Conducting the Tomatosphere experiment

The basic Tomatosphere experiment is outlined in detail on this website in the Teacher's Guide. There are separate sections for the three grade groupings …grades 2-4, 5-6 and 8-10. The experiment is a 'blind' test; teachers and students will not know the origin of the different types of seeds until the experiment is completed and the teacher has submitted the results. For more information on the type of seeds used for both the control group and for the non-control group of seeds, go to the one-page guide, "Seed Treatment for 2012."

For a more comprehensive approach with all of the details on the experiment from the Teachers' Guide, click here.

Following is a summary of the experiment process. Details can be found at "The Experiment" page of the Teachers' Guide.

  1. Use peat pellets to germinate the seeds; you will need one peat pellet for each seed planted.
  2. Each class receives two packages with a total of 80 seeds - 40 of each of the two types - the control group and the PRIMED group that is being used for the current year - 2012. For details on the simulation, see the Seed Treatment for 2011 page. Note that the seeds are packed by WEIGHT and that consequently, there can be a +/-5 variance in the number of seeds you receive.
  3. Because the tomato seeds will normally germinate in 5-7 days, it is recommended that the seeds be planted on a Wednesday or Thursday, and NOT before a holiday Monday. This will allow the students to see the germination process taking place the following week. However, this year, with the priming process, you may see earlier germination; Wednesday is probably the best day for the planting, if this can be arranged.
  4. Try and keep the seeds in a similar location. However, they do NOT require sunlight to germinate and direct sunlight should be avoided. If the air outside the school is cold at night, do not leave the peat pots along the windows unless protected from the cold. Newspaper between the windows and the plants will help.
  5. Label the seeds individually; they can be randomly placed in one location, but you must know which seeds are which.
  6. Soak the peat pellets for about 20 minutes or until fully saturated.
  7. Individually, press seeds into peat pellets to a depth that is about the same as the length of the seed (2-3 mm)
  8. Keep the peat pellets moist, but not wet. Mist the peat pellets with a spray bottle or add water to the tray in which the peat pellets are located.
  9. Remember to water the peat pellets before leaving for the week-end and as soon as possible upon return following the week-end.
  10. Record information (see "Observations, Collecting Your Data and Reporting" in the Teachers' Guide) for 3-4 weeks or for 5 days after the LAST seed germinates. There is a one-page overview of this component of the process called "Recording and reporting your results". A new data collection form has been added in 2012 to reflect the use of primed seeds and a control group.  Click here to access the new data collection form.
  11. Submit your results online remembering that this part of the experiment is to be completed by the TEACHER.