Processing approximately 150,000 ml (150 L) of soil mix consisting of 40% sieved cow manure, 40% sand, and 20% clay was the main chore this week.  The soil needs sieving so that it can be easily washed from the harvested plant specimen to allow for a successful root scan.  More details later.

This was the amount needed for a preliminary greenhouse study requiring soil for 48 potted specimens.

We also bagged and processed this soil in the autoclave so that each plant specimen is started in a controlled, sterile soil mix.  Each bag was autoclaved for an approximate 90 minute cycle.  Imagine for a second the lovely aroma of cooked cow manure and you probably don’t need a picture for the time being — I”ll get one next week when we finish the autoclaving.

 

Our lambquarters and quinoa did well with their germination rate at around 70% of the seeds sprouting in their petri dish nursery.  This was good news.

The potted plant specimans will also need protection as they grow and each will a net tent to keep away the aphids.  We will manufacturing our own tents and I started sewing lessons this week.  Pictured is our Heavy Duty Singer machine.

Who knew scientists had to be a jack of all trades?