The steps for preparing a temporary mount of a leaf peel to observe stomata are as follows:
- Obtain a leaf: Choose a healthy, young leaf from a plant. The lower epidermis is usually preferred as it tends to have more stomata.
- Peel the epidermis: Using forceps, gently peel off a thin layer of epidermis from the lower surface of the leaf. This is often easiest to do by using a needle to lift a small edge of the epidermis and then carefully peeling it away. Try to avoid tearing the peel.
- Mount the peel: Place the peeled epidermis onto a clean microscope slide. Add a drop of water to the peel. The water helps to keep the peel flat and prevents it from drying out.
- Add stain (optional): A stain such as iodine or methylene blue can be added to make the stomata more visible. This step is optional.
- Lower the coverslip: Carefully lower a coverslip onto the peel at a 45-degree angle to avoid trapping air bubbles. Gently lower the coverslip to prevent damage to the peel.
- Remove excess water (optional): If there is excess water, gently blot it away with a piece of absorbent paper. Avoid pressing down hard on the coverslip.
- Observe under microscope: Observe the slide under a microscope, starting with low power and gradually increasing magnification to observe the details of the stomata.