Domenic Narducci

June 15
th
2010
Science-F
RTS Conclusion
My experiment was testing whether it was possible to change the color of the
petals of hydrangeas by changing the PH and acidity of the soil. I did this using
different fertilizers, one that increase PH balance and another that lowers it. I had 2
hydrangeas in pots that I watered and added fertilizer to each day labeling
everything so that I did not confuse each. My original hypothesis that I would be
able to change the plant colors was (so far) disproved by my plants. After three
weeks of this they bloomed as the colors that were expected and not as the colors
that I was trying to change them to. This is why my hypothesis was disproved. The
independent variables in my experiment were the different plants and the different
fertilizers that I used because they are the things in the experiment that I am
changing on purpose in order for the experiment to work. The dependent variable in
the experiment was the resulting colors of the plants because they are the result of
my changing of the fertilizer. It is for the reason of my plants not changing colors
from the expected at all that I conclude that you cant change the color of
hydrangeas through the use of fertilizers. My supporting evidence from my
experiment is that the end result of the flower that was originally blue was that it
remained blue while the end results for the one that was originally pink was that it
remained its original pink color. Some things that went wrong during all of this were
when it rained and there might not be an even dispersion among the plants. Also,
the fact that they were outside is something out of m control because there could be
contamination of the soil or the wind could have carried pollen among other things
of the sort. Furthermore, I forgot to water the plants a couple times and that may
have affected their progress. Lastly, I used the same cups for each every time. There
may have been contaminants from the last trial in each cup. If I were to change
things in my procedure I would make the measurements of soil, water and fertilizer
more precise. Also, I would change the 2-week time trial to a 6 week one to ensure
that the plants have an adequate time to grow. Finally I would add in the brand
names of each item I used in the experiment. For a study in the future I would
suggest continuing on my original experiment to see if you can make them change
colors. Also for another study I would suggest putting them in the ground to see if
the result would be the same. This would benefit the experiment and results well
because it would show how it would connect to the real world better. This brings me
to my real world connection, which is that in a garden it would be useful to see
whether or not you could change the color of the plants. This is why I suggested
planting the plants in the ground as a future study. In summary, it would be a very
useful gardening tool to know if you can change the color of a plant.