Growing Together: Open Forum

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  • 1.  Root Viewer

    Posted 11-13-2024 01:41:00 PM

    Hello,

    My dad built our school a root viewer. We are about to get it set up and I wondered if anyone had plant suggestions that would do well in it. 

    Thank you!



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    Crystal 🌻
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  • 2.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-13-2024 10:04:00 PM
    Edited by Kate Brownell 11-18-2024 10:04:55 PM

    let me know the progress though



  • 3.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-14-2024 02:03:00 PM

    Hi!

    While I do not have previous experience growing in a viewer; I'd like to offer that here. Can you please share the blueprints you and your Dad/volunteer used? Thank you!

    Cheers,

    Lee



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    Lee Smith Bravender
    Nature Play Advocate
    Gaffield Children's Garden
    Matthaei Botanical Garden & Nichols Arboretum
    Univ of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    she/her
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  • 4.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-18-2024 01:24:00 PM
    Edited by Crystal Chandler 11-18-2024 01:43:52 PM

    He didn't have any plans but he took all the dimensions from the commercially available one and made it with wood and plexiglass. It wasn’t quite as wide… he made it the width of the commercially available plexiglass at Home Depot. Our cost was around $86. While I'm sure it's cool, $1100 was not in the budget! 

    Root Viewer



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    Crystal Chandler
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-18-2024 01:45:00 PM


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    Crystal Chandler
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-18-2024 09:23:00 AM

    Hi Crystal,

    I agree with other posters; this is a cool idea! I imagine many of our teachers and students would be interested. I would love to share plans.

    As far as suggestions for plants, one thing that came to mind was an exhibit dedicated to roots at the US Botanic Garde a few years ago. It was amazing! Here is a link to the exhibit: Exposed: The Secret Life of Roots | United States Botanic Garden.

    I believe that some of the specimens with the most amazing root systems were grasses. You can also contact them directly for more information.

    Have fun!



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    [Karen] [Taylor]
    [Get2Green Support Specialist]
    [Fairfax County Public Schools]
    [Fairfax] [VA]
    [She,Her]
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  • 7.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-18-2024 01:49:00 PM

    Hello,

    Grasses are a great idea! I don't have plans but he copied the dimensions from a commercially available one. Ours isn't quite as wide to match the plexiglass that Home Depot had. It was $1100 so wasn't in the budget but the DIY was about $86.

    Root viewer



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    Crystal Chandler
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 11-18-2024 10:03:00 PM

    That sounds like a fun project! For your root viewer, you could try planting beans, radishes, or carrots – they grow quickly and have really visible root systems that are easy to observe. Sweet potatoes and peas are also great choices since their roots are larger and pretty easy to track as they grow. These plants will give a clear look at how roots develop and should be really fun to watch!



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    Kate Brownell
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  • 9.  RE: Root Viewer

    Posted 12-03-2024 02:38:00 PM

    This is really cool! you could do a cool experiment comparing the roots of native grasses like bluestem to typical yard grasses like kentucky bluegrass. Then talk about the importance of protecting the soil from erosion by planting native plants with stronger roots. 



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    Laura Berglund
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