AeroGardens sometimes grow a large amount of mold, and can also get infested with bugs. I was given the job to test certain oils that were rumored to have bio-fungicidal properties. Those three oils were tea tree oil, oregano oil, and fennel oil. We decided to just start off with tea tree and oregano, and I began the first test on the 15th of June. I tested each one with pH, EC, and temperature, which is picture below and to the right, and the image above displays this test with the dates. I put 15 drops of the oil into the water of the AeroGardens, and this resulted in a large amount of mold residue forming on the pods. This test eventually was deemed a failure.
After this test above failed, I started a new one with a large amount less of the oils used. Instead of putting the oil directly into the water, I diluted the oils separately in a 2 oz bottle of water with 15 oil drops each and sprayed the top of each pod with three sprays. The image below and to the left is of the dilutions made with each oil in the bottles. This test is still occurring, but the results were extremely beneficial. All of the pods germinated completely, while the control only had 2/6 germinations. The three images below the picture of the oregano oil and bottle is of each AeroGarden included in the test. The data was also recorded in the image below that, with the same meters used, and this test was an extreme success.
After this test above failed, I started a new one with a large amount less of the oils used. Instead of putting the oil directly into the water, I diluted the oils separately in a 2 oz bottle of water with 15 oil drops each and sprayed the top of each pod with three sprays. The image below and to the left is of the dilutions made with each oil in the bottles. This test is still occurring, but the results were extremely beneficial. All of the pods germinated completely, while the control only had 2/6 germinations. The three images below the picture of the oregano oil and bottle is of each AeroGarden included in the test. The data was also recorded in the image below that, with the same meters used, and this test was an extreme success.
With this test having a favorable outcome, I learned a lot. The first thing I learned, especially from the first part of this test, is how potent oils can be, and how more is not always better. Both of these oils kept bugs away, and all of the pods except one grew mold. One oregano pod grew a slight mold, but yet it didn't inhibit germination and the plant still grew without problem. The control only has 2 germinations throughout that time, even though it didn't grow any mold. So, from this, it could mean that tea tree oil and oregano oil can promote and help with germination of a seed. That is a huge thing for the AeroGrow company, and I learned that oils can really have biofungical properties allowing for optimal plant growth. I also learned to continue to try to make a test work, even if the one before was a fail. Determination and patience is important when conducting tests, and I am so glad I was able to learn these things and contribute to the future of AeroGrow.