-step 1 Select a plant with a stem thick enough to fit tightly in to the bung
-step 2 Cut the stem at an angle underwater.
-Step 3 Submerge the conical flask in water to fill it.
-Step 4 Fit the shoot into the bung of the flask and push the bung onto the flask filled with water.
-Step 5 Submerge the graduated capillary tube, with the rubber tubing attached, so it fills with water. While still submerged, attach the rubber tubing to the side arm of the filter flask.
-Step 6 Remove the apparatus from the sink and support as shown in Figure 1.20.
-Step 7 smear the joint between the shoot and the flask with Vaseline.
- Step 8 Clamp the syringe containing water so it is vertical, with the needle pushed into the rubber tubing as shown.
-Step 9 Record the time taken for the end of the water column to cover a given distance along the capillary tube. Obtain a number of readings and calculate the average value.
-Step 10 Investigate the effects of various factors on the rate of water uptake such as: (a) humidity (enclosing the shoot in a transparent plastic bag); (b) water loss (covering the upper and/or lower epidermises of the leaves); and (c) wind (exposing the leaves to wind from a nearby fan)