Wisconsin Fast PlantsTM - Growing Instructions

Wisconsin Fast Plants

Four Easy Steps for Growing Successful Wisconsin Fast Plants

1. Continuous Fluorescent Light

• Fluorescent lights should be on 24 hours a day.

• Choose a light system (at right).

Either light system can be ordered from Carolina Biological

Supply Company (call 1-800-334-5551) or constructed from

household materials and hardware store supplies (see

www.fastplants.org for instructions).

The Plant Light House (catalog number 15-8997) can hold

11 growing systems. The Plant Light Bank can hold 25 grow-

ing systems (catalog number 15-8998).

• Construct or assemble the light system according to the

instructions, then plug it in and leave it on, 24 hours a day.

2. Continuous Water and Fertilizer

• Use the nutrient solution (made from the blue fertilizer crys-

tals that are included with kits) and the self-watering growing

system to keep your plants fed and watered continuously.

3. Consistent Room Temperature

 •Optimalroomtemperature:65—78˚F(18—26˚C)

• Keep a thermometer near the plants and check the temperature regularly.

4. Potting Mix

• The plant roots need the aeration that a light potting mix provides, so use a peat/vermiculite potting “mix”

(included with kits)

rather than a heavy “soil.”

Wisconsin Fast Plants

(Brassica rapa) are the product of 30 years of plant breeding at the University of Wisconsin—

Madison. Originally selected under continuous fluorescent light to grow and reproduce quickly for research purposes,

these petite, fast-growing plants have been used for teaching biology concepts in classrooms worldwide for over 15 years.

Related to crucifers (plants in the mustard family, such as broccoli, cabbage, and turnips), Wisconsin Fast Plants

com-

plete an entire life cycle in 40—45 days.

All biological organisms require care and attention. Wisconsin Fast Plants

have been

bred to be low maintenance. These Growing Instructions are designed to help you grow

robust, successful Wisconsin Fast Plants

through an entire life cycle. Plants grown

under alternative conditions may take longer to complete the life cycle. At the end of

the life cycle, the new seeds can be planted or stored for future classes.

For ideas about how to use Wisconsin Fast Plants

in the classroom, refer to www.fast-

plants.org.

Growing Instructions

Time needed for entire

life cycle: 40—45 days

It is recommended that

you plant seeds on a

Monday.

These growing instructions are written for

the Plant Light House, but the same grow-

ing methods apply to the Plant Light Bank.

Important note: If bulbs are used for

extended periods, the plants may appear

spindly and exhibit signs of delayed growth

and development. Purchase new bulbs every

three years.

Plant Light House

Plant Light Bank

Put Pots in Plant Light HouseCover Seeds with Potting Mix

Plant the SeedsWet the Potting Mix

Assemble the Growing SystemWet Watermat

Put Potting Mix in Pots

Step-by-Step Growing Instructions

Wisconsin Fast Plants

Gently pour water over the potting mix

until it runs out the bottom of the pot.

Wet the watermat and wicks thoroughly in

tap water.

Reminder:

Keep the light on 24 hours a day.

Replenish the nutrient

solution often.

Monitor the room temperature.

Make nutrient solution by adding 1/2 tsp of

the blue fertilizer crystals to 2 liters of tap

water. Shake well. Store in the dark.

Day 0: Assemble Growing System and Plant Seeds

Insert the long wick

through the hole in

the smaller container

so that all but 3-4 cm

hangs down into the

lower reservoir. Place

the watermat in the

small container so that

it is covering and touch-

ing the upper 3-4 cm of

the wick. Cover with

the lid.

Make Nutrient Solution

Place the pots in the growing system. Press

the pots down so that the wick on the bot-

tom of each pot is touching the wet water-

mat (but do not press the potting mix).

Place each growing system into the Plant

Light House. Prop

the growing systems

up so the top of the

pots is 10 cm below

the light. Turn on

the light, and leave

it on 24 hours a day.

Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting

mix. Do not pack it down. Pour Nutrient

Solution over the top until it runs out the

bottom. Fill reservoirs with Nutrient

Solution.

Place 3-4 seeds on top of the wet soil.

Distribute them evenly. Do not press them

down. Label pots with name and date.

Thread a small watermat wick through the

hole on the bottom of each pot. Fill each

pot with potting mix until it is level with the

top of the can. Do not pack the potting mix

down.

Days 19-36

Seed Storage

Reminder:

Keep the containers full of

nutrient solution until day

37.

Store the seeds in a dark, cool, dry place...

or plant them for another experiment or

activity.

To harvest many seeds:

Place the stems and pods in a paper bag and

crush them inside. Pour the contents into

a dish, blow off the chaff, and pick out the

seeds.

Day 18: Terminate Buds

Day 37: Stop Watering

Day 13: Make Beesticks

Clean Up

Day 44: Harvest Seeds

To harvest a few seeds, or if small chil-

dren are harvesting seeds:

Place seed pods between two pieces of clear

tape with the ends folded over. Crush the

pods inside the tape, then peel open to get

the seeds.

Cut off the stems and seed pods with a

scissors.

Twenty days after final pollination, remove

plants from the nutrient solution and allow

them to dry for one full week in their pots

until they are brown and crispy.

One day after the final pollination, cut off

any new flowers or buds so the plant can

channel its energy toward seed growth. Do

not cut off flowers that were pollinated.

Brush the bees into the flowers to pick up

and distribute pollen. Transfer pollen back

and forth among several plants. (Wisconsin

Fast Plants

do not self-pollinate.)

Pollinate the flowers for 2-3 days. Look at

the bees to see if

they are picking up

pollen. (For more

information on pol-

lination and making

specific crosses,

Place a drop of glue on the tip of a tooth-

pick. Poke the toothpick into the tip of the

thorax (mid-section) of a bee. Let the bees-

tick dry overnight.

Days 15-17: Pollinate Flowers

Days 5-12: Tend the PlantsDay 4: Thin the Plants

After the plants germinate, remove all

but one or two plants per pot to prevent

crowding. This is called thinning.

Soak the reservoirs, pots, watermats, and

wicks for 10 minutes in a solution made up

of 95% water and 5% bleach. Scrub, rinse,

and let air dry.

Replenish the nutrient solution often—a big

growth spurt is coming! Every other day,

adjust the growing systems so the top of

the plants is 10 cm from the light.

Problem Possible Reasons Solutions

Poor Germination Seeds planted too deep in pot..................Replant.

Potting mix was compacted during planting .Replant.

Potting mix was not sufficiently watered

after planting ...................................Try watering from the top of pots until water drips from below.

Seeds washed out of pot ........................Replant.

Room temperature is too high or too low ....Adjust temperature.

If seedlings do not appear within 4 days after planting, start over.

Plants Grow Slowly Too cold ............................................Make sure the school temperature isn’t lowered on weekends.

Move plants away from drafty windows or air conditioners.

Not enough light ..................................Keep the light on 24 hours a day.

Bulbs have been used for more than three years. (If bulbs are used for

extended periods, the plants may appear spindly and exhibit signs of

delayed growth and development.)

Prop plants up to within 10 cm of the lights, using books.

Not enough food or water ....................... Replenish the nutrient solution often.

Verify that watermats and wicks are moist and touching each other.

Are the wicks positioned correctly in the bottom of each pot so that

they are touching both the potting mix and the round watermat? Is

the

long watermat strip reaching into the nutrient solution in the bottom

reservoir? Were the watermats and wicks wet thoroughly?

If the reservoir ran dry and the plants are wilting (but not yet crispy)

you may be able to save them. Water the pots from the top to

re-saturate the potting mix and re-establish the capillary action of the

watermats. Be sure that the wicks are dripping and the potting mix is

throroughly moistened.

Plants are Spindly Not enough light ..................................See above.

Not enough food ..................................See above.

Too many plants per pot .........................Remove all but 1-2 plants per pot (best done at day 4).

Plants Tip Over Tall plants ..........................................Stake the plants, using the wooden stakes and ties (days 11—20).

Plants Wilt Not enough water .................................See above.

Plants Die Not enough food or water .......................See above.

Old watermats .....................................Soak for 5 minutes in a 5% vinegar solution to clean; rinse thoroughly.

Plants were damaged during handling ........Start over.

Seeds are Not Produced Inadequate pollination ...........................Was pollen transferred among many different plants? (Wisconsin Fast

Plants

do not self-pollinate.) Was pollination done on days 15-17

using a beestick? Was pollen (yellow dust) visible on the beestick?

Room temperature too high .....................Adjust temperature. (Plants may lose ability to produce pollen at high

temperatures.)

To order Wisconsin Fast Plants

materials and seeds:

Carolina Biological Supply Company, 2700 York Road, Burlington, NC 27215 Phone: 1-800-334-

5551

Ordering info: www.carolina.com/fastplants Activity ideas: www.fastplants.org

Wisconsin Fast Plants

Seed Stocks Available: Standard • Purple Stem, Hairy • Non-Purple Stem, Hairless

Non-Purple Stem, Yellow-Green Leaf • Yellow-Green Leaf • Petite • Rosette-Dwarf • Tall Plant • Variegated • F

and F

Genetic Stocks

Tips and Troubleshooting

All biological organisms require care and attention. Wisconsin Fast Plants

have been bred to require only minimum mainte-

nance, but occasionally problems occur. This section offers tips for growing successful plants, as well as troubleshooting sug-

gestions. For more tips, suggestions, or classroom investigation ideas, see www.fastplants.org.