Hydroponics vs soil

Growing plants/saplings in hydroponics vs soil 

Which is more effective way to grow plans In Hydrponics or in soil

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that the plants grown using hydroponics will grow taller than in soil.

Method & Observations

First germinate seeds, then transfer them to a Hydroponic System (water culture system, a flood and drain system) and pot them in soil

1.  saplings are traferred to the hydroponic system and soil. These are put under 2 conditions

   • Completely in shade 

   • Gets sunlight for most part of the day

Challenges faced: The first lot of saplings died due to the significant temperature variations and over plant food mix. These saplings are regrown over 2 weeks of period. 

• Qualitative Observations Hydroponics:

  • Adding more nutrients i have observed that saplings died.  On my second attempt , maintain the pH value of the water and half cup plant food for 5 gallons of water yielded better results. 

• Qualitative Observations Soil:  I haved added earthworm castings which killed the saplings. I have observed on my second attempt while the sapling are growing using the regular potting soil and keeping the low moisture will help them grow. 

Analysis

• From the data i gathered in two weeks as shown in the table above. I did not observer much difference in the growth of the plants in Hydropinics(under shade & sunlight). This could be due to the amount of time i have given for my observations. This experiment shows in a small amout of time of two weeks the Hydroponics and soil shows closer results. But over few more weeks the results would have been more conclusive. 

Improvements and reliability

• Sapplings have to be grown sufficiently larger up to 2 inches (5cm) on pellets before transefring to hyderponics and soli pots

• Plant food for the saplings should be minimum not to concentrate it much. Same goes for the soil not put any earth worm menure just the regular soil with minmum wetness. ( In my experiment i made both mistakes due to which my sapliings died) 

• If the temperature outside is cold put them near the window where there is sunlight inside the house. 

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Conclusion:

Since I lost time due to the failure first attempt. I had to regrow the saplings and tranfer. Due to which i lost significant time. From the second attempt of this experiement there is not any significant difference in the growth of the plants in two weeks. My results are in conclusive.