The Minimal Effect Different Media have on the Height of Marigolds

Alex, Kitty, Sasha, 6L

(From February 24th to  March 24th '09)

abstract

     In this experiment every group had to pick an experiment to do answering the question how can we ensure maximum plant growth. Our group decided to test if different mediums affect the height of marigolds. We put one type of fertilizer in one container, and another fertilizer in another container. In the last container we put only soil. Two Marigold seeds were put into each container, and then we watched, observed and measured the plants for four weeks. Our hypothesis was that different mediums affect the height of Marigolds. In the end our hypothesis was supported.

Materials and Methods

Materials

• Nine Marigold seeds
• Nine cups
• 900 ml of Hoffman’s professional all purpose soil 
• 225 ml organic traditions fertilizer

• 225 ml holly-tone fertilizer
• nine plastic cups
• 1260 ml of filtered tap
• scissor
• ruler (cm)

Procedure

1. Gather Supplies
2. Poke 3 holes in all cups about 1 cm wide
3. Number cups 1-3.  1 is organic traditions mixed with regular soil, 2 is holly-tone mixed with regular soil, and 3 is just regular soil.
4. Add 75 ml of organic tradtions into cup #1.
5. Add 75 ml of  Hoffman’s professional all purpose soil into cup #1.
6. Add 75 ml of holly-tone into cup #2.
7. Add 75 ml of  Hoffman’s professional all purpose soil into cup #2.
8. Add 150 ml of  Hoffman’s professional all purpose soil into cup #3.
9. Put one Marigold seed into each container about 3 cm below the top of the dirt.
10. Water plants 15 ml of filtered tap water.
11. Make observations.
12. Do steps 10 and 11 for the next four weeks.
13. Take pictures every tuesday and friday that the experiment is going on.
14. Measure plants with the ruler with cm on it every tuesday and friday.
15. Analize data. 

Results

* The last day of the experiment was three weeks after we started not four.

The averaged height of the marigolds in different media on the last day of the experiment graph

Pictures

This is a picture of the experimental setup:

This is a picture of the marigold plant with no fertilizer on day eighteen:

This is a picture of the marigold plant with Organic Traditions fertilizer on day eighteen:

This is a picture of the marigold plant with Holly-Tone fertilizer on day eighteen:

Lessons learned 

• Our hypothesis was supported.
• The marigold with only soil in it was the only plant that grew. 
• All the plants with fertilizers did not grow at all, which is an affect.
• We had a huge problem starting the experiment on time; we started it more than a week late. Because we did this, the last week of our experiment cannot be counted because it was spring break and we were all away. We only measured, observed, and water the plants on the first week too.

other experiments done by the same group members:

Adding Worms to Soil to See if They Affect the Height of Plants- Alex, Kitty, Sasha '08-'09Type of Liquid Affects

Different Media Effects on the Height of Viola Plants- Alex, Kitty, Sasha '08-'09

Different Watering Liquids have an Effect on Marigolds-Alex, Kitty, Sasha '08-'09