Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - September 13, 2005

From: Cape cORAL, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: General Botany
Title: Smarty Plants on Science Fair projects
Answered by: Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

I would like to know what kind of plants can grow in two weeks? Please answer quickly so I can do my Science Fair project.

ANSWER:

Garden vegetables, like beans and corn, are most often used for this kind of project due to their ready availability, rapid germination and growth. Lawn grass is also commonly used for similar reasons. The type of plant you choose to grow will largely depend on the experiment you wish to perform, but other factors can be involved as well.

In two weeks time your newly planted seeds will have germinated, developed their first roots and anchored themselves to the soil, expanded their cotyledons (seed leaves) and developed their first true leaves. They will be breathing, taking up nutrients from the soil and photosynthesizing during this time. Unless your science fair project is a germination study, you won't have time to collect much data from your seedlings.
 

More General Botany Questions

Question about male muscadine plants
June 01, 2012 - I have 9 muscadine plants, 3 females and 6 perfect flowered growing in my yard. A plant started growing under my porch lst year and it grew through the spaces between the boards. It grew nicely. It fl...
view the full question and answer

Is Bushy Knotweed carcinogenic from West Grove PA
September 06, 2012 - Is the invasive Bushy Knotweed / PORA3 / Polygonum ramosissimum toxic to the extent that the spores are carcinogenic?
view the full question and answer

Where do snake herb and skeleton-leaf goldeneye get their names?
October 05, 2014 - Dear Mr. Smarty Plants, Where does snake herb, and skeleton leaf goldeneye get their names from? Thank you.
view the full question and answer

Are Chickasaw plums evergreen?
August 13, 2014 - Are Chickasaw Plums evergreens? I've been very interested in planting a few but some websites say they are evergreens while others say the opposite. Furthermore, would I have to plant a male and fema...
view the full question and answer

Native North American bulbs
August 19, 2011 - I saw your list of 4 lilies native to the Northeastern United States, which was very helpful. What other bulbs are native to North America? Although I garden in Connecticut, I am interested in learn...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.