![\"\"](\"http:\/\/farm8.staticflickr.com\/7390\/9716676295_e5eb7dd109_b.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I have pollinated for four straight days. \u00a0You can see that some of the flowers are already developing into seed pods. \u00a0These seed pods will continue to expand and fill over the next week or so. \u00a0Later this week when I can more accurately determine the developing seed pods, I’ll start removing flowers and flower buds in order to concentrate as much plant energy as possible into the developing seed crop. \u00a0This time around, several of the flowers seemed a little less fit in my mind. \u00a0For instance, I really did not notice as much pollen production as I am used to seeing. \u00a0Other plants had their flowers really spread out in space and time. \u00a0Even though, I am selecting specifically for hairiness on the first true leaf’s petiole, I am also performing quite a bit of unintended selection.<\/p>\n
The remaining population:<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n I’ve been careful but what do you think would happen to the plant in the foreground with the elongated, stem laying off over the notebook in an actual class with students. \u00a0Imagine that they were taking their plants out on a daily basis to measure and observe them and then imagine how long a plant like this would survive. \u00a0I used have my students prop their plants up with bamboo sticks to help solve that problem. \u00a0I don’t do that now so my technique could lead to selection. \u00a0I also plant more seeds than I should in each cup which means I have to thin the seedlings down to a number the cup can support. \u00a0Guess what—more selection. \u00a0When I thin the seedlings I don’t cut out the first to sprout, largest ones—those are the ones I leave. \u00a0I cut out the tiny, last to sprout seeds. \u00a0More selection. \u00a0Every time you culture an organism in your classroom through multiple generations you and your environment are creating any number of selective pressures. \u00a0Inadvertent or not–it is still selection. \u00a0Granted the traits selected purposely or inadvertently have to have some genetic component. \u00a0But I can guarantee this is a very rich area to explore for you and your students.<\/p>\n Speaking of such inadvertent selection notice the plant in the foreground, center.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n No blooming flowers, just buds…this plant had 36 hairs on the first true leaf’s petiole but it is not going to contribute its genes to the next generation–it has simply taken too long to mature. \u00a0I am done pollinating. \u00a0Now if I wanted to produce Slow plants instead of maintaining Fastplants such a plant might be a target of selection. \u00a0Is this “slowness” genetic or is it the result of phenotypic plasticity responding to difference in the growing environment? \u00a0 Hmmm. \u00a0That sounds like an experiment. \u00a0This particular plant has had it’s own cup all to itself from the beginning–no other seeds germinated. \u00a0Having more soil might have delayed its flowering. \u00a0Delayed flowering is often associated with excess fertilizer. \u00a0Perhaps I spilled excess fertilizer into this cup. \u00a0It certainly looks nice and green. \u00a0Paul W. likes to keep his plants hungry. \u00a0Maybe this plant isn’t so hungry. \u00a0BTW, \u00a0I have grown these plants in large soil volumes–you might want to try it sometime. \u00a0Would these environmental factors delay flowering in genetically similar plants? \u00a0Whatever the answer or almost answer this plant has met its dead end. \u00a0(Well, I suppose it has a small chance if it is able to self pollinate or if some flies get in the room to help out.) \u00a0There is a lot of drama under the light bank.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today, I pollinated the two populations of Fastplants for the last time. \u00a0Over the years I’ve got to say that one of the funniest times in the biology classroom occurs as someone finally makes the connection between pollination and plant sex. \u00a0It changes the entire mood and energy in the room. \u00a0Biology is relevant again.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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