Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son is doing an experiment testing different kinds of fertilizers, organic and chemical. He is planning to measure the plants to see which one grows the tallest. We planted corn seeds in plastic cups 2 weeks ago. None of them have begun to come up. We have a light on them to keep the soil warm and have been watering them as needed. His project is due in 2 weeks. I'm really worried. The teacher says that if they don't come up he gets a zero. What can he do? He's in the 9th grade.

Hi - is it possible that these seeds need different conditions to sprout? Has he researched the conditions that are required for corn seeds to sprout? Temperature may be too warm, soil too wet or dry, or some other factor that affects corn seed germination.
Will he add fertilizers after the seeds sprouted? Or has he already added these variables?

If he is testing the effect of various fertilizers on the growth of the plants, then he could start with seeds that are already sprouted as long as all the seeds sprouted under the same conditions at the same time.

Let me know more about the procedure and have him try to sprout new seeds as soon as possible under optimal conditions.

Good luck.

Hi,

Where did you get the seed and how old is it? Corn needs to be pretty fresh to germinate well. Also, the soil temperature needs to be 75-80F. If it is cold in the room where the pots are, especially at night, the seeds won't germinate. Get a heating pad, put it under the pots and set it on low. Check the soil temp with a thermometer.

Instead of corn, try beans. They germinate quickly and grow fast.

Keep trying! You will succeed.

Sybee

We used the same soil from our garden that we plant our corn in each summer. I don't think it's been any cooler than 73 degrees inside, and we keep a lamp on them. I will check the temp with a thermometer, but I think it should be about right. We fertilized when we planted and have been using the mixed fertilizer when watering. We have some that we used no fertilizer, and they are not coming up either. We bought the seed at the co-op so I'm not sure how long they have been there.

If I plant something else, what would be the quickest to come up? Beans, radishes?? The final project is due soon. We really only have a little over a week to continue working on it.

From my experience Lima beans grow very fast
You can sprout them first in damp paper towels to be sure they are all viable. Then plant all at the same time , same conditions, and set up you control group and your fertilizer experimental groups.

If anyone has experience with radish seeds please we us know.

Good luck!! You will get some results very quickly with Lima beans from what I've seen in the classroom

We have something coming up. I'm not sure if it's corn though. It looks like a little delicate blade of grass. What does it look like when it first begins to come up?

Like a blade of grass-- corn IS a grass.

Of, course, since you planted the corn in garden soil then it will have some weed seeds and that may be what you are seeing sprouting. If you have planted corn every summer, you should know what a corn seedling looks like--they're pretty big.

When you do science project experiments with plants, you should use sterile potting soil or seeding mix so as not to introduce any other factors along with your plant.

Have you planted some beans yet? Better do it right away.

Hi - Yes, I agree with SciB - get those lima beans sprouted ASAP! they are very fast growers - and once sprouted you can plant them and start your experiment.
You will have measurable results in a few days - but get them planted - and remember all sprouted and then planted under the same controlled conditions (same container, water, soil, light, temperature)
Take initial measurements of height, color, general appearance (make a chart for all observations - quantitative and qualitative) for all groups.
Then start your experiment -
Take pictures of the plants as you record data - sometimes color of leaves will be something different among the groups - not just height of the plants.

Good luck!

Yes, I know what corn looks like after it starts to grow. This was really small so I was just being hopeful that maybe it was the corn. We have absolutely no time for this. We just got the info about the science fair a week before we started the experiment. We have been so rushed, and there are so many other things going on right now that I don't have time to stop by the co-op during the week before it closes. I did buy some radish seeds at Walmart last night and plant them. I will try to do the lima beans this weekend. Everything is just so rushed. We have to have the rough draft turned in Monday. I doubt we'll have any results by then. The final project is due the 17th. I'm just to the point now, if he gets a 0, he just gets a 0. He has an "A" right now, but oh well!

Thanks for all your help, though. I'm just frustrated.

How about doing the effect of fert on sprouting time ?l Lima beans sprout quickly

I thought about that. We might work on that along side everything else and see what's happening Sunday morning.

How would I go about fertilizing the lima beans if I wrap them in papertowels? Could I dampen the papertowels with the fertilizer mixture instead of water?

That sounds like a good idea
Make solutions of your fertilizer -
Make sure you have looked over all requirements for good experimental design

A control group and your experimental groups. You need several beans in each group