Things You'll Need:
- 4 tbsp. salt plus 4 tbsp. 4 tbsp. laundry bluing (available as Mrs. Stewart's; see Additional Resources) 4 tbsp. water 4 tbsp. ammonia Food coloring Clay shards or charcoal briquettes Shallow glass bowl Measuring cup
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Step 1
Grow a salt crystal garden. Make a saturated solution. Combine salt, bluing, water and ammonia into a measuring cup. Use caution with clothing, skin and eyes as your pour the ingredients. Coat a shallow glass bowl with petroleum jelly to assure crystallization on the porous material and not on the bowl.
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Step 2
Place clay shards or briquettes in a shallow glass bowl. If using charcoal, soak briquettes in water for 15 minutes before pouring the solution. Also, charcoal needs to have the solution level remain at least halfway up the briquettes. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. salt over the porous material the first and second days to promote crystallization.
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Step 3
Pour bluing solution over prepared porous materials. Crystals will form in about 6 hours and will continue to form for 3 days. Humidity, temperature and air currents affect how long the crystal garden will flourish. Steady and warm temperature, low humidity and no drafts are best conditions.
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Step 4
Maintain your crystal garden. Add more bluing solution on the third day to promote more growth. Do not allow solution to come in contact with formed crystals. Eventually, crystals will grow on the bowl.
