Here is the answer that I sent in to the Mad Scientists Network.
Dave Williams
Science Department Chair
Valencia Community College, East Campus
701 N. Econlockhatchee Trail
Orlando, FL 32825
Email (preferred): profdhw at aol.com
Email (institutional): dwilliams at valencia.cc.fl.us
407-299-5000 Ext. 2443
FAX: 407-299-5000; press "1" then enter 2437
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WHAT IS IN THE WHITE POWDER IN THE LITTLE PACKAGE THAT COMES WITH ROSES??
This question took me aback a bit at first but after regrouping I asked
myself: "What do I know about keeping cut flowers?" I had heard that an
aspirin, placed in the vase, would help. Also, the simple sugar glucose (table
sugar is a chemical combination of two simple sugars, glucose and fructose)
was a good additive. But what WAS in that white powder?
I went to the florist section of the local supermarket. There, I found (with
the help of an attendant) a small packet of white power designed to be put in
the water with cut flowers.
I used the 1-800-555-1212 toll free information number to find the
1-800-323-3689 number of Floralife, Inc. in Burr Ridge, Illinois 60521 (the
manufacturer of the powder in the small packet from the supermarket). There, a
nice lady told me that the powder contained dextrose (another name for
glucose) and an acidifier. I asked her what the acidifier was and she told me
that the information was proprietary and that it was keep secret. Aspirin
(also known as acetylsalicylic acid) is, of course, a potent acidifier.
The nice lady at Floralife suggested that readers of this answer might like to
send for Floralife's Science Fair Packet, which is free for the asking. Just
call the 800 number given above or send a request in writing to the above
address.
