Plant growth without soil — really!

What better way to spend a cool summer morning than working in the garden. Each day I am amazed at what is growing out there. Please do not listen to those rumours going around – I have more than weeds! I know that not everyone has the luxury of space in their backyard to grow a garden but did you know that not all plants need soil to get started? You can start plants with limited space and just a few materials. Let’s get started!

Materials

- ripe avocado - knife - adult helper - clear glass - water - toothpicks - sunny spot - patience

Procedure

1. Have your adult helper cut the avocado in half. Be careful not to cut all the way through and damage the pit.

2. Carefully remove the pit and wash it thoroughly.

3. Make some guacamole with the remaining flesh! Enjoy!

4. Observe the pit from the avocado. You should notice that it is not completely round. One of the ends is a bit more pointed than the other. 5. In the pointed end, carefully push a toothpick in.

6. Place another toothpick in one side of the pit. Repeat on the opposite side. You will have three picks in the avocado.

7. Fill the clear glass about three quarters full of water.

8. Take the avocado pit and balance the toothpicks on the rim of the glass. Make sure that the “flatter” end of the pit is in the water.

9. Place the glass and avocado pit in a nice sunny location.

10. Make sure that you check on the pit each day and add water so that the “flatter” end of the pit remains submerged in the water.

11. The water may turn cloudy so you may want to change it once a week. 12. Patience. 13. In about two to six weeks you should observe that the “skin” around the pit will begin to peel off and roots will appear from the bottom of the pit.

14. Eventually a stalk will grow out of the top of the pit.

15. At this point you may wish to carefully put the avocado pit in a pot with some soil and allow it to grow.

What is going on?

I know it seems a bit strange growing plants without soil, but it is possible! A growing method called “hydroponics” allows you to grow plants in water instead of soil. The key to plant growth is the nutrients that soil provides the seeds to get established. Soil often provides nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for the plants but is often not there in just water and is often added depending on the needs of the plant.

As you can see, hydroponics may offer a benefit to the world. Some of us may not have the space to grow a garden outside. As well, good rich farmland is becoming scarcer as the population grows. Perhaps hydroponics will be a good option to grow healthy nutritious food in smaller spaces and inside year round? Something to consider for sure.

Did you know that there is a lovely little farm just outside of Medicine Hat that grows some amazing strawberries, lettuce and microgreens hydroponically! Be sure to check them out at your local Farmer’s Market next time you are there.

If you have an interest in science and want to learn more about Praxis please join us at our AGM Aug. 22 at Paradise Valley Golf Course. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. I hope to see you there!!

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. NOTE our NEW address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca.