"David Fisher" wrote on 27/2/03 3:47 am
>>>Does anyone have a good protocol for making live pollen germinate for a
>general botany lab exercise? The usual procedure, using Impatiens,
>rarely works. Any secrets, anyone? David Fisher, PhD
>>---
>
There is a protocol on the Science and Plants website which often gives
good results and many teachers in UK swear by it at:-
www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk/worksheets/ssheets/ssheet4.htm
It contains a link:-
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/ctpollen/Spring_flowers_and_pollen_germ
ination.html
to a very simple technique growing pollen on onion epidermis which I
found to work as well as the SAPS protocol with 12 year old pupils (and
that's a REAL test of any technique!) This same website contains a bank
of relevant photographs.
The SAPS protocol also includes a reference to a paper where the author
surveyed the success he had with different species at different times of
the year (with a link to a .pdf copy on the SAPS website).
I'd be interested to know of other's experiences.
John
Dr. John Hewitson
Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)
Homerton College
Cambridge CB2 2PH UK
email: hom-saps at lists.cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 507168
Fax: +44 (0)1223 215004
web site: http://www-saps.plantsci.cam.ac.uk
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