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Happy Sprout Day
Posted on Jun 15, 2012 10:20:38 AM | Don Pettit | 6 Comments    |


April 12
We got new aeroponic bags today. They are a new design, much simpler than the old ones. One corner is cut off and then pushed inwards so it points inside the bag. This makes an opening where the water does not crawl out from capillary action. A piece of foam is placed inside to keep the sides from collapsing so the bag remains puffed up. Our root ball is squeezed through the cut corner so our roots hang inside the puffed up part of the bag. Then about 50 milliliters of water with nutrient tea is injected inside through the opening. Our roots hang mostly in the air but can grow into water if desired. We like our new bags.

new bags

April 19
Our algae friends moved with us into our new aeroponic bags so our roots are once again turning green. I sort of like these little fellows; they tickle my roots when they swim around. Our leaves are happy. It will be awhile before I am ready to bloom again.



April 20
This is so strange. I overheard my crew wishing Gardener a happy sprout day. Why would anyone want to celebrate the day they sprouted?

Don's blog also appears at airspacemag.com.

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6 Comments so far ( Post your own )
6 On Jun 15, 2012 11:14:06 PM  Wenjoy  added a comment on your blog post. 

Do you try to make your roots grab the foam for support or are you happy with them floating free?

5 On Jun 16, 2012 06:22:30 AM  evab  added a comment on your blog post. 

Who moves movement ???

4 On Jun 15, 2012 01:29:38 PM  Guy Schaefer  added a comment on your blog post. 

How does zero-g affect your growth? Do you grow more elongated without the restriction of gravity? I would assume you still grow towards you light source but I would also assume something has to change in the unique environment you're in. Talking to plants is supposed to make pants happier, any good conversations with your space brethren up there?

3 On Jun 18, 2012 04:32:34 AM  guest  added a comment on your blog post. 

i want to become an astronaut when i grow up. what can i do to achieve this goal? is their a certain field i should study in?

2 On Jun 15, 2012 12:52:23 AM  Cynthia Castle  added a comment on your blog post. 

Celebrate the sprout day!

1 On Jun 17, 2012 11:09:11 AM  Fernando  added a comment on your blog post. 

Innovación para la vida.. Increíble

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