Summary
Areas of Science
Difficulty
Time Required
Average (6-10 days)
Prerequisites
None
Material Availability
Gladiola plants are available for purchase in many plant nurseries at select times of the year. Check with your local nursery.
Cost
Low ($20 - $50)
Safety
Use caution when using a blade for flower dissection. Adult supervision is recommended.
*Note:
For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
Abstract
Flower development is an important part of plant growth. When a plant has reached maturity, it needs to develop flowers in order to reproduce. The male and female parts of the flower have specialized structures for reproduction that develop as the plant matures. How do flowers develop over time? Which structures develop first? You can answer these questions by dissecting the flowers of a gladiola. Gladiola flowers grow and develop along the stem, with the most mature flowers opening at the base of the stem and immature flowers still in flower buds at the tip of the stem. You can dissect developing flowers along the length of a gladiola to develop a time series of flower development. Use your camera to take photos of the different stages. Can you see when the baby seeds develop? Do the female or male parts of the flower develop first? Are all of the flower parts developed before the flower emerges from the bud?
Ask an Expert
Do you have specific questions about your science project? Our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.
Global Connections
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) are a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
This project explores topics key to Life on Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss.
Careers
If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:
Career Profile
With a growing world population, making sure that there is enough food for everyone is critical. Plant scientists work to ensure that agricultural practices result in an abundance of nutritious food in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.
Read more
Career Profile
As the world's population grows larger, it is important to improve the quality and yield of food crops and animal food sources. Agricultural technicians work in the forefront of this very important research area by helping scientists conduct novel experiments. If you would like to combine technology with the desire to see things grow, then read further to learn more about this exciting career.
Read more
Related Links
Cite This Page
General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.MLA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
"How Do Flowers Develop?" Science Buddies,
28 July 2017,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/PlantBio_p027/plant-biology/how-do-flowers-develop.
Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2017, July 28).
How Do Flowers Develop?
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/PlantBio_p027/plant-biology/how-do-flowers-develop
Last edit date: 2017-07-28
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