[Metallic H.]

Hi my chemistry group is trying to make a silicate garden (also known as chemical garden) by adding hydrated copper (II) sulfate and hydrated ferrous (II) sulfate into sodium silicate solution (also known as water glass), hoping that the metal solids would form stalagmites and grow upwards. However, nothing happened after we added the crystals into sodium silicate.

I have checked that the metal salts are hydrates rather than powders and sodium silicate is dissolved in distilled water (both with and without heating). Theoretically there should be a reaction occurring but I just couldn't figure out what went wrong. Could someone help me by pointing out some misconceptions or possible experimental errors please? Thanks!

[Borek]

The only thing I can think of is the concentration of the silicate solution - it should be quite high.