sprouts and slugs

Pinto beans Day 1.

 

Day 3.

 

Day 4.

 

Day 5.

 

Day 6.

 

Day 7.

We did a simple bean sprout experiment a couple of weeks ago and discovered how a plant grows from a bean.

Seeds have all of the information necessary to create a new plant; they just need an environment with enough heat, water, sunlight and nutrients (which come from the earth and water). In this experiment you’re going to see how a seed (in this case, a bean) becomes a plant.

Materials:

3 pinto beans, a clear plastic cup, water, and two paper towels

Instructions:
1. Soak 3 beans in water for 24 hours. This helps the seed germinate (begin growing) to become a plant.

2. Fold a paper towel in half or thirds. Put it inside the cup, lining the sides and the bottom of the cup. Scrunch up the other paper towel and place it in the middle of the cup to help keep the other paper towel pressed against the sides.

3. Dampen the paper towel with water. (Don’t soak it! Just make it a little wet.)

4. Take the beans that were soaking in water overnight and put each one between the paper towel and the side of the cup. Place them around the cup so that they don’t touch each other.

5. Put the cup in a sunny spot, like in a windowsill. Observe what happens over the next few days. Keep the paper towels damp.

Experiment inspired by this book…

It was easy and fun to watch!

 

“Mama!!”  “We found snails without shells!” 

 

I was told they were slimy and sticky!

 

I have 2 little girls who love to play with anything creepy-crawly.  Ick!!

We found out that these “snails without shells” are actually called slugs. 

Slugs are not insects. 

They are part of the mollusk family. 

They’re related to clams, squids and oysters. 

Unlike their snail cousin, the slug has an internal shell. 

Slugs are vegetarians.  They eat mainly plants and veggies. 

They can stretch their body 20 times their normal length, enabling them to squeeze through openings to get food. 

The slimy mucus on their bodies tastes bad and many predators avoid it. 

Slugs are made up of mostly water and can dehydrate easily in the hot summer months.  Many have met their demise with plain table salt.  The salt dries out all the water in their bodies (so I’ve read). 

Ours were found near some moist soil.  After a bit of reluctance, they have been returned to their proper place.

Seriously, ick!!