Geranium+-+Potting+your+plant


 * [[image:mpsgeranium/mps.jpg width="99" height="97" align="left"]] POTTING YOUR PLANT **

**POINTS TO COVER**
** Plant Condition ** - The plants have been out of the ground for awhile and have been stressed. Geraniums are hardy and will recover with TLC. As long as the stem isn’t dried out and brown, the plant is still alive. Show them a picture of a healthy, flowering geranium so they can see what it will look like.

** Light ** - Putting the plant in a window that has more sun exposure is better. (west, south). However, the plant will survive in less light but leaves won’t be as big and not as many flowers. Also in dim light the plants may become spindly and leggy. The students should have been asked by their teacher to already find a window to put their plant in. Ask them who has and what direction does it face. Students will be able to compare growing results with plants in sunnier location vs less sunny locations throughout the year. Make sure they know to put it in the window- not next to the window, across the room from a window, under the window.

** Water ** - In general, plants should be watered 1 time per week. However, if the home is on the dry side and the plant is in a very sunny window, it may dry out sooner. Also if the plant is in a less sunny location it may take longer for the soil to dry out. The class Official Gardener” should remind the students every Friday to water their plant.

** Taking Dead Material Off ** - Students should get into the habit of taking yellowed or brown leaves off when they water their plant. Although the food produced in a leaf can be trans located to the growing shoots, it is a good idea to get rid of old leaves to minimize disease problems. When a leaf naturally dies (senesces)it will be an even yellowish color. If it is blotchy it could be some disease. You will show them how to take the spent flower and dying leaf off at its base. The leaves should be removed at the base at the plant node. The node is where the leaf joins the stem. It is also where new buds occur. **Everywhere there is a leaf you will find a bud**. This is important in that when you cut the stem to make it shorter it should be done at a node. Once the students pot their plants, they should carefully look their plant and take off dying leaves.

** District Science Fair in May ** - There is __not__ a requirement to participate. Plants that survive over the winter can be entered in categories such as biggest plant, healthiest leaves, most flowers etc. Students are encouraged to use their plant as the basis for a scientific experiment that can also be entered at the District Science Fair. Teachers can look on the mpsgeranium website for scientific experiment suggestions.

** Official Class Gardener ** - Teachers can appoint, solicit a volunteer, elect or draw who will be the official class gardener. This student will be responsible for the Classroom Plant and will remind other students to water their plant and take off dead material every Friday.