Native Plants
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Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Tuesday - November 10, 2009
From: Kentfield, CA
Region: California
Topic: General Botany
Title: Plant for science experiment from Kentfield CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford
QUESTION:
What is a fast growing plant I should use for a science experiment?ANSWER:
We don't think we have enough information to adequately answer your question. For instance, how "fast-growing"? If the experiment is due next Wednesday, it's probably already too late. We don't know what level science you are working in: high school, graduate school, third grade? Finally, we don't know what principle you hope to prove from your experiment. There are, however, a number of Internet websites on science experiments with plants. We are going to look at several and list below the ones that might have the kind of information you need. Two plants we can think of that have seeds fairly readily available are radishes and dried pinto beans. You can buy small packets of radish seeds at garden stores. Buy a pound of dried pinto beans, soak several of them in a shallow bowl of water, in the light. They will sprout in a few days, and can be transplanted into small pots. Cook the rest of the beans with tomatoes, onions and a little ham.
mgonline.com Plant experiments for kids
sciencemadesimple.com Science projects about plants and botany
lessonplans.com What Happens When Seeds Sprout?
More General Botany Questions
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How is native range changed in the scientific record?
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Can foxglove poison be transmitted to the soil and taken up by another plant
May 29, 2012 - Hi Mr. Smarty Plants,
Recently I discovered a Foxglove that had come up after being planted 2 or 3 yrs ago. Next to it I have some medicinal Feverfew growing. (They were so close together I suspec...
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Student research on fire-resistance plant labels from Garden Ridge TX
November 13, 2013 - Dear Mr. Smarty Pants,
I'm a 4th grader at Garden Ridge Elementary in Comal County. I am researching fire resistant plants. Can you please tell me if most plants' tags say whether they are fire r...
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Blooming but not berrying American bittersweet from Pendleton IN
May 29, 2013 - I have had a bittersweet plant for years, it blooms but not berries. How do I tell if it is male or female so I can buy the opposite? It is currently blooming.
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