By: Kate J.
The purpose of this
experiment was to demonstrate the effectiveness of
growing plants in a nutrient-based water solution and compare
it to growing
the same plants in growing medium (in this case, vermiculite)
only. To
carry out this experiment, a twenty-gallon aquarium was used to
hold the
nutrient-based water solution and the plants (Brassica rapa seeds).
Vermiculite was used as the growing medium for plants not grown
hydroponically. Vermiculite was also put in the bottom of the
containers of
the hydroponically grown plants in an effort to keep them from
"drowning".
Both sets of plants experienced two fixed-periods per day under
the "grow
lights" in the Greenhouse at Germantown Academy Middle School.
The plants
grown in vermiculite only were watered with distilled water three
times per
week.
Although the plants grown in vermiculite germinated, they could
not grow for
very long because there were no nutrients in the vermiculite to
keep the
plants growing and healthy. The plants grown hydroponically grew
very fast,
but as growth continued, the plants were being drowned by the
nutrient-based
solution in which the plants were growing. The hydroponic plants
were
healthier and grew faster until they started to be drowned by
the solution.
More vermiculite and less nutrient-based solution would have given
the plants
a more healthy growing experience. Because growing plants hydroponically
is
at least as effective as growing plants in vermiculite, hydroponics
should be
experimented with in empty buildings or warehouses because ideal
growing
conditions can be recreated open spaces can be saved.
