Pat+Burpee

= = toc =Root Enhancers=

Goals:
For this project, the main goal was to distinguish if there was a large difference between plants that did use root stimulators to those that did not. I wanted to learn about how the different types of roots worked and how exactly these root enhancers either benefitted or harmed the crop. Like stated earlier, the purpose was to get a closer look at what happens of a three week period when one combines stimulants with radish seeds. The prediction was that by the end of the testing period, the plants (#13-24) that did have the stimulator would be both lusher and taller than plants 1-12.

Discoveries:
I learned that my hypothesis was true to some extent. The plants with enhancer did grow faster, taller, and more full during the first two weeks, yet the results did not meet my expectations. At the end of the project, the enhanced plants were only about half a centimeter taller than the natural plants, making my prediction only half right. I was surprised to see this happen, especially towards the end of the experiment. If anything, I thought that the enhanced plants would pull away after about the first week because the enhancer would have been absorped, not within the first couple days. I would take away that if one is to use a garden, root enhancers do prove to be helpful in the field of gaining an advantage over the competition. However, after the first two weeks or so, there is very little use for said stimulants.

Challenges:
The biggest challenge was attempting to give each plant the right amount of water and root enhancer. Also, each plant did not have the same amount of soil which was a human error. For the first mistake, not every plant could receive the same dosage of water, seeing that each plant's soil level was at a different height. Although I used a measuring cup to make sure each slot was provided the correct amount of either water or stimulant, there were still wide ranges of heights in the same categories. This could also be due to the fact that the plants did not all receive the same amount of sunlight. Because I could not monitor the flat 24/7, I had to rely on good placement in the morning for ideal conditions, hoping that each plant would be given enough sun time. For the soil, the flat came with pre-packed balls in each slot. When water was poured into these slots, the soil (that was in a ball) expanded to fill out the alotted area. The problem arose when a slot would either absorb too much or too little water. Each individual slot was given the same amount of water, yet the soil would rise to different levels in each of these slots. When more water would poured in hopes of evening out these levels, it only made the issue worse. I finally had to decide to let the soil be and try to make up for it.

Solutions:
Through trial and error, I was able to almost solve each one of these problems stated earlier. Because I am human, not everything can be perfect. This is why certain plants possibly grew taller than others.

Looking Back:
If I could do this project again, I would deffinitely be more exact during the setup and watering times of the experiment, for this is where most of my errors occurred. It would have been conveinent if a "robot" could measure each dosage correctly, allowing for barely any errors.

5 Things I Suggest You Do:
1. I am sure that everyone is saying this, but you need to have good time management to finish this on time. Many of my friends were up until midnight, cramming the final details. If you plan accordingly, you can make sure everything is set on the night before, removing the stressful side of the project.

2. Plan well. Make sure if you are doing an experiment that you constantly check up on your progress. Recording your data and observations will allow you to later make good statements and write a thorough paper.

3. Also take pictures no matter what type of project you do. This way you can show your peers and help them understand visually, not just orally.

4. Make sure you take the corrections from your drafts and apply them do your final draft. Also, keep them because you need to hand them in at the end of the project.

5. Do not plagarize.