grow. This is one garden you'll never need to weed!

Ingredients

Several pieces of charcoal briquettes, coal, brick or sponges

A wide, deep soup bowl or styrofoam plate

2 tablespoons of Mrs. Stewart's Bluing

2 tablespoons of salt

2 tablespoons of water

2 tablespoons of ammonia

Food coloring

Instructions

STEP 1: Break up the briquettes, coal, bricks or sponges into pieces about 1 inch long and 1 1/2 to 2 inches across. Place the pieces into the bottom of the bowl.

STEP 2: Mix the bluing, salt, water and ammonia together in a cup.

STEP 3: Pour the mixture over the pieces in the bowl.

STEP 4: If you want your crystal "flowers" in colors, sprinkle drops of food coloring over the mixture in the bowl.

STEP 5: Set the bowl in a location where it will not be disturbed. DO NOT jar or move the bowl.

STEP 6: Watch your "garden" grow! If the weather is dry, your garden may start to "grow" within an hour or two. Don't worry if it takes longer to get started. A slow garden is sometimes better in the long run.

Explanation

Here's what's going on: A chemical reaction took place. A chemical reaction is a change where a substance is changed into one or more new substances.

KFVS12 and the Southeast Missourian are teaming up for science. Every Tuesday, you'll find an experiment from the KFVS Heartland Science Lab in the Class of 2morrow section of the Southeast Missourian. Grab the ingredients and join KFVS science reporter Jason Lindsey live on KFVS at 5 p.m. every Wednesday. More science experiences can be found at www.kfvs12.com and www.semissourian.com.