Diversity of stems and the bud
Answers are for parents and teachers.
1
Identify the stem type of 6 plants around school or home and put them in a table.
E.g. wheat β erect; melon β trailing; grape β climbing; strawberry β creeping; poplar β erect woody; bindweed β twining.
2
Draw a lengthwise section of a bud and label it (scales, initial stem, initial leaves).
Scales outside, the initial stem with tiny leaves inside.
3
In February put a willow twig in water (an adult cuts it) and record the buds every day for 10 days.
Buds swell, scales open, small leaves and roots may appear.
4
A shoot has 8 nodes, each with 1 lateral bud, plus one terminal bud. How many buds in all? (8 + 1)
9
5
Why do gardeners pinch or cut the tip of a branch? (Preparation for lesson 14)
Terminal growth stops, lateral buds grow, so the plant branches, stays compact and yields more.