ORCHID SCIENCE PROJECT

[ryrycochinco]

Hi guys! In school there is a science fair coming up. I wanted to ( of course ) incorporate orchids into my project. The problem is I can't deside on a specific orchid/experiment/whatever!

This is your chance to turn orchid myths/theorys into FACTS. I have 5 months for this experiment and will record/update you guys on my progress. I have a greenhouse and lab material at my disposal, and am willing to buy orchid if necessary. Come on guys, THINK. Lets make this interesting!

P.S. Knowing you guys, there will be alot of awsome ideas, so maybe I do more in my free time. ( I'm a kid, I have alot! ) Maybe I could be the forums mad scientist?PUT ME TO WORK!

[Wrebbitrocks]

get some phals and try out each of the rooting hormones (superthrive, kln, essentials, ray's seaweed fertlizer) on them to see which one seems to work more efficient in the shortest amount of time (the most roots, how fast they started to grow roots, vigor of plant i.e. new leaves extra spikes) go to trader joes so you can get several of the exact same phal for cheap in the same media. i would say 8 of them if you can afford it so you can do a double experiment to see if a higher dosage (2x or go backwards to 1/2x) will create more root production than normal dosage. im sure it would be interesting for you to experiment on

[Wrebbitrocks]

your variables would be the different products and the 2 different dosages and you would keep constant the watering schedule, environment (humidity,temp,light), media, and amount of time using products. oh also you need to have one plain water plant as a control. after youre done you could just keep the plants for your own experiments like trying each in different medias, mounted, outside, lower/higher light to get the hang of things before getting more expensive plants. or you could sell/give them away as gifts there or on the board goodluck hope that helped

[ryrycochinco]

Thanks! Great idea! Perfect excuse to buy more orchids!

"...But mom, I NEED more orchids to get a good grade!".

BTW: Forget phal noIDs, I should use this opportunity to knock some plants off my wishlist!

[Call_Me_Bob]

hey! nice to see another teen, lol!

you could do something where you compare a few different growing styles. although you might want to limit it to just 1 to keep it simple. you could do like mounted vs potted with bark. or..

bark vs sphag or bark vs mounted vs sphag vs water culture vs semihydro!

or could could do something really cool to show how temperature influences color!

[cbuchman]

You could also look at the impact of bottom heat on root growth. Might not take as many orchid 'tho

[ryrycochinco]

I like the temp vs. Bloom color idea, I've always been curious.....

[magicatt]

I agree with the above, but you could do a fertilizer vs no fertilizer. Or some sun vs no sun. You could measure the footcandles with a camera. What fun! Be sure to get an orchid you really like cause you'll need about three for the controls. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[ryrycochinco]

[ryrycochinco]

I don't think I could deprive an orchid of sun and watch it die. LOL!

Hmmm, Or watch it.... not die? That the question isn't it