Frequently Asked Questions
Rewritten with permission from the official Wisconsin Fast Plant web site.
Question:
Why are my students’ plants growing slowly?
Answer:
The rate of growth depends on a number of factors. The following conditions are the most common factors slowing the growth of the plants:
- Lower temperature in school than normal on weekends and holidays
- Not enough light.
- Plants growing at lower temperature due to location near window in winter.
- Poor capillary action between plants and nutrient reservoir.
To view the life cycle of the Wisconsin Fast Plant click here.
Question:
Why didn’t any seedlings emerge from some of the quads (poor germination)?
Answer:
If seedlings do not appear by Day 4, start over.
Possible reasons include the following:
- The seeds were planted too deep.
- The planting soil was compacted.
- The planting soil was too wet when the seeds were planted in the quad.
- The seeds may have washed out of the soil during initial watering.
- The room temperature is below 60° F.
Question:
Why do the plants look spindly?
Answer:
Possible reasons include the following:
- Lights too far away from plants. Lights should be 5-10 cm from growing tip
- Fertilizer not mixed properly or not added to the reservoir
- Poor capillary action between plants and nutrient reservoir
Question:
Why did some of our plants die?
Answer:
Possible reasons include the following:
- Wicks not placed correctly in planter quads.
- Tail on the capillary mat not in water, may be stuck to bottom of 1/4 lb. container
- Capillary mat will not wet thoroughly if all air pockets were not removed when watering system was set up
- Capillary mat clogged (wash mat in 5% vinegar solution, rinse thoroughly)
- Planter quad not completely flat on the capillary mat
- Water in reservoir ran out over weekend (always check water on Fridays!)
- Plant damaged during thinning (handle gently)
- Plant damaged during movement and/or measuring (as plants grow taller, stake and secure them with twist ties or thread)
Question:
Why are the plants wilting?
Answer:
If the worst happens (i.e. you forgot to fill the reservoir) and the plants are wilting (but not yet crispy), you may be able to save your plants. Water the quads gently from above for several minutes. Be sure that the wicks are dripping and the planting mix is moist. If the planting mix has completely dried, it may be hydrophobic and difficult to remoisten. Rewet the capillary mat and tail and place the planter quads back on mat.
Question:
Why didn’t some of our plants produce seed pods?
Answer:
Possible reasons include the following:
- Cross pollination not adequately performed
- Too much heat in the classroom during pollination period. When temperatures are above 85°F, many Fast Plants will lose the capability of producing pollen
View the following PowerPoint presentation for more details on Wisconsin Fast Plants and the Plant Growth and Development kit.