Growth comes in all shapes, sizes, and paces.
Starting strong
April 17 - seeds taken from cucumbers and “Towel growing method” began
April 22 - cucumber seeds died, set up soil in cups, transitioned toward lettuce
April 23 - plant lettuce seeds
April 24-25 - expected sprouting dates
April 28 - END GOAL present to senior exhibition panel
I will continue to update on this website how the plants continue to grow.
Diagram of the pots
On the right you will see a diagram of the pot I am using.
You can see on the bottom of the pot are rocks, which is what the French drainage system implements. This system has become so effective that producers are beginning to build the system into pots.
You will also see a bowl like plate at the bottom. This is for the pots I am bottom watering. Bottom watering is a strategy where water is placed only in the bowl, and will then be absorbed by the soil. This strategy is excellent and very commonly used, It will not be used for the pots that are 100% or 75% Martian soil as the soil is so claylike it will probably not drain.
Instead, the pots that are not bottom watered will be sprayed with water. This will give the plants direct access to water rather than fighting with the soil to absorb it, as both components want to absorb the water.
Pot 1 - 100% Earthen soil
Pot 2 - 75% Earthen soil + 25% Martian soil
Pot 3 - 50% Earthen soil + 50% Martian soil
Pot 4 - 25% Earthen soil - 75% Martian soil
Pot 5 - 100% Martian soil