AboutDan Fink Expertise Though my experience is mostly in the fields of electricity, magnetism, and physics, I have a broad science background. My career is in the field of alternative power sources -- solar, wind, water and battery power. But any questions about electricity, magnetism, energy conservation, power generation, electric motors, and even general physics are very welcome--especially from kids. They ask the best questions of all! I pride myself in answering science questions accurately, with ideas for SAFE, easy experiments that kids can perform by themselves--and that let them prove the answers to their own satisfaction. I think science should be fun, and available to everyone, regardless of age.
Experience I have volunteered in our local public schools for 5 years. I currently make presentations at our schools about electricity and magnetism, with a focus on solar, wind, water and other alternative power sources. I try to demonstrate at our schools how easy it is to make electricity, with simple devices using spinning magnets and coils of wire--powered by wind, water, bicycles, gerbils...etc. And of course solar panels! I am the webmaster of Otherpower.com, an alternative energy website. I have lived 10 miles from the nearest power pole for 11 years--I make all my own electricity from scratch with sun, wind and water.
Question Hello. We are doing research on plant environments. We have a few
questions we were hoping that you could help us find the answers to.
1) Do all plants have to grow outdoors?
2) What are the difference between indoor and outdoor plants?
3) Can plants grow without soil?
4) On average, how long does it take for a plant to start breaking through
the soil after being planted?
Thank you for your help. We look forward to reading your responses.
Answer Hi J&M -- some help below.
1 -- no, ANY plant can be made to grow indoors if given the right conditions (light, humidity, temperature) to simulate where it grew outdoors.
2 -- None, biologically speaking, but some plants are easier to grow indoors than others.
3 -- Yes. Some do so in the wild, and live on just air and moisture in the air plus rain and dew. You can also grow plants 'hydroponically' in rocks, while giving the plants the 3 essentials with a pump: water, air (in the water), and nutrients.
4 -- that varies too much between different species of plant seeds to answer. Most garden plants will sprout in a week, though.
