Expert: Greg Simpson - 12/31/2003

Question
I guess ur the xpert so try to help me out here,
I'm doing this science experiment that deals with plants and photosynthesis. What i'm trying to do is grow some green plants in a dark room. I realize that without light they won't grow and won't produce any 'food' so i will be giving them solutions of glucose as their food. I'm not sure if this'll workbut regardless, i'm still trying. Now i need ur expertise to help me select a household , common, purchasable-at-the-supermarket type plant that grows fairly rapidly . Could u give me some suggestions and comments on this idea
THX

Answer
Dear Jim,

Both Pothos and Snake Plant (Mother-in-law's tongue) would make good choices for your experiment. They will both grow in low light conditions. However, I don't know if your experiment will work. In order for a plant to take up water, it must loose water through a process called "transpiration". In a lightless enviroment, I don't know if transpiration will occur since no photosynthesis will occur.

I'm very interested though how your experiment turns out. Good luck!

Sincerely,

Greg