Reeda Earm

CHEM 1010

Iles

3 August 2018

Signature Assignment: The Colors of a Hydrangea Bloom

This research paper will go into more depth as of how the colors of hydrangea blooms are

produced. The bloom of a hydrangea is an inflorescence, their sepals or modified leaves makes

up most of the bloom itself, concealing the small fertile floral portions at the center. The colors of

the hydrangea blooms are what makes the plant stand out. These blooms can range from pink to

blue, though not limited to shades such as lavender, violet, purple in addition to shades such as

green and white. Other possible colors include yellow and orange. Flowers like roses and tulips

comes in a variety of different pigments, though this is not the case for a plant like hydrangea.

The chemical process of a hydrangea is compared to a litmus paper. Similarly, the many

pigments of a hydrangea bloom “acts as a natural pH indicator for the soil in which the plant

grows” (Schreiber). For litmus paper, it is used as a chemical indicator to determine whether a

solution is acidic or basic by the change in colors shown on the paper. “At the molecular level,

acids are proton (or hydrogen ion) donators and bases are proton acceptors in chemical reactions.

When one dips blue litmus paper into an acidic solution (pH < 7, where pH is a measure of the

concentration of hydrogen ions), the paper turns red, whereas red litmus paper changes to blue in

the presence of a basic solution (pH > 7)” (Schreiber).

 The chemical process for a hydrangea bloom is reversed to that of a litmus paper. Blooms

develop sepals that are blue when it is grown in soils that are acidic, but become pink or red

when grown in soils that are neutral to basic. The colors that are shown in the bloom indicates

the pH level of the soils, this makes hydrangeas unique among plants since it has an ability

unlike others.

Going into more depth, the colors of a hydrangea bloom is even more complex than just

the pH level of the soil the plant is grown in. Hydrangea colors depend on how many of

aluminum ions (Al3+) within the soil is available. Though it is the pH level of the soil that

determines the plants’ colors whether or not the plant is taking up aluminum from the soil. If a

plant is red, it is getting aluminum. If it is blue, it is not. “Aluminum ions are mobile in acidic

soil because of the ready availability of other ions they can react with, which can be taken up

into the hydrangea to the bloom...” (Schreiber). In a neutral to basic soil, the aluminum ions

combine with hydroxide ions (OH-) to get a product of aluminum hydroxide, Al(OH)3 which

then causes the hydrangea to take a red-pink like color in its bloom.

Balanced Chemical Equation:

Aluminum + Hydroxide ⟶ Aluminum Hydroxide

Al3+ + 3OH- ⟶ Al(OH)3

One can change the color of a hydrangea from what it is now if one desires to do so, for example,

if the bloom of the hydrangea is blue and they wish it to be red, this can be changed by adding

lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH2)). This will help raise the pH level and have it become a basic

soil which will result in getting the desired color that can take a couple of growing seasons for it
to be visible. To help speed up the process, one can ensure that there is only a small amount of

aluminum in the soil. The following balanced equation is for the process of dolomitic lime.

Balanced Chemical Equation:

Calcium Magnesium Carbonate + Water ⟶ Calcium + Magnesium + Bicarbonate + Hydroxide

CaMgCO3 + H2O ⟶ Ca2+ + Mg2+ + HCO3- + 2OH-

“If dolomitic lime is used, the calcium or magnesium helps displace the hydrogen and aluminum

ion on the soil exchange sites, and the hydroxyl ions react to neutralize these acidic components”

(Mei-Mei). The reaction between the bicarbonate anion with the hydrogen ion formed a weak

acid. This results in the pH level rising and thus, the color red would be possible to develop.

Hydrangeas are one the many topics in chemistry, like many other topics out there, every

one of them are waiting for a solution to be discovered and has an answer that goes into a deeper

connection.

Cited Sources

https://www.americanscientist.org/article/curious-chemistry-guides-hydrangea-colors

https://jedibyknight.com/2013/07/13/hydrangeas-chemistry-in-action/

https://plantaddicts.com/changing-the-color-of-hydrangeas/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmCxU8XY_pE

https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/flowers-and-plants/trees-and-shrubs/how-to-change-hydrangea-

color
Reeda Earm

CHEM 1010

Iles

4 August 2018

Reflection on Learning

There were some connections between this chemistry course and with what I have

learned in an English course that I took two semesters ago (Fall 2017). In English, there were

three main projects: a narrative essay, research paper, and the conclusion. I was taught how to

research for topics and was shown what kind of resources were out there that was available for

students to use. This played a big part on how I worked on the signature assignment. Instead of

me working all by myself, I asked my friends if they could do a quick peer review and I would

listened to their feedbacks. I think that being able to step out and ask for help, is crucial into

becoming a better writer, but also as a learner since you receive different opinions from other

people and see their point of view.

My work on the signature assignment illustrates me as a learner, by helping me expand on

different topics and help me learn new things that I would have probably not known, have I not

done this assignment. It has made me realize that there are many things connected to chemistry

and has also given me a different perspective on the topic that I have chosen. By completing this

assignment, it has shown me that I can get something important as this assignment done when I

set my priorities straight and get rid of unnecessary distractions.

 Looking at the SLCC’s learning outcomes for General Education, there are three out of those

outcomes that I believed I have somewhat achieved. This includes:

1. Communicate effectively.
2. Think critically and creatively.
3. Develop the attitudes and skills for lifelong wellness.

For one, I have achieved this by being able to communicate to my friends about my signature

assignment and be clear of what I am looking for, so that they can help me get to where I want to

be. Two, I used to things that I have learned in this course and chose a topic that seemed out of

the ordinary when you think of chemistry. The knowledge that I used were creating balanced

equations as shown in the signature assignment to help my words shown in a “picture”. Three,

being open to what others have to say and not take it personally and think that I am always right.

This helps me be able to take criticism and also learn new things when I think about it from

another perspective.

The aspect of the signature assignment that has made me want to learn more is the fact

that you can change the colors of the hydrangea blooms because I would like to see it for myself

in person. I think that it would be really magical and inspiring in some way. Inspiring because it

shows that in general if you go out and experience something, then one day you will eventually

see those results. Reflecting on what I have learned about hydrangeas is that they are so different

from other flowers, and being able to learn the chemical process behind it, opened up my

understanding of the plant and why is was so unique.

An “Aha” moment for me was when I realized that procrastination will have its

consequences if I keep doing it. I slowly started to fall behind on school work because I thought

that I could just do it later, but then it eventually started building up more and more. This resulted
in a messed-up sleep schedule since I had to stay up and do the work in order for me to catch up.

Though, I admit that I am still doing it as of now and I think that it will have to be a bigger

consequence in order for me to stop. I think the main reason why I procrastinate is because I

know I will get it done sooner or later which still results in my procrastinating. It really is just

this one big cycle.

Overall, I am glad that I took this course because I have learned many new things about

chemistry, especially with this signature assignment. I am open to taking more chemistry classes

and going more into depth. The signature assignment was honestly fun to do because I love

writing and researching since it teaches me things I have not learned before and I hope in the

future I will be able to do a similar assignment in other classes.