Teaching kids about pecans includes the reminder that native nuts support wildlife.
The pecan tree is a significant native hardwood in Southeastern U.S. forests. Pecan trees used for nut production are grafted, because trees grown from native or cultivar seeds---pecans---are never "true" to their parent. Seedling pecans usually grow into good shade trees because they characteristically grow fast and are deeply rooted and well shaped, with strong structure and a natural central leader. Planting pecans then watching them germinate and grow teaches children about the fundamentals of plant biology---including stratification, or treating fruit or nut seeds with cold and moisture to mimic their natural germination requirements of some tree species. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Contact forestry officials to find out if pecan seedlings can be used in area reforestation or environmental restoration, at least where pecan trees are native. Elsewhere, ask parents, park officials and other landowners if they have sunny, well-drained and fertile land for planting very large landscape trees. Plan a field trip to plant the seedlings as the final educational activity.
2. Collect mature, undamaged pecans in autumn. Mount the aquarium pump and attach the tubing to the airstone, which should sit on the aquarium bottom. Place the pecans in the aquarium and fill it with fresh water. Soak the pecans in aerated water for two days; without aeration the nuts would quickly use up all available oxygen and die.
3. Moisten the vermiculite until no water runs off. Layer the presoaked nuts in moist vermiculite inside the perforated containers. Alternate 2 inches of vermiculite with a layer of nuts until the container is almost full, ending with 2 inches of vermiculite.
4. Place the stratified containers inside unsealed plastic bags and keep them cold---between 36 and 42 degrees F---for three months. Suitable cold-storage sites include a classroom or home refrigerator, usually the easiest option, or an unheated building or basement that stays within that temperature range.
5. Remove the nuts from stratification after three months. Place moist vermiculite in the three glass jars, and place two or three stratified pecans in each glass jar---next to the glass, pointed end up---so kids can watch them germinate; add 3 more inches of vermiculite. Give each child two pecans and a drink cup half-filled with potting soil. Have them plant two pecans in their cups---two, in case one doesn't sprout---then add potting soil.
6. Assist students to poke drain holes in their planting cups with pencils. Water cups thoroughly, until water runs out the drain holes. Place all the cups in a sunny window, along with the three glass jars, to watch seeds germinate and seedlings emerge. Keep planting soil evenly moist.
Tags: inches vermiculite, drain holes, glass jars, moist vermiculite, potting soil
