depression plant
How about growing a plant neither kids nor adults can kill? Not actually a plant, the Depression Plant, is more of a science project that turns coal into a coral like plant. These were popular in the depression when it was too expensive to put plants on the table as a centerpiece, but coal was available in many households.
To make a depression plant you will need the following ingredients:
One piece of coke or coal placed in a shallow dish such a saucer. You can put several pieces of coal on the bottom for a “coal garden”. Just increase the ingrediants below to match the coal.
Pour the following over the piece of coal. (If you don’t have a coal stove, look for coal around Christmas being sold as stocking stuffers). Do not let small children make this alone, since the ammonia can be harmeful.
2 tablespoons of clear ammonia
5 tablespoons of water
6 tablespoons of laundry bluing (a laundry supply product) This was available in the Depression, but to bring this up to date, just use any blue clothes dye, Mrs. Stewarts Blueing can be found at many grocery stores in the detergent section.
6 tablespoons of non-iodized salt
2 drops of red food coloring
After you have added all of the ingredients place the dish in a window or some other place promoting evaporation. Add the same ingrediants again over the coal the second day.
Keep adding water so as to keep the level below most of the piece of coal so that the chemicals will crystallize on the coal making a growth appear above the level of the water resembling coral.
This Depression plant will be a cheap project and can be used as a learning tool to talk about the Depression.
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