Amazing Regenerative Abilities of Plants
This experiment follows on from the observation of the self-healing abilities of plant and animal bodies. In addition to the amazing ability to heal wounds, many plants are capable of an even greater feat, which is to restore their entire body from a small piece of it.
Age Group: 9-12 years
Duration: first phase approx. 15 minutes, further observation for days to weeks (months)
Biomimicry Connection:
Unfortunately, human inventions are still mostly unable to repair themselves, as living nature can. Being able to replicate this would yield incredible savings. Here, pupils can observe the fascinating restoration of the entire organism from a small piece of it.
Activity Details:
Tools and Materials
- Sharpe knife
- Any suitable herb or woody plant suitable for vegetative reproduction e.g. from indoor plants an African violet (Sauntpaulia) is suitable which will eventually bloom, or a jade plant ( Crassula ovata), or you can cut a 10 cm long piece of willow twig outside with the pupils then let the whole tree grow
- Glass of water
Description
- Together, cut a twig from the selected plant. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut.
- Prepare a glass of water and place the cutting in it. It is possible to attach a piece of paper (as a lid) to the top of the glass with a rubber band and make a hole in it so that the cutting holds well and at the same time it is possible to observe the lower section clearly, where the roots should appear in a few days.
- Place the jar with the cutting in an appropriate place in the classroom.
- Ask the pupils what they think will happen. You can also let them guess how long it will take for the roots to appear.
- Assign duties amonst pupils to monitor whether there is enough water in the glass, etc.
- Leave a jar with the cutting in the classroom and check it with the pupils every few days.
- After the plant has grown sufficiently large roots, transplant it into a pot with substrate and continue to grow it in the classroom. Observe how all parts of the plant are gradually formed - roots, leaves, stems and flowers.
- Discuss with the pupils which things they would like to have this regeneration ability.