Asexual Reproduction of Onion

Materials: ★☆☆ Easy to get from supermarket or hardware store
Difficulty: ★☆☆ Can be easily done by most teenagers
Safety: ★☆☆ Minimal safety procedures required

Categories: Plants, Reproduction

Alternative titles: Growing an Onion in Water

Summary

An onion is suspended over a jar of water to observe root and shoot growth through vegetative reproduction.

Procedure

  1. Take a healthy onion bulb.
  2. Insert several toothpicks around its middle so that it can rest securely on the rim of a jar.
  3. Fill the jar with water until the base of the onion just touches the water surface.
  4. Place the setup in a dark cupboard or shaded area.
  5. Over the next few weeks, observe the base of the onion for new root growth and the top for sprouting shoots.
  6. Record or photograph any visible changes in growth.
  7. After several weeks, describe the appearance of the roots and shoots and identify the method of reproduction taking place.

Growing Onions - Experiment - Huw Richards:


Variations

Safety Precautions

Questions to Consider