Plant Propagation Science Kit – Root an Apple Cutting, with Curriculum & Worksheets

A hands-on plant biology kit that teaches asexual plant propagation, the method growers use to create genetically identical plants from a single parent. Students attempt to root a fresh apple cutting (scion wood) using rooting hormone, then observe and document whether and how new roots form.

The cutting is harvested during the current season and selected to include several viable growth nodes. It does not include roots. Rooting fruit-tree cuttings is a genuine experiment and results vary with conditions; investigating why is part of the lesson.

Subject: Life Science / Plant Biology
Grade levels: K–5 or 6–12 (choose at checkout)
Includes: grade-level curriculum and student worksheets

Choose Your Grade Level

Select Grades K–5 or Grades 6–12. The physical kit is the same for both; your selection determines which curriculum and worksheets you receive. The curriculum and worksheets are digital and are emailed to you after purchase.

Learning Objectives

Grades K–5

• Learn that some plants can grow from a piece of a parent plant
• Identify the nodes and buds on a cutting
• Understand what a cutting needs to grow roots: moisture, warmth, and time
• Observe and record changes over several weeks

Grades 6–12

• Compare sexual (seed) and asexual (cutting) reproduction in plants
• Explain how plant hormones (auxins) trigger root formation
• Understand cloning, grafting, and why orchards propagate apples this way
• Track environmental conditions and analyze factors affecting rooting success

What's Included

• 1 fresh apple cutting (scion wood)
• Rooting hormone packet
• Moisture wrap for transport
• Printed rooting instructions
• Grade-level curriculum (digital, emailed after purchase)
• Student observation worksheets (digital, emailed after purchase)

Curriculum Overview

Grades K–5 (4 lessons): 1) How plants make new plants 2) Parts of a cutting 3) Preparing and planting the cutting 4) Weekly observation and reflection

Grades 6–12 (5 lessons): 1) Sexual vs. asexual reproduction 2) Plant hormones and root formation 3) Cloning and grafting in agriculture 4) Experimental setup and environmental monitoring 5) Results analysis and conclusions

Student Worksheets

• Cutting diagram to label (nodes, buds, cut end)
• Weekly observation log with conditions (moisture, temperature, light)
• Reflection sheet (K–5) or lab report template (6–12)

Customer Learning Community

Every purchase includes an invitation to Aardvark's Seed Planting For Little Hands, our private support group for students and families using our kits. Members share progress photos, ask questions, troubleshoot experiments, and learn alongside other growers. The group is open to customers — after your order, request to join and we'll add you.

Designed for homeschool and classroom science instruction.

You have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return. Items must be unused and in original packaging. Email aleksandr.gordon@gmail.com to start a return.