Join our 4-H teens as they step into the world of plant science.
What are we learning about today?
Did you know plants don't actually need soil to grow? Plants really only need four main things: air, light, water, and nutrients.
That's the science behind hydroponics – growing plants in water instead of dirt. People all over the world use hydroponics to grow crops using less space, and it can even help plants produce more. With hydroponics, gardeners can grow plants all year round. Even astronauts on the International Space Station use hydroponics!
What do you need?
- Seeds
- Rockwool cubes – that's our growing medium
- Seed starter tray
- Two clear test tubes
- Water
- Hydroponic nutrient solution
- Pipettes
- Aluminum foil
- Plant tags and marker
- Safety gear: gloves and goggles
Try it yourself
- Germinate.
- Plant your seeds into the rockwool cubes inside a seed tray. Add a little water, label your tray, and place it by a sunny window. In about 3-7 days, the seeds will sprout roots.
- Move it.
- Once the roots grow long enough, it's time to move to them to the test tubes
- Label one test tube "water" and the other "nutrient solution." Fill each tube to the 35 ml mark – one with plain water, one with nutrient solution.
- Then, carefully place your seedlings into the tubes so the roots touch the liquid, but the rockwool stays above it.
- Wrap foil around the outside of the test tubes – this keeps light from hitting the roots.
- Put both tubes near a sunny window or under a grow light.
- Observe.
- For the next month, check your plants twice a week. Keep the liquid at the 35 ml mark by adding water or nutrient solution with your pipette.
- Record your observations: Which plant looks stronger? Which one grows taller? Do the leaves look different?
- By the end, you'll see a big difference.
Open and print the supply list for yourself!
Want to learn more?