Elephant Toothpaste--Science Experiment Thursday!

So this experiment can either be a lot of fun or a really big mess so strap in and hold on.

So, you want to make Elephant toothpaste. Well, it is your lucky day because I have what you need right here.

For starters, Elephant toothpaste is not toothpaste at all and has nothing to do with elephants except the size of the reaction. So without boring you anymore, here is what you will need.

• plastic bottle (smaller neck bottles create greater pressure)
• Hydrogen Peroxide (3% works fine, 8% is much better)--found at hair supply stores
• Dry Active yeast (this is the catalyst for the reaction)
• Dish Soap (use one without antibacterial ingredients)--degreaser only
• warm water
• A small bowl (for the yeast)
• Food coloring (if desired)
• A sheet pan to catch the mess.

It is a very long list but trust me, you need everything here. Once it comes together, it is amazingly fun, and a joy to watch!

First thing you need to do is activate the yeast with some warm water. This is just like when you make bread. I used about 3TBSP of warm water to an entire packet of yeast. Let that go for 5 min.

Next, meausre out 4 ounces of hydrogen peroxide. Whether you use 3% or 8%, it doesn't matter. You just need to make sure that if you want a stronger reaction, you get the 8% (stores sell it as 20 vol). There are recipes for this experiment that call for over 30%. Those are the explosive ones you see all over the web. Those mixes do not include yeast and should be handled with caution.

Add in 2 ounces of dish soap to the hydrogen peroxide and then (if you want) swirl in some color. Pour that mixture carefully into your bottle and set it in you sheet pan.Now you are ready to go.

Take your activated yeast and pour it into the bottle and watch for the reaction.

So What is Happening?

The yeast acts as the catalyst for the reaction between the hydrogen peroxide. It speeds up the release of oxygen and that forms the bubbles from the soap. With peroxide at higher concentrations, this reaction happens almost all at once causing violent bursts of bubbles and steam. In the end, the catalyst should be the only thing left in the bottle. 

Overall it is a really cool reaction.

Here is mine that I did with only 3% hydrogen peroxide. It was easy and very safe. 

My next adventure might be to up the percentage!!

Until the world revolves again....B

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My Life Has Been "Bonsai-ed"

So this Labor Day, I was fortunate to get to spend some time at the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, Louisiana. This festival is really one of my favorites and maybe that has to do with it being in my hometown.

If you want to watch what went on this weekend, you can see it here, on my Youtube page.

While shopping around the crafts, I stumbled upon a booth selling bonsai trees. I have seen this setup before, over the many years that I walked the festival crafts. I think the love of plants comes from my grandmother, my mother's mother. She was an avid gardener and a bit of a chemist and botanist. Plants were her thing and if she was alive today, I am sure she would be procuring any and every plant that sprouted from the Earth. That was just the way she was.

So in seeing these bonsai trees, I decided I had to finally have one. I got a Juniper bonsai and it looks like this.
So the Juniper bonsai is from the pine family and unlike what everyone believes, they are not in fact tiny trees. They are normal sized plants that are made to look tiny.

The Juniper is a hardy tree that is good in almost any climate as long as it doesn't freeze. They also require little watering, only when the soil is noticeably dry. They are pretty much the perfect plant for people who like to be their own designer. My bonsai has already been through the process of wiring so it is up to me to keep it looking its best. What that means is, is that I have to water it (like it is raining) fertilize it, pinch off undesired shoots, and re-pot when it gets bigger. It is a pretty simple process and it happens to be a very fun adventure. For those that don't have the luxury of pre-wired bonsais, you will have to guide your tiny tree in the direction you want it to grow. Getting that desired look is done through thick wires that wrap around the trunk and branches. You have to do that before winter because after that, the tree goes dormant.

And just in case you are wondering, bonsais are not an indoor plant. Okay, the tropical versions of a bonsai are but the ones you normally see aren't. Right now, my little Juniperus is sitting on my window sill in the sun but it will soon be transferred outside to live its days like a true tree. If you ever get the chance to purchase a bonsai, I say do it. They are wonderful to look at and are really cool to decorate. Mine has a tiny bridge on it with fake water underneath.

See you when the world revolves again...B



      JUNIPER BONSAI CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

• Re-pot: Every two or three years in early April. Sign to watch for include roots growing in circles in the bottom of the container or the soil level rising up out of the container.
• Soil: A bonsai soil that drains well with a pH of 5.0 to 6.5
• Fertilize: Miracid or Peters every tow to three weeks in spring and autumn. Switch brands to pick up trace elements your plants may be lacking.
• Prune: Continually pinch overgrown buds to encourage secondary branching. heavy branches can be removed in the spring and if necessary in the fall.
• Train: Anytime when warm. Remove all wire before winter.
• Insects: Maples are relatively pest resistant, although one occasionally encounters a chewing insect which should be removed by hand
• Insects/Diseases:  Spider mites and bagworms require immediate attention so hose off with water and then spray with Safer Soap. To prevent root-rot, drench the soil two or three-times-a-year with fungicide.
• Culture: Cuttings can be taken in early spring and kept moist in perlite. Most species grow very slowly.
• Watering: Do not over-water especially during the winter months as root-rot will kill the tree. Early morning watering is preferred and again if the tree dries out during the heat of the day.
• Light: Prefers full sun.
• Wintering: Junipers are very hardy, however, protect pots and roots in extreme temperatures.