A garden on the moon?
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If these scientists are right, there will be marigolds growing on the moon by the year 2015, and after there may even be cabbages, tulips and other plants. The best part is they think it can be done without bringing nutrients and soil from Earth.
The team of scientists from Ukraine working with the European Space Agency, has succeeded in growing marigolds in crushed rock that is very similar to the kind found on the moon - without using plant food.
When the scientists first planted the marigolds in just the crushed rocks, the plants did not do well at all. However, after adding different kinds of bacteria, the plants started to thrive. Scientists believe that this was because the bacteria were able extract the necessary nutrients like potassium that plants need in order to grow.
Marigolds were chosen because they are easy to grow and require little care once they germinate. Scientists believe that there are other plants that will respond to the harsher moon environment too, such as tulips, which can be frozen for long periods of time and need very little nourishment. They also think they can genetically alter more plants so that they will adapt to the moon's environment.
If successful, this could the first step towards mankind living on the moon - pretty exciting isn't it?
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61 Comments
- BPM19almost 12 yearsmoon........coo!
- CrazyToxxicalmost 12 yearsthis looks sweet! Using it for something in my classroom
- hialmost 12 yearsi want to live on the moon
- Alexis,ARRIANAalmost 12 yearsIt's cool that they have a goal set an that they care about what's going to happen next
- Angela A.almost 12 yearsThats very intresting. Who would imagine a planet with no water having a plant on it.
- Dom and Blakealmost 12 yearsBlake-I think it is amazing that they have the goal to do that , I have always wanted to live in space because it is endless.dominique-well like Blake said this is amazing,but I think that they would think of this wonderful idea because they care about the future as a world so the fact that we have this tach is totally amazing I think the world as a bright future as a whole.
- Lara and trinalmost 12 yearsWe think how can plant live on a moon until we read this it all about how can a plant live on a moon and it can wow. I'm amaze
- Elena,a,kNormanalmost 12 yearsYes this is very exciting but willthis effect the earth? Where will the plants get sun and water? Will there be oxygen on the moon because plants produce oxygen?
- Andrew, Hannahalmost 12 yearsplant on mars
- Mr.norman tble2almost 12 yearsWe think that it is possible to have the tulips because they can freeze without the nutrients and that's what's so cool about it.