Materials Required:
l A winter day
l Forsythia shrub
l Pruning shears
l Large vase
l Water
Procedure:
- You might have seen forsythia shrubs ! With pruning shears, cut a few branches from the bush and bring them indoors.
- Fill a large vase with water. Place the branches upright in the water and set the vase near a sunny window. If there is a radiator close by, so much the better. In a few days you will see bright yellow flowers along the length of the branches.
This Is What Happens:
You have just played a trick on Mother Nature. In the fall months, forsythia branches form buds that contain flowers. These buds lie dormant all winter long, and with the spring’s warmth and moisture, the buds grow and develop into beautiful flowers. You speeded up this process by bringing the branches in from the cold. The water in the vase and the warmth and light of the room fooled the forsythia branches into thinking it was spring.
