What Can You Use to Change the Color of a Rhododendron Flower?

The Rhodendron Plant

• First brought to Pennsylvania in the mid 1700s, the plant can now be found throughout the country. While its preference for cool, humid climates and acidic soil makes it difficult to grow in some areas, its long-lasting blooms and brilliant colors make any extra care more than worthwhile. Members of the rhododendron family include azaleas, which are deciduous plants that often spread out more than 8 feet while true rhododendrons are evergreens that can grow to 80 feet.

Soil pH

• A study recorded by G.M. Idorn in the "Journal of the American Rhododendron Society"

  noted changes in rhododendron colors after hard winters in Scotland and when the pH of the soil changed. This study reported paler yellows and bluer blues, attributed to different potting materials or the harsh winter or both. Further studies showed that increased soil acidity due to heightened industrialization coupled with the use of some mulches was likely responsible for the color changes.

Colored Water

• Many florists have long offered green carnations or other colors not found in nature for St. Patrick's Day or other special occasions. Anyone can apply their techniques to flowers of any color, although the color changes in white flowers are most dramatic. All that is needed for these changes are freshly cut flowers and containers filled with colored water The colored water is the result of adding food coloring. Since it will take a while for the water to move all the way up the stem to the flower, let the flower stay in the colored water for at least one day.

Other Color Changes

• It's also possible to have multicolored blooms by splitting the stems vertically and placing each half in a vase with colored water. Each part of the stem will draw up the water from its vase; if each vase has different colored water, the flower should have two different colors. Allow at least a day to ensure all coloring is complete.