Last week Bishop Childs C.I.W Primary asked: "If you plant your bulb at the same time as your partner will they open their flowers at the same time?"  

This is a very good question and if the bulbs were planted at the same time, were the same size and kept in the same conditions then they could possibly open on the same day. But, all the bulbs are slightly different sizes and some may get more water or sunshine - so they tend to open on different days.

Generally, all of the bulbs in one school will open within a week or two of each other. At first, you get a few then the majority will open within a few days of each other, then a smaller number will take a little longer. It's a bit like a race, there will be a few quick ones, a larger group that arrives about the same time then a few slow ones.

In this experiment, we take the average flowering time. So we record each date from each flower then divide it by the total number of flowers. Look at the results from your school last year http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2135/

Ysgol Glantwymyn asks: Ydy'r tywydd yma yn dda?/ Is this weather good? The recent warm temperatures we are having are good - as it is getting our bulbs growing. But, if we have a another cold snap it could be very damaging to our bulbs and slow them down again.

Good reports from schools:

Cwm Glas Primary:  We have got some shouts.

Maesycwmmer Primary School: A very frosty and cold week. We have noticed a few of our bulbs have started to grow. We have our chart ready and we are going to keep personal records of how much they grow each week. This is a great idea!

St. Mary's Catholic Primary School: It has been quite sunny this week and we haven't had a lot of rain.

Many thanks

Professor Plant 

After all the snow and freezing temperatures, today seems almost hot in Cardiff at 10 degrees Celsius. My bulbs must have noticed too - because they have already started to grow! It really cheered me up to see some life returning to my garden!

Ysgol Porth Y Felin reported: "Now the snow has cleared we can see that the plants are growing. It is getting warmer!" Excellent news! Let me know if the bulbs in your school have started to grow or if you have seen any other signs of spring locally? Send me photographs if you have any.

At this time of year all schools taking part in this spring bulb investigation should be busy collecting weather records for a chance to win a trip and checking your bulbs daily for signs of growth. Please use the resources below to be sure to know what you are looking for and how to record properly.

• Keeping flower records
• Video diary http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/1762/
• Win a trip http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2505/

My favourite question of the week comes from Bishop Childs C.I.W Primary. They asked: "If you plant your bulb at the same time as your partner will they open their flowers at the same time?"  Let me know what you think the answer is and I will reveal next week....

Lots of rain & floods. Unfortunately, many areas of Wales are now suffering with floods, including our museum at St Fagans. Maesycwmmer Primary School reported that they have had "A very wet week!" with over 100mm of rain in one day. Take a look at our recent weather reports sent in from schools to see how much rain they are getting. 

Across the world, many countries are suffering very badly from flooding. In Brazil, Australia and Sri Lanka floods have affected the lives of many people. Although you can't make a direct link between the recent floods and climate change, they do hold a warning for the future: Scientists predict such extreme weather events will increase both in intensity and frequency as the planet warms.

This is why the work that each spring bulb school is doing is so important - so please keep up the good work!

Professor Plant

Just one week of school - before Christmas!

I'd like to thank all the super scientists who have been carefully recording since the 1st of November - this is now the last recording week before Christmas. It has been a very cold winter for going outside and recording so I'm delighted with the dedication each of you has shown! Thankfully, this week is a little warmer so the measuring shouldn't be so cold on the fingers!

Many schools have expressed concerns about their bulbs getting damaged by the frost:

"Due to the extremely cold weather we are concerned that our plants might not survive" St. Mary's Catholic Primary School.

"It has been really cold. Will the bulbs grow?" Ysgol Porth Y Felin.

I've had a good chat with our Senior Gardener, Juliet, who works at St.Fagans and we both agree that the bulbs should be ok. There will be some bulbs damaged by the frost but daffodil and crocus bulbs are very tough - so most should be ok!

At this time of year the bulbs are tucked under the ground, so snow and ice isn't as damaging as it can be in the spring, when the delicate tips and flowers are out on show. So fingers crossed :-)

See more questions and answers below.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Professor Plant.

This week Ysgol Deganwy reported: 'Minus 11 is on Monday. Coldest day we've ever had in Deganwy school!' http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2968

Wow that is so cold! Hope it's warmer in your classrooms. That is the the coldest record a school has ever sent in. 

Has your school been colder? If so, let me know.

Professor Plant 

How the weather has changed since my report last week!

Temperatures have dropped and there is snow all over the country. Many schools have closed and many others are reporting 'rain gauges - full of snow'!

Maesycwmmer Primary School cleverly melted the snow in their rain gauge then recorded it! See the comments below.

Last night, temperatures plummeted to the coldest on record for November. In mid Wales, a record minimum of -18C (0F) was reached at Llysdinam, in Powys. Dr. Fred Slater reported: ‘I’ve been diligently recording the weather at Llysdinam Field Centre for the last 30 years – last night was the coldest on record”.

If you are able to get into school please send in your records and any snowy pictures you may have.

This cheeky little Robin reminded me of how hungry the birds are at this time of year. He came right up close to me this morning at St Fagans. Luckily, I had my lunch box so I gave him a few crumbs in exchange for a few close up pics.

If you would like to help the birds this winter remember to put some bird food out in your school or garden. I made some fat balls at the weekend. It was easy to do and good fun.

For details on how to make bird cakes and fat balls see http://bit.ly/i7mdNN

If you would like a good spot to watch birds why not visit our new bird hide at St.Fagans http://bit.ly/dmF0Ym

Professor Plant.