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Petri dishes or plastic containers Burpee sunflower seeds Locally collected rainwater Paper towels |
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Step 1
Take a paper towel, fold or cut it
to fit inside your petri dish or plastic container.
Step 2
Dampen the paper towel with the locally
collected rainwater. (Make sure you use the same amount of rainwater
for each paper towel)
Step 3
Spread at least 6 sunflower seeds
out across the paper towel.
Step 4
Take another paper towel, cut or fold
it to fit the container. Dampen paper towel with the same amount
of locally collected
rainwater and place on top of
the seeds. (Make sure the lid or top of container is sealed so the
air won't affect the
germination process.)
Step5
Check the paper towels every day to
make sure they are damp. NOT WET! If the seeds are soaked in
water they will grow mold
or drown and die before they germinate.
Check every few days for germination by pulling back the top paper towel.
After a week or two your seeds
should begin to sprout. The first seeds to sprout are your strongest
and fastest growing. You
will need at least three sprouted
seeds for this experiment. You can always plant all the seeds but make
sure you have at least three.
Step 2
Lightly pack the soil so it supports
the seedling in an upright position. Fill each container 3/4 full with
potting soil mix.
Step 3
Add enough locally collected rainwater
to make the soil moist, but not wet. (Water should be measured using
the graduated
cylinder; each plant should receive
the same amount of water, 600ml). Place in a location where the sunflower
can receive at
least 6 hours of direct light each
day. (Use a lamp with 100-watt light bulb) Attach a thermometer
with masking tape to outside
of pot.
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