Fun things for children to do in the garden.


	GROWING FLOWERS FROM BULBS Some flowers, like tulips and daffodils, grow from swollen underground stems called bulbs. A ‘true’ bulb has fleshy scales (swollen leaves or leaf bases) attached to a small base plate. Right in the centre you can see the bulb’s inner bud and it is from this that the new plant grows. Cut an onion (which is a bulb) in half from top to bottom and you can clearly see these parts! When we plant a bulb there is much more certainty that it will grow and flower successfully, than if we plant a seedling because the fleshy scale leaves are filled with stored food and water which the little embryo plant uses to grow. Bulbs create a colourful display in the garden. We have two activities for you - try these and watch Nature at work!

		ACTIVITY ONE – HOW TO PLANT BULBS

STEP ONE

Into a pot put some gravel to give good drainage for the bulbs.

Bulbs 2

	STEP TWO
Add good loamy soil (potting soil) to nearly fill the pot. Choose your bulbs.

	STEP THREE
Look carefully at your bulbs and find the pointed side - this must be planted up (except for anemones). Bulbs in pots can be planted closer and shallower than in the garden.


	ACTIVITY TWO – HOW TO PLANT HYDROPONIC BULBS

	STEP FOUR
Press the bulb down hard onto the soil. Add a label so that you know what you have planted. Fill up the pot to the rim with extra soil and press it down. Water the soil thoroughly and place the pot in a warm spot.

Bulbs 6


	Some bulbs can be grown without soil, for example, hyacinth. This method of growing plants is called HYDROPONICS and here we show you how easy it is. Place marbles (or pebbles) in a glass container. Add a small piece of charcoal as this will keep the water clean. Place the bulb on top of the marbles. Fill the vase with water up to the bottom of the bulb and make sure it stays at this level.

Bulbs 7


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Webmasters: Celestine Ventures cc | Date of latest update: 06 February, 2012 |Date of entry: October 2009