Chalk-dusted Lilies

An old lady I knew told me that in the 1930s and '40s florists used to sell white lilies dusted in coloured chalk, to make colours other than white. It meant that there was a greater range of decorative colours to choose from, and, apparently, they did look very pretty.

I don't know if florists would still do this, as plant breeding has come a long way in half a century. So many colours and shapes are now available. So many cultivars and hybrids, etc.

Do they still sell those dyed blue and green carnations? I haven't been to a florist shop for so long, now. It's lots of fun putting food dye into some water, and watching a white carnation change colour. You can even slice the stem, vertically, and have two (or more!) separate stem sections in different food dye colours. Lots of fun for children to learn about osmosis.