Planting Seeds
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We measured the raised bed to determine about how many plants it might be able to accommodate. |
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We learned how to transplant: don’t transplant until the seedlings show their first true leaves, make planting holes in the soil deep enough to accommodate the fully extended roots of the seedlings and wide enough to allow for lowering these seedlings into the holes, press the soil around and into the hole, water thoroughly once it is completely planted. We labeled the plant to identify variety and dates of transplanting. |
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We learned about elements that need to be present for germination. We were most concerned with warmth and moisture. We noticed that most of our seeds germinated within the range of time the seed packets indicated. However, two zinnia seeds never germinated and we discussed why they failed. Students guessed that perhaps the soil dried out or maybe the seeds were planted too deeply. |
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Students learned about phototropism (observed plants leaning toward the sun and had to rotate them daily), photosynthesis, cotyledons and true leaves, and leaf pigmentation. We spent one whole afternoon with Lynne Regan and Simon Mochrie, two Yale scientists. We performed experiments to help us understand more about leaf pigmentation. |