Research Report
Why did I choose Rootblast?
When I first saw the Rootblast ads on television I thought “what a money wasting scam.” Then I reconsidered and thought that this might actually work. So when we got to choose our own subject for the Science Fair, I decided it was an excellent opportunity to test whether or not Rootblast actually delivers on its promise.
What is Rootblast/ how do I apply it?
Rootblast is a chemical and hormone free fertilizer, made from all natural earth elements. It promises to grow bigger roots on all plants. Benefits of having bigger roots are that the plant gets more water and nutrients, the larger roots help when you need to transplant the plant because it lessens the chance of the plant going into shock, and also deeper roots make the plant more drought resistant.
As I am using this product on seedlings, the recommended application is to sprinkle 1 teaspoon into the hole where it is to be planted and work this into the soil. Plant the seedling and then water thoroughly. You do not apply Rootblast again.
What is the products composition/ What does the product contain?
I looked on the back of the box and it showed under the heading Low Analysis Fertilizer that the three main ingredients in rootblast are:
Potash 2% - which is the common name for various manufactured salts that contain potassium (chemical element K 19). Very pure, un-oxidized potassium is a bright shiny metal.
Nitrogen 2% - a colourless, odorless gas that is in the air (chemical element N 7). There is a lot of nitrogen around. Over 78 percent of the atmosphere is nitrogen.
Phosphate 1% - a tertiary salt made from phosphate rocks (chemical element P 15), which can be used to create fertilizer. The more common known form is red phosphate (on the tip of matches).
Rootblast also contains a blend of over 12 minor micronutrients, only known to the manufacturer.
Why did I choose Thrive?
My parents use Thrive in the garden to feed the plants. I thought it would be a good product to compare to Rootblast. I had not heard of Thrive before doing this project.
What is Thrive/ how do I apply it?
Thrive is a fast acting complete fertilizer. It feeds the plant through the foliage and the roots. It was formulated to encourage prolific flowering and fruiting.
Dissolve 4 tablespoons of Thrive in 4.5 liters of water. Water with Thrive every two weeks.
What is the products composition/ What does the product contain?
I will be using Thrive soluble flower and fruit plant food. This product has the same three main ingredients as Rootblast, and contains other trace elements known to the manufacturer. This is what was printed on the box under the heading Guaranteed Analysis:
Nitrogen 15%
Phosphorus 4%
Potassium 26%
Why did I choose to use the Worm Farm?
When learning about eco houses last year, most of the students included a Worm Farm in their designs to use up the waste from vegetable and fruit scraps. My family have a Worm Farm that I can use for this project. I like the idea that the Worm Farm produces food for plants that is all natural with nothing added.
What is a Worm Farm/ how do I apply it?
A Worm Farm is a cold compost. It uses Tiger worms to eat kitchen food scraps and turn them into compost. The Worm Farm produces worm wee (worm tea) and worm poo (vermicast), that are great for plant growth.
Water down the worm wee 1 part wee to 10 parts water, and water every second day. Plant the seedlings in an equal mixture of potting mix and worm poo.
What is the products composition/ What does the product contain?
The worm wee and worm poo contain high levels of the same three elements as Rootblast and Thrive, but does not have any other added elements. I do not have any idea of the percentages of the three elements the worm farm produces:
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium
Definitions:
Chemical: A solid or a liquid that has been made by man.
Drought: A prolonged absence of rain.
Elements: All things are made from a mixture of elements. Elements on the periodic table are on their own (not a mixture) and cannot be broken down.
Fertilizer: Something you add to soil to make it easier to grow plants.
Foliage: Plant leaves.
Hormone: A substance produced in the body that controls certain cell structures and growth.
Micronutrients: Mini nutrients.
Nutrients: Substances that provide nourishment for essential growth and maintenance of life.
Oxidized: Combined chemically with oxygen.
Prolific: Producing plenty of fruit or foliage.
Transplant: To move and plant somewhere else.
Purpose
The reason I choose to research different fertilizers for this Science Fair Project, was so I could find out what the fastest and most prolific way of growing a plant is.
My Hypothesis
If I plant three different types of plants, and then use different fertilizers, (including Rootblast), then I predict that the plants fertilized with Rootblast will not only grow bigger roots than the other plants but will also grow bigger and be healthier. I believe that this will be the outcome as although Rootblast contains the same three ingredients as the other fertilizers, Rootblast took 17 years to develop and has been scientifically tested.
Planning my test
I am going to find out what happens to plants when I change the type of fertilizers.
The one factor I am going to change is the brand of fertilizer used when watering and planting.
I will use:
- Rootblast
- Thrive
- Worm Farm
- Control
The factors I am going to keep the same are:
- Container Size
- Potting mix
- The amount of watering
- Time of watering
- Conditions the plant is grown in
- Original plant size
Instructions on how to test which fertilizer performs best when growing plants
Equipment Required:
- 4 Equally sized Cornflower Seedlings
- 4 Equally sized Spinach Seedlings
- 4 Equally sized Cannonball Cabbage Seedlings
- 1 Small Bag Potting Mix
- 12 10cmx12cm Planter Bags
- Rootblast
- Thrive Soluble Flower and Fruit Plant Food
- Worm Farm
- Water
- 4 Jam Jars with 2/3 cup measurement on them, and name each jar with one type of fertilizer only
- Labels for each plant combined with all the different fertilizers eg: Cornflower-Rootblast, Cornflower Thrive etc… You will have 12 labels in total
- Somewhere to grow the plants
- Teaspoon
- 2 Watering cans for mixing fertilizers
- Ruler
- Camera
- Scissors
- Stirring Stick
- Stapler
- 1 litre measuring jug
Instructions for Planting
1, Open planter bags and fill 6 bags ¾ full with potting mix.
2, In three of these bags, plant 1 of each type of plant, then staple the outside of the planter bag with the label that reads: Thrive and the plants name. Use potting mix to top up the bag so it is full.
3, In your remaining three full bags repeat the second instruction except staple the labels that say nothing on to the outside of the plant bag.
4, Open three more planter bags and fill ¾ fill with potting mix. Add 1 teaspoon of Root blast to each of these three bags. Mix to combine. Plant one of each type of plant in these bags. Label with the plant name and rootblast. Top with potting mix.
5, Lastly take the final 3 bags and fill half with potting mix then add ¼ fill of worm poo. Mix to combine. Plant the final three plants and top with potting mix. Label these with plant name and Worm Farm.
6, Water all plants as per instructions below.
Instructions for Watering
Thrive
1, Use the measuring jug to fill one watering can with 4.5litres of water.
2, Add 4 tablespoons of Thrive to the water and stir with stirring stick to dissolve.
3, Every two days pour this mixture into the jar that is named Thrive up to the measurement line, and water each plant with this amount. You will be filling the jar to the measurement line 3 times.
Worm Farm
1, Pour 1 litre of worm wee gathered into a watering can.
2, Dilute down the worm wee by adding 10 litres of water, so that it is 10:1.
3, Every two days pour this mixture into the jar that is named Worm Farm up to the measurement line, and water each plant with this amount. You will be filling the jar to the measurement line 3 times.
Control/ Root Blast
1, Every two days pour plain water into the measurement cup (marked control) up to the
Measurement line, and water each plant with this amount. You will be filling the Jar to the measurement line 3 times.
Instructions for testing which fertilizer performs the best
1, Each week measure the plant from the soil to the tip of the highest leaf.
2, Take a photo and record your information on paper.
3, After 8 weeks compare your information. The biggest plant from each category is the
winner.
4, Remove plants from the planter bags and compare the root sizes. Make sure you keep the labels and tie them on to the plant to ensure there is no mix up.
On the 28th of may 2012 some of the year 7 and 8 students attended young leaders day. At 08.40 we got on the bus at traveled to the Micheal Fowler Center. We spent the day in The Micheal Fowler center listening to extremely inspirational people and story’s about there lives. I t was a very inspiring day in which we learnt how to be, a truly great leader.
Amazing! The main point of his speech was - Never let preformance get in the way of safety.
