Indoors....
ROOT VIEW PROJECT:
You will need:
A glass jar
Paper towels
Black construction paper
Tape
A few seeds (beans work very well)
Directions:
. Fill the jar with paper towels positioned so that the towels touch the jar all the way around.
. Push the seeds down between the towel and the glass with a pencil or spoon handle.
. Pour a small amount of water into the jar. After the paper towels have absorbed enough water to make them damp pour out any excess water.
. Roots need darkness. Make a sleeve covering of black construction paper the height of the jar that will easily slip on and off for viewing.
. Set the jar in a sunny window. Check the paper towels daily and maintain dampness.
. As tiny stems begin to appear above, there is also action happening below. Remove the sleeve often to view the development of roots.
. Plants may be transplanted to soil after the first leaves appear.
TERRARIUMS .... or Jungle in a Jar:
You will need:
2-Liter bottle with lid (empty and clean)
Charcoal
Potting soil
Seeds for planting (slow growing shady plants work best)
Clear tape
Directions:
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Be sure to clean out your plastic bottle with hot soapy water. Remove any labels from the outside. Fingernail polish remover will remove any leftover glue.
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Cut off the bottom of the bottle about 3-4 inches from the bottom, leaving about 2/3 of the bottle. Try your best to cut around the bottle in a straight line. The top will be used to form the lid.
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Pour a small layer of charcoal into the bottom section that you just cut out.
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Fill with potting soil about 1/4-1/2 from the top.
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Plant with seeds or small plants of your choice.
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Water thoroughly (do not saturate), and place top of bottle over the bottom section to form a terrarium.
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Place clear tape around your terrarium to secure in place.
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Your plant is ready to put in an area where you can watch it grow If the jar starts to fog up, remove the lid for a while until it clears up. Do not place your plant in direct sunlight.
FROM THE TOP:
Take a raw carrot.
Trim off any greens.
Cut about two inches from the top.
Put it cut-side down in a saucer half filled with water.
Place in a sunny window.
The carrot will grow a new green top
Other vegetables that make good plants are beets and turnips.
(This activity can also be done with a pineapple top )