pollinating

Pollination is the stage when reproduction takes place. Fast Plants® do not self-pollinate.

Pollination activities engage students actively in spreading pollen among plants using a bee stick so that they successfully reproduce and develop seed in the next stage. (Alternatives to the bee stick, such as a cotton swab or commercially supplied pollination wand can also be used).

During the pollination stage, activities can link students' use of bee sticks with explorations into the interactions of plants and insects.


Instructions for Pollination & Making Bee Sticks

Step 1
Bee sticks can be made from whole bees or just the fuzzy thorax (mid- section) with or without the wings.

Alternatives: cotton swab or commercially supplied pollination wand.
Step 2
Use a drop of glue to fix the bee thorax to a toothpick.
Step 3
Let beesticks dry overnight.
Step 4
Pollinate with the beesticks by brushing the bee over flowers to pick up and pass around the pollen among different plants. Fast Plants® do not self-pollinate.

Other Images

Bee Stick
Close up of a fully-charged bee stick ready to pollinate.
Pollinating
An example of using a bee stick to pollinate a Fast Plant.
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