ES12 Introduction to Environmental Science, Laboratory Department of Environmental Science School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University

Plant Care Project

INTRODUCTION This special project is designed to introduce the students to the proper care of the environment using a plant of their choice as a means to achieve this objective. OBJECTIVES At the end of this exercise, it is aimed that students will: A. process data of the plants growth according to width, height and other related variables; B. analyze the plant growth data generated over the semester; and C. reflect on this plant care experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS 1. Choose a plant from the general types assigned for the class. The plant chosen must not be more than 30 cm high. It must be planted in a pot measuring 15-20 cm in diameter. Make sure that there are holes in the bottom of the pot so that excess water can drain through. Students from each ES 12 section should provide colored pots according to the following designations: ES 12 Sections A, E and I -B, F and J -C and G -D and H -3. Color Green Black Brown White

2.

Prepare a label for your plant containing the following information: NAME: COURSE: SCIENTIFIC NAME: COMMON NAME: SECTION:

4. pot. 5. 6. 7.

Protect the label with a plastic cover or (laminate the label) and attach it to the Place used styrofoam (plastic or ceramic) plates beneath the pots to catch the excess water and soil draining through during the watering activity. Apply water, fertilizer, tillage and other maintenance requirements depending on your plants daily needs (daily, twice a week, week, monthly, etc.) On a weekly basis, measure (in centimeters) and record the following on your information sheet (see attached). a. Height of the plant Using a ruler, measure your plant from the base (from the top of the soil) up to the highest stem.

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ES12 Introduction to Environmental Science, Laboratory Department of Environmental Science School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University

b.

Width of the plant Viewing the plant from the top, measure the diameter that corresponds to the biggest width. Measure from the tip of one leaf to the tip of another leaf. c. Fertilizer application Indicate the following: Name of the fertilizer (brand name, type/composition, distributor, producer, etc.) Date purchased; Form (solid or liquid); Amount of fertilizer added Method of application (granular slow release solids, foliar spray, liquid, etc.) d. Tillage If tillage is applied to the plant, describe the method and the frequency of tillage. e. Other Information Describe the appearance of new shoots or buds, the date of their appearance and the approximate duration of development into maturity. Discuss any problems encountered such as pest infestation and the corrective measures taken. 8. Remember, when watering and tilling plants at the green house, do not transfer the plant to the sink area where eroded soil could clog the drainage. KEEP THE GREENHOUSE NEAT AND TIDY AT ALL TIMES.

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS 1. At the end of the semester, you are required to individually submit a laboratory report using the following format: NAME:___________________ SECTION:________________ OBJECTIVES: PLANT BIOLOGY: DISCUSSION OF PLANT GROWTH AND MAINTENANCE ANALYSIS: PERSONAL REFLECTION: REFERNCES: INFORMATION SHEET (original copy): DATE:

2.

Research on the biology of your plant to gain more information on how to maintain and propagate it. It is best to do this at the beginning of the Plant Care Project. Include scientific and common or local name in this section. Also include the various uses of the plant. Prepare graphs of (1) plant height against time and (2) plant width against time. Interpret them. Discuss the growth of your plant throughout the semester and your maintenance schedule. Establish relationships between plant maintenance and the rate at which the height and width of your plant grew. Include personal insights on your experiences with caring for your plant. As you write your reflection, recall the day the plant exercise was assigned. Recall how you decided where to get your plant, what kind of plant you will get and how you felt about the whole assignment. Recall also the days you visited your plant and the days you failed to visit the plant. In all these and more, try to recall what was happening to you. What were you feeling,
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5.

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ES12 Introduction to Environmental Science, Laboratory Department of Environmental Science School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University

what were the movements, highlights, high points and low points of your experience? What is the exercise and what are the related experiences telling you?

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ES12 Introduction to Environmental Science, Laboratory Department of Environmental Science School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University

ES 12 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE LABORATORY PLANT CARE PROJECT (____ semester, _____________)

INFORMATION SHEET
NAME: _______________________________ COURSE:_____________________________ SCIENTIFIC NAME: _____________________ WEEK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Special Project in ES12 SY 2003-04

SECTION:___________________________ COMMON NAME: _____________________ FERTILIZER APPLICATION OBSERVATIONS

DATE

HEIGHT (cm)

WIDTH (cm)

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