Entry 15: Can you think of an example of each plant part that we eat? Write your examples in your Agronaut Log and talk to your teacher and classmates about your examples. Which ones of these might you like to take with you to the Moon?Yummy Plants
People eat many different plants in our daily diet. But did you know that we eat all parts of the plants?
Entry 15: Can you think of an example of each plant part that we eat? Write your examples in your Agronaut Log and talk to your teacher and classmates about your examples. Which ones of these might you like to take with you to the Moon?
Roots: _________________________________
Stems: _________________________________
Leaves: _________________________________
Flowers: _________________________________
Seeds: _________________________________
Fruits: _________________________________
AstroNut - Hi! I'm AstroNut, and I am a peanut. The peanut plant is unusual because it flowers above the ground, but fruits below the ground. Peanut seeds (kernels) grow into a green oval-leafed plant about 18 inches tall. The plant develops flowers around the lower portion of the plant. The flowers pollinate themselves and then lose their petals as the fertilized ovary begins to enlarge. The budding ovary or "peg" grows down away from the plant and forms a small stem that extends to the soil. The peanut embryo is in the tip of the peg, and it penetrates the soil. The embryo turns horizontal to the soil surface and begins to mature taking the form of peanut. The peanut plant continues to grow and flower, eventually producing some 40 or more mature pods. From planting to harvesting, the growing cycle takes about four to five months, depending on the type or variety.
Broc - What's up? I'm Broc, and you guessed it - I am a broccoli plant! The edible portion of the broccoli plant is made up of the tender stem and the unopened flower buds. Broccoli from fields is harvested in the early morning because it wilts very rapidly in the sun. Field crates or baskets full or broccoli are then taken to a packing shelter where the broccoli is bunched and iced. The broccoli head (which is what I am) should be cut before the flower buds open. If the buds begin to open and the yellow flower petals begin to show, then the head is over-mature and unfit for market. Broccoli heads for market should be about 9 to 10 inches from the base of the stem to the top of the head.
Polly - Howdy! My name is Polly, and I am a strawberry. Plants like me have white, sometimes pink (depending on the variety) flowers that turn into luscious strawberries to enjoy fresh, put into desserts, make jam, or freeze and use later. Strawberry plants develop runners, or baby plants that are attached to the parent strawberry plant. Strawberries grow 6-8 inches tall spreading about one foot across with long runners. Strawberries like well-drained and fairly rich soil, so be sure to add compost or other organic matter when preparing the strawberry patch. We need full sun, and frequent, deep soakings, so also be sure to give adequate water during fruit-bearing season.
Tate - Hello there! My name is Tate, and I am a potato. Potatoes are tubers, which means we are a special kind of stem that grows underneath the soil. Potatoes are an excellent choice for the home garden. We emerge quickly and grow rapidly. Potatoes grow well under most soil and growing conditions and can be stored for long periods without canning, drying, or freezing. Potatoes are not only delicious but also highly nutritious. Tubers are a good source of trace minerals and several vitamins, including vitamin C. To grow potatoes, people order seed tubers and cut them into several pieces. The ideal seed piece is blocky in shape, has as few cut surfaces as possible, weighs between 1 and 2 ounces (slightly larger than a golf ball), and has two or more "eyes" or buds.
