Desert Wildflowers: How Rain Creates a Superbloom

When rain visits the desert, it can wake up sleeping wildflower seeds, turning dry ground into a carpet of color. This Ranger Mission will help you see how even a little bit of water can create something beautiful.

The Big Question

How can dry seeds become beautiful flowers?

What You'll Need

• Two small, clear cups or jars
• Paper towels
• Water
• Dry bean seeds or other small, dry seeds
• A notebook or paper and crayons/pencils

Mission Steps

1. Cup Setup. Fill one cup with about 1 inch of water. Place a folded paper towel in the bottom of the second cup, and add about 10 dry seeds on top of the towel.
2. Add Water. Pour a small amount of water over the paper towel and seeds in the second cup, just enough to make the towel damp, not soaked.
3. Observe Changes. Place both cups in a warm spot. Check on them every day for a week, drawing what you see in your notebook each time. Look closely at the seeds in the damp cup.

Talk About It

• What did you notice happening to the seeds in the cup with water?
• How is this like what happens with desert superblooms?
• Where else in nature do you see things grow after it rains?

Take It Further

For older rangers, research different types of desert wildflowers and the specific conditions (like temperature and rainfall amounts) that trigger a superbloom. You can also try planting seeds in different soil types to see how that affects their growth.

FAQ

Q: My seeds aren't sprouting, what should I do? A: Make sure the paper towel is staying damp but not too wet. Seeds need moisture to start growing, but too much water can drown them. Q: Can I use any seeds? A: Yes, most dry seeds from the grocery store or garden store will work for this experiment. Bean seeds are a good choice because they sprout quickly.