A shallow container with drainage holes. (Styrofoam trays that fruit is wrapped in work well.) This is your laboratory. Potting soil A large plastic bag A variety of plant parts grass or sprout seeds spider plant plantlets onion sets potato tubers ivy, and jade plant leaves

Pieces of Plants Can Do the Job You and Detective Le Plant found out how plants can be grown from seeds. Plants can also be grown from pieces of plants such as stems, leaves and plantlets. These are called cuttings. Plants can also be grown from special plant parts called bulbs and tubers. To help us find out about the world of plant propagation, we will call upon our friend Dr. Plantenstein. He will offer a number of clues to plant propagation methods. Cuttings need to be placed into something to form roots. You can use sand, soil, mix, or water. The most important factor for a cutting to grow is that it needs a moist, humid environment to root. Frankenstein was created from different parts. We can create our own plant monster from different plant parts and call it Plantenstein. You might try to use grass seed or sprout seeds for hair; spider plant plantlets or other small stem cuttings for eyes; an onion set for a nose; small cut pieces of potato tubers for ears; ivy for the mouth; and a jade leaf for the tongue. You might want to try other things just to experiment. On a piece of paper, draw out a plan of how your Plantenstein face will look. Show where the various plant parts will be used. Once you have your plan, you're ready to make Plantenstein! Steps in Making Plantenstein's Face Begin by filling the container with your potting soil. Then following your plan place your different plant parts where they should be. Moisten the laboratory and slip it into the plastic bag. Close it tightly. This will help to keep the cuttings moist and speed rooting. Check your laboratory daily to make sure there is enough moisture, but don't overwater. Plantenstein should come to life in about 2 weeks. Keep a journal of which plants began to grow first, which grow most rapidly, and what kind of problems you have.

Once your Plantenstein is alive and growing, it's time to learn about some other ways to grow plants from parts...