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Need Help - science project gone wrong
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
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science422
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 9:53 am
- Occupation: Student: 8th grade
- Project Question: For my project, my idea was to have 3 different types of soils (compost, regular soil and soil with fertilizer. I planted 10 beans of green beans in each soil sample(the container holding each is a cake top box) and i did this about 3-4 weeks ago. So far, only ONE plant from the "regular" soil has grow. My project is due very soon and I'm not sure what to do. I tested all the pH levels of the soil. Is there anyway I can fix/change my project with the materials and variable I have now?
- Project Due Date: February 26th, 2015
- Project Status: I am conducting my experiment
Need Help - science project gone wrong
For my project, I wanted to see how green beans would grow in different types of soil. I had chemical, regular, and compost soil. I planted 10 beans in each box(cake top containers.) it's been 4 weeks and only one plant has grown. What do I do? My project is due in 2 weeks and My project completely failed me. I collected the pH levels of each soil sample. Could I change my project so it wouldn't have anything I do with plants and just my soil? This project is 50% of my grade- all help is extremely appreciated!!
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SciB
- Expert
- Posts: 2071
- Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
- Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
- Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Need Help - science project gone wrong
Beans grow fast and you still have time, so don't panic. Buy some fresh pole bean seeds like Kentucky Wonder and soak them in water for 8 hours or overnight. Plant them about 2 cm deep in the soil that you already have set up.
I don't know why your beans didn't sprout before but here are some possible reasons:
1. seed too old [Germination of bean seeds is poor if they are a couple of years old.]
2. soil too dry [The soil needs to be kept moist but not wet. Soaking the beans in water gets them started quicker.]
3. soil too cold [This is really important since beans like heat. For good germination the soil temp should be at least 25C and preferably warmer (77-85F)]
So, go buy some more bean seeds today, soak them and plant them tonight. Keep your boxes in a warm place and you should have sprouts in a few days. How are you planning to compare plant growth--by weighing the plants? I would take pictures every day of the plants and measure their height. At the end of the experiment, pull the plants out of the soil, dip the roots in water to rinse off the dirt, dry them with paper towels and weigh each one. Compare the average weights and calculate standard deviations so you can do a statistical test. If you need help with that let us know.
Good luck!
Sybee
I don't know why your beans didn't sprout before but here are some possible reasons:
1. seed too old [Germination of bean seeds is poor if they are a couple of years old.]
2. soil too dry [The soil needs to be kept moist but not wet. Soaking the beans in water gets them started quicker.]
3. soil too cold [This is really important since beans like heat. For good germination the soil temp should be at least 25C and preferably warmer (77-85F)]
So, go buy some more bean seeds today, soak them and plant them tonight. Keep your boxes in a warm place and you should have sprouts in a few days. How are you planning to compare plant growth--by weighing the plants? I would take pictures every day of the plants and measure their height. At the end of the experiment, pull the plants out of the soil, dip the roots in water to rinse off the dirt, dry them with paper towels and weigh each one. Compare the average weights and calculate standard deviations so you can do a statistical test. If you need help with that let us know.
Good luck!
Sybee
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deleted-3443
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:45 pm
- Occupation: homeschooling parent
- Project Question: n/a
- Project Due Date: n/a
- Project Status: Not applicable
Re: Need Help - science project gone wrong
Another thought is to plant Wisconsin Fast Plants
www.fastplants.org
On the top bar, click "Life Cycle" to see if they will grow fast enough. Click "How to Order" to see how to get some.
Good luck!
www.fastplants.org
On the top bar, click "Life Cycle" to see if they will grow fast enough. Click "How to Order" to see how to get some.
Good luck!