Home > categories > Minerals & Metallurgy > Vermiculite > How can I view roots of a plant growing in dirt without removing the plant completely?
Question:

How can I view roots of a plant growing in dirt without removing the plant completely?

I‘m doing a PJAS project and I really need help so I can have more informations of the root‘s daily growth. Thank you for those who help me! lt;3lt;3lt;3

Answer:

Plant it in an old aquarium, or anything with clear sides, right next to the glass. I did peanuts that way.
I would suggest soiless hydroponics. Or grow in semi-transparent agar. However, If you absolutely have to use Soil. or vermiculite etc. Is just Viewing some of the roots sufficient. If its observation only, Can grow in a transparent container, glass or plastic. But do you need to measure their lengths or weigh them? If you do not wish to remove the soil and re-pot, thinking it might have an effect, another variable to worry about. If you are able to grow hundreds of plants. You can sacrafice 10 daily. Dump out their soil, rinse off, blot dry, measure, cut off root and weigh etc. Discard these when done. Do the same on 10 more the next day. Generate statistics from all this data. You should be able to make accurate conclusions.
When starting off in low, get moving to remove load and ease off to allow shift with no load.

Share to: