ROSE IN MARTIAN GREENHOUSE

This activity involved the creation of a simulated Martian greenhouse for a rose. A rose cutting was planted into this micro-ecosystem and was carefully monitored.

Phase 01 :: Soil Preparation :: 03 July 2005

Phase 01 :: Soil Preparation :: 03 July 2005
© c-lab 2005, gravel
© c-lab 2005, gravel
© c-lab 2005, gravel in glass container
© c-lab 2005, gravel in glass container
Soil preparation: Thin layer of gravel in empty wide glass jar.
© c-lab 2005, gravel in glass container top view
© c-lab 2005, gravel in glass container top view
© c-lab 2005, charcoal added
© c-lab 2005, charcoal added
Cover with 2/3 cm of charcoal. These layers acts as soil, air buffers (reducing moisture content) and chemical composition (of the atmosphere).
© c-lab 2005, 3cm of charcoal
© c-lab 2005, 3cm of charcoal
© c-lab 2005, mixture of sterile sand, limestone and compost
© c-lab 2005, mixture of sterile sand, limestone and compost
Add mixture of sterile sand, limestone and compost for root support.
© c-lab 2005, smelling the rose
© c-lab 2005, smelling the rose
© c-lab 2005, planting the rose cutting
© c-lab 2005, planting the rose cutting
Plant rose cutting.
© c-lab 2005, rose
© c-lab 2005, rose
© c-lab 2005, rose in jar with soil
© c-lab 2005, rose in jar with soil

Phase 02 :: Acclimatizing :: 04.07.2005 - 14.07.2005

Once the rose is planted, time is needed for the rose to establish itself in its new environment    Phase 02 :: Acclimatizing :: 04.07.2005 - 14.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 06.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 06.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 09.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 09.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 11.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 11.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 14.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, 14.07.2005

Phase 03 :: Martian-like Atmosphere Creation :: 15.07.2005

   Phase 03 :: Martian-like Atmosphere Creation :: 15.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, baking soda and vinegar
© c-lab 2005, baking soda and vinegar
© c-lab 2005, reaction
© c-lab 2005, reaction
A reaction of baking sode and cold vinegar in large container creates a carbon dioxide atmosphere.
© c-lab 2005, carbon dioxide in container
© c-lab 2005, carbon dioxide in container
© c-lab 2005, pouring carbon dioxide into greenhouse
© c-lab 2005, pouring carbon dioxide into greenhouse
Allow the reaction to subside and carefully pour the carbon dioxide into the greenhouse.
© c-lab 2005, hot charcoal
© c-lab 2005, hot charcoal
© c-lab 2005, close greenhouse
© c-lab 2005, close greenhouse

Phase 03 :: Opening the Jar :: 21.07.2005

Place heated charcoal (1hr in oven, to drive out moisture and gases in charcoal bar) into greenhouse. As the bar cools it will absorb large quantity of carbon dioxide and significantly reduce the gas pressure within the greenhouse. Close the airtight seal. Place sealed container in protective environment away from sunny and hot environment to eliminate exploding possibilities.
  Phase 03 :: Opening the Jar :: 21.07.2005
© c-lab 2005, greenhouse in protective environment
© c-lab 2005, greenhouse in protective environment
© c-lab 2005, taking greenhouse out of protective environment
© c-lab 2005, taking greenhouse out of protective environment
Taking sealed glass jar (greenhouse) from protective environment.
© c-lab 2005, observing changes
© c-lab 2005, observing changes
© c-lab 2005, opening jar
© c-lab 2005, opening jar
Nothing changes. Big "WHOOSH" sound heard.
© c-lab 2005, holding the rose
© c-lab 2005, holding the rose
© c-lab 2005, closeup of rose
© c-lab 2005, closeup of rose
The fine smell of decay.