Good question, Carl! I was thinking of repeating the experiment with a "pachinko-style" coffee filter, propped up vertically.
Next we have to try this in zero-gravity.
And maybe in a Tilt-a-Whirl. Seriously, what DOroots and shoots do if gravity rotates 90 or 180 degrees after both have picked their direction to grow? My guess is that they twist around to find the new "up" and "down". Gravitropism.
Hmm, and just HOW MUCH gravity do plants need to know up from down? That would matter in a space colony on the Moon or Mars. My guess is that asteroids DON'T produce enough gravity, maybe not even Ceres.
We need to test gravitropism in artificial gravity produced by rotation before we can design a space station with a garden or farm. I know that rotating frames of reference really mess up humans' inner ears, but i;'m guessing that plants gravity-trackers are simpler and less likely to be confused by merry-go-round-style gravity.
"Which end down when planting Marigold seeds on Mars?"
I'm glad you brought this up early enough for us to get government funding!
