cngodles
27th October 2006, 08:50 AM
Experiment #3
Overview
Using Plant Gel for planting heteroclada with one method and continued observation planned.
Planned Work
The method is the planting of the heteroclada seeds directly into the Plant Gel itself. This is an untested method to me with any seeds this far, and I was interested if at least one will take.
The continued observation part will be the observation of the roots as granted by the plant gel over a 6-12 month period, if not longer. Plant Gel is not 100% translucent, thus total observation is not possible. However, I believe that I will have the ability to see darker solid objects such as rhizomes and I will be able to record my observations.
Detailed Work Plan
For this experiment, I will be using 6 seeds. This 6 seeds were purchased in late April of 2006, received on May 15 of 2006, and stored inside of a small plastic bag in a dark wooden box over the summer. I expect them to take about 4 weeks to germinate, as per previous seed planting experience. The seeds planted in the gel will be in a dark environment to start, and a somewhat filtered sunlight place throughout the experiment, unless I feel that direct sunlight is necessary. If I place it in direct sunlight, a cardboard shroud will be placed over the plant gel portion as not to encourage algae growth.
Mixing the plant gel was easy. I mixed two batches on the same night. The first batch was be used on Moso Seeds in an experiment to be posted perhaps later today. I bought two gallons of distilled water for 79 cents each. I would have made my own using my dehumidifier, but I did not feel like waiting the extra day.
I used two Rubbermaid clear plastic bottles that were rated for 1 gallon. I first poured the entire gallon into each bottle. I then added 24 drops of the supplied plant food. Next, I emptied the entire content of the plant gel packet into the bottle of water. The packet was quite small, only measuring 3 inches by 2 inches. The gel started to swell once it contacted the water, but not at a fast rate. In all, it takes 6 hours for the gel to expand to the top of the water line.
I will planted the seeds at around 11PM ET on October 26, 2006.
Plant Gel was acquired from: http://www.plantgel.com/ - Starter kit, $12
Plastic Bottle acquired from: Wal-Mart - Rubbermaid - 1 Gallon, $2.41
Distilled Water acquired from: Sprankles Market - Shurfine Distilled Drinking Water, $0.79
Phyllostachys heteroclada seeds acquired from: Banana Tree (http://www.banana-tree.com/) - 100 Seeds, $4.95
Supply Images
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/25_plant%20gel%20001.jpghttp://www.15656.com/media/images/library/26_plant%20gel%20002.jpg
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/27_plant%20gel%20003.jpghttp://www.15656.com/media/images/library/29_plant%20gel%20005.jpg
*Note: The last picture that is only 1/3 of the gel, the other 2/3 was getting strained.
Observation Log
2006
October
26 - Planted the seeds at 11PM. I placed 3 of the seeds directly inside gel, like the picture below. The other 3 were just placed inbetween gel globs. The gel used in this experiment was better drained than for experiment #2. I placed it under my hot desk lamp for a couple hours, but decided that I better just let it sit in room temperature. I grew mold inside my zip lock bags when I placed them under the lamp, so I figured the gel could do the game.
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/31_plant_gel_007.jpg
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/32_plant_gel_008.jpg
31 - No changes noticed. I have been picking up one of the gobs and looking at it closely. I am hoping that it will not get disorienated.
November
06 - 12th day of planting. No changes visible.
19 - 25th day of planting. 5 seeds have sprouted roots that I can tell. There is one other one that is bulged, so I'm not sure. Judging on the progression of one of the seeds, I believe that it has been sprouted for two or three days already. It's looking to be a complete 100% germination with this batch in the plant gel. I will post pictures tonight.
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/47_firstsprout.gif
26 - 32nd day of planting and I can confirm that all 6 seeds are on their way. 4 have visible green shoots, the other 2 have roots that are on their way. One of those may have a green shoot, but if it does, it's shooting through gel right now and I can't make it out. THe bottle is now in the sunny window receiving partal sun. It's in need of watering slightly. The gel has not yet been affected by the light, it may resist growth. I'll keep a close eye on it. The best part is 100% sucess!
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/54_gel.jpg
2007
March
26 - In January, I noticed the gel had started turing green and the alge growth started. I covered it up using white paper. By today, the planting looks like it is not going to survive. The bamboo just does not seem to want to take in something so wet.
Overview
Using Plant Gel for planting heteroclada with one method and continued observation planned.
Planned Work
The method is the planting of the heteroclada seeds directly into the Plant Gel itself. This is an untested method to me with any seeds this far, and I was interested if at least one will take.
The continued observation part will be the observation of the roots as granted by the plant gel over a 6-12 month period, if not longer. Plant Gel is not 100% translucent, thus total observation is not possible. However, I believe that I will have the ability to see darker solid objects such as rhizomes and I will be able to record my observations.
Detailed Work Plan
For this experiment, I will be using 6 seeds. This 6 seeds were purchased in late April of 2006, received on May 15 of 2006, and stored inside of a small plastic bag in a dark wooden box over the summer. I expect them to take about 4 weeks to germinate, as per previous seed planting experience. The seeds planted in the gel will be in a dark environment to start, and a somewhat filtered sunlight place throughout the experiment, unless I feel that direct sunlight is necessary. If I place it in direct sunlight, a cardboard shroud will be placed over the plant gel portion as not to encourage algae growth.
Mixing the plant gel was easy. I mixed two batches on the same night. The first batch was be used on Moso Seeds in an experiment to be posted perhaps later today. I bought two gallons of distilled water for 79 cents each. I would have made my own using my dehumidifier, but I did not feel like waiting the extra day.
I used two Rubbermaid clear plastic bottles that were rated for 1 gallon. I first poured the entire gallon into each bottle. I then added 24 drops of the supplied plant food. Next, I emptied the entire content of the plant gel packet into the bottle of water. The packet was quite small, only measuring 3 inches by 2 inches. The gel started to swell once it contacted the water, but not at a fast rate. In all, it takes 6 hours for the gel to expand to the top of the water line.
I will planted the seeds at around 11PM ET on October 26, 2006.
Plant Gel was acquired from: http://www.plantgel.com/ - Starter kit, $12
Plastic Bottle acquired from: Wal-Mart - Rubbermaid - 1 Gallon, $2.41
Distilled Water acquired from: Sprankles Market - Shurfine Distilled Drinking Water, $0.79
Phyllostachys heteroclada seeds acquired from: Banana Tree (http://www.banana-tree.com/) - 100 Seeds, $4.95
Supply Images
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/25_plant%20gel%20001.jpghttp://www.15656.com/media/images/library/26_plant%20gel%20002.jpg
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/27_plant%20gel%20003.jpghttp://www.15656.com/media/images/library/29_plant%20gel%20005.jpg
*Note: The last picture that is only 1/3 of the gel, the other 2/3 was getting strained.
Observation Log
2006
October
26 - Planted the seeds at 11PM. I placed 3 of the seeds directly inside gel, like the picture below. The other 3 were just placed inbetween gel globs. The gel used in this experiment was better drained than for experiment #2. I placed it under my hot desk lamp for a couple hours, but decided that I better just let it sit in room temperature. I grew mold inside my zip lock bags when I placed them under the lamp, so I figured the gel could do the game.
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/31_plant_gel_007.jpg
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/32_plant_gel_008.jpg
31 - No changes noticed. I have been picking up one of the gobs and looking at it closely. I am hoping that it will not get disorienated.
November
06 - 12th day of planting. No changes visible.
19 - 25th day of planting. 5 seeds have sprouted roots that I can tell. There is one other one that is bulged, so I'm not sure. Judging on the progression of one of the seeds, I believe that it has been sprouted for two or three days already. It's looking to be a complete 100% germination with this batch in the plant gel. I will post pictures tonight.
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/47_firstsprout.gif
26 - 32nd day of planting and I can confirm that all 6 seeds are on their way. 4 have visible green shoots, the other 2 have roots that are on their way. One of those may have a green shoot, but if it does, it's shooting through gel right now and I can't make it out. THe bottle is now in the sunny window receiving partal sun. It's in need of watering slightly. The gel has not yet been affected by the light, it may resist growth. I'll keep a close eye on it. The best part is 100% sucess!
http://www.15656.com/media/images/library/54_gel.jpg
2007
March
26 - In January, I noticed the gel had started turing green and the alge growth started. I covered it up using white paper. By today, the planting looks like it is not going to survive. The bamboo just does not seem to want to take in something so wet.