There are many different types of systems that can be used to grow plants using hydroponics, such as the "floating raft", "ebb-and-flow", and "deep water culture" system. In this experiment, we decided to build a similar one to the "deep water culture" system, as it seemed to be the most appropriate.
Materials
Procedures
9. Took out the pole bean seedlings out of their pot of soil, dipped the roots into the container of water, and cleaned the soil off the roots as much as possible without causing any damage to the roots |
10. Inserted the roots through the bottom hole of the yogurt cup, and placed the cleaned expanded clay pellets in the yogurt cup (clay pellets are used to help support the roots and plant in place) 11. Placed the yogurt cup containing the plant into the lid with the drilled holes, and placed it on top of the rectangular pot with the nutrient solution (roots should reach nutrient solution) 12. Repeated steps 9-11 until all seedlings were transplanted to the hydroponic container 13. Taped the long wooden dowels together (vertically) to make one long stick, and with using the twist ties, the stem of the vegetables was loosely tied to the stick to support the vegetable 14. Taped the grid papers together to make one big sheet, placed it on a wall behind the pots 15. Set up the camera onto the stand and placed masking tape on the floor to mark the position of the stand's legs to not move the camera too much 16. The pole beans were watered every 1-2 days, depending on the dryness of the soil 17. The height of the pole beans was measured (the stem was straightened and the pole bean was measured to the highest point) everyday at around the same time (9:00 p.m - 10:00 p.m) for 20 days 18. On the 20th day, the colour and overall appearance of the leaves and stems of the beans growing in soil and nutrient solution were recorded and compared |
Building the hydroponic system
Preparing soil for Growing Seedlings
The seeded pots filled with soil were placed near the window for natural sunlight and were watered about 1/2 to 1 cup of water each day, or when the soil was dry. The pole beans were grown for 12 days to reach seedlings sizes that were ready for transplanting.
Once the seedlings grew to the desired height, they were removed from the soil and their roots were cleaned in cold tap water. Five seedlings were transplanted into hydroponics, and the other five were transplanted into soil. The reason for transplanting the seedlings from soil, to soil, is because we need to keep variables consistent. If we did not do this, then the ones in the soil might have an advantage, as roots or parts of the plant would not have been damaged or moved.
The growth height and appearance of the plants were taken daily.
Once the seedlings grew to the desired height, they were removed from the soil and their roots were cleaned in cold tap water. Five seedlings were transplanted into hydroponics, and the other five were transplanted into soil. The reason for transplanting the seedlings from soil, to soil, is because we need to keep variables consistent. If we did not do this, then the ones in the soil might have an advantage, as roots or parts of the plant would not have been damaged or moved.
The growth height and appearance of the plants were taken daily.
[1] - Information from package label for large clay pellets from Willgro (company)