Anyone remember growing coal flowers years ago ? I have a hankering to make some again, but where the heck do I get some coal this time of the year? I'm in Auckland and only need a few pieces.
Lynne

Great, I've just found a source for coal, but I have to buy 25kgs......only cheap so dosn't matter, but if anyone else wants some........

Hello Lynne

What are coal flowers?:-(

A.

Hi Alaine,
Will post the recipe later when I get time..........but basically, it's coal fed with chemicals, harmless stuff like ink and salt and amonia from memory. Grown in a glass bowl......the chemicals combine and grow these beautiful crystals forming "flowers", something akin to cauliflower form. Kids especially love the experiment. Esp big ones like me ! It can be kept going for a long time if fed every 2 days. More later today when I get home and find the recipe.

Great thanks Lynne.
Always looking for fun kids stuff for the holidays.
A.

That sounds a great idea can't wait for the recipe to be posted, than you.

Here'tis....Coal Flowers. My ole Gramma got us kids doing this about 50 odd years ago.

Use a glass bowl approx 20cm and into this put 4 or 5 pieces of washed and dried coal. The shinier the better.
Mix 2 tbsps Common salt, not Iodised, 15grs blue washing powder, or prussian blue, [available from some chemists ] 1x small bottle red ink, 3 tbsp clear household ammonia [as against cloudy, don't sniff!!! ] and 3 tblsp water. Pour this mix over and place in a warm place. For eg, my kitchen bench gets morning sun and it's fine there.Growth should start in about 24hrs. Every second day, after growth begins add 1x tsp salt and 1x tbsp water mixed together.
Very Important:
Pour salt and water mix carefully down the sides of the bowl NOT over the coal, so as not to disturb the coal flowers.
This plant is pink and white but you can use other coloured ink. More ink can also be added to the brine feed if colour starts to fade.
Have fun folks, and would love your feed back further down the line. This is especially nice for kids because the action starts in a day or so and it grows quite quickly.
Any further ? I would be happy to help. Ohhhhhh, Spose I'd better start thinking about the food dept with the family looming.
Cheers

That would have to be genuine coal and not the "coke" or so called coal sold in bags in supermarkets I would imagine...... right? They sound fascinating and would love to do some too. We have quite abit of coal found on the beach, is that good.
MUST get the "ingredients when I next shop ~ grand daughter coming over for anniversary weekend which will be a very good experiment to start then.
I can't wait :-)))))))

No Idea about "coal found on the Beach" Just real coal.........like from a mine. Defineately not coke !!!

Lynne, I asked a chemist years ago for some prussian blue for coal flowers and he just about had a blue fit. He told me prussian blue is cyanide!
I can remember my Nana always having a bowl of "flowers". I have never been able to grow them using "blue bags". Doubt if you can still get them.
Lyn.

Lyn,
As I stated in the original recipe, blue washing pdr is fine, or leave either out altogether. Still works.
Be adventurous. Add other coloured inks too. Not intending to poison anyone, just suggesting a fun thing to do. !
Cheers

Just done an extensive search on Perussian blue........it's all just basically Iron. "Non Toxic" comes up often. Do a Google search, anyone who is nervous. Or for goodness sake just use blue washing pdr.

Do you mean any soap powder that is blue, is this right

Yes, Surf or suchlike.
Cheers

Thanks for that. I too remember them at my Nan's and my memory of them reminds me of fairies down at the bottom of the garden, magical.