3. Activity: Vegetative propagation of a potato

This is an activity we will be revisiting at the end of class when we talk about how living things are impacted by both their genetics and the environment.

If you don't have the materials on hand to start the experiment this Friday, that's completely okay! Use the time to read the notes and plan how you will conduct your own experiment growing potato clones.

If you prefer to conduct this experiment outside in a garden, that's an option too! Just be sure that it is spring or summer. The potatoes can handle some cold weather, but they will need at least ten weeks to grow before a hard frost or snow.


If you have a potato that is starting to sprout, then you are ready to cut it, let it dry for about 24 hours, and then plant the pieces.

If you only have potatoes that have no evidence of sprouting, place some of them in a dark cupboard and check on them in one week to see if any sprouts are visible. If there are no sprouts visible yet, wait an additional week and check again.

There are instructions for how to propagate a potato and pages for tracking your data on pages 10-15 in the notes. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Students working toward a certificate of completion will be asked to share a picture of their progress at a later date. Good luck starting your potato clones!

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