T
here are many quality nutrient choices on today’s
market, and a few controlled experiments can give
valuable information about which perform better during a
harvest. Common indicators of improvement are increases
in production, cost savings, or quality.
Although a larger sample is more accurate, the minimum
number of plants needed for such experiments is two. One is
the control plant, which is fed the current nutrient regimen,
and one is fed with the new feeding schedule. Other than
the different nutrients, the plants should be as similar to
each other as possible and grown under exact, if not very
similar, conditions. Cuttings (or, clones) are commonly used
to minimize the impact of genetic differences.
If using more than two plants, the percentage of the
crop to commit to the new feeding schedule is depen-
dent on the confidence the grower has that the change
will improve (or at least not hinder) production versus the
proven schedule currently in use.
“
COMMON indicators of
improvement are increases in
production, cost savings, or quality.”
KEEP GOOD RECORDS
Keeping good records improves accuracy. Note the experi-
ment’s start date because it will allow for the calculation of
daily production after harvest. For the control group, feed as
normal and track the amount of each nutrient used. For the
experimental group, follow the manufacturer’s recommenda-
tions and again keep track of the amounts used. At harvest,
make note of the harvest date, record the harvest weight from
each plant, and calculate the totals of each nutrient used.
Production improvements are indicated by an increase in the
average amount produced per day for the duration.
Subtracting the start date from the harvest date will give the
total number of days for the garden. For example, a harvest
on Aug. 1 minus a planting date of May 23 would be 70 days.
If one group matures faster than the other, calculate each set
of dates separately.
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