Planting & Tending
Giving your plants the right care they need to grow.
Planting
Day 1
If you order a kit or download any of our activities/investigations, specific growing instructions are included. We recommend the following three growing systems that are particularly classroom friendly.
Wisconsin Fast Plants Watering System
Deli Container Watering System
Bottle Growing System
Germination
Days 2-3
Germination starts with a seed and continues through the first days after a new plant emerges. The seed contains the embryo that grows into a plant. After planting, the seed absorbs water and swells, a root and shoot emerge, and cotyledons (first leaves) begin to photosynthesize.
Germination Tips
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Remember, as your plants continue to grow, keep the water reservoirs filled and adjust the lights to be 5-10 cm from the top leaves.
Seeds planted or placed in the germination Petri dish on a Monday will complete germination during the first week.
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Thin to one plant per cell if using quads, 6 plants per one liter bottle, or 12 plants per 2-liter bottle. If needed, stake plants right away if they begin to bend.
The plant height, number of leaves, number of hairs on leaf margins, and number of flower buds are all examples of measurable traits that can be observed, recorded, and analyzed as Fast Plants® grow and develop.
Tending
Days 2-30
Wisconsin Fast Plants®: Recommended Tending and Pollination
Flowering
Day 12
Flowering is the time when the flower structures can be observed directly and their functions are introduced.
Learning about flower anatomy and each structure’s purpose is important for preparing students to understand and conduct pollination.
Structures and Functions Basics: Flowers and BeesAdvanced Flower Background Information and Activities
Flowering Tips
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Keep flowers from contacting lights directly (they will overheat).
Keep plants below 90°F (32°C) or flowers will become sterile.
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Keep the flowers from directly touching the lights or the heat will likely keep the pollen from developing. Continue to keep water reservoirs filled.
If temperatures in the room are above 90°F (32°C), place a small fan near plants to keep temperatures in the best range, 60 – 90°F (15.5 – 32°C).
