The secret to the crystal growth is in the saturated crystal solution. Once the garden has been slotted together, place it into a plastic dish containing the saturated solution (all included). The solution is then drawn up the special paper trees, mountain and garden by capillary action. The increased surface area at the extremities of the garden shapes results in a greater evaporation rate of the solvent leaving the crystal solute behind on the surface of the special blotting paper. Water soluble dyes in the tips of the garden help create a fantastic colourful effect.