Week 9b

Thursday

April 10, 2008

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

This week I recorded the highest and lowest temperatures outside and in the greenhouse.  I also recorded the day length - 6:31 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. - but did not have to adjust the growth chambers because apparently it was the same as the week previous.

Also, as Dr. McFarland was concerned that certain treatments would become too hot because they were covered in black plastic and metal tape, he covered the etiolation experiments that were located outside and in the greenhouse with two layers of white plastic bags.  This was done to keep the experiments cool.

White plastic bags were placed over the etiolation experiment outside to keep it cool.

White plastic bags were placed over the etiolation experiment in the greenhouse to keep it cool.

Week 9a

Tuesday

April 8, 2008

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Today the fungicide, which was Benlate by Dupont, was applied.  I was required to wear a lab jacket, goggles, and gloves.  The fungicide was mixed in a gallon jar, but even though the label said it was water-soluble it still required a solute to mix.  Two gallons were prepared.  One was poured into one tub, and the other was poured into another for when the first tub ran out.  The two tubs were placed in the sink.  Each pot was placed in the fungicide for five minutes so that it would be absorbed through the holes in the bottom.  Then the pots were placed in the sink to dry.

It was very exciting to find two of the bulbs had shoots poking through the sand in the outside treatment that was exposed to light, one shoot in the outside etiolation treatment, and one in the greenhouse treatment that was exposed to light.  Because the tulips were starting to emerge, all of the etiolation treatments were wrapped in aluminum tape to keep the light out.

I was required to wear a lab jacket, goggles, and gloves

The pots were dipped in fungicide, then left in the sink to dry.

Tulip shoots had poked through the sand.

Aluminum tape was used to cover all areas that would allow light into the treatment.

Week 8

Friday

April 4, 2008

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This week I recorded the highest and lowest temperatures outside and in the greenhouse.  I also recorded the day length - 6:31 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. - and adjusted the light period in the growth chambers accordingly.