Plants in zero gravity: experiment help?

Question

I'm trying to create an experiment to see how plant growth would be affected with no gravity (like in space). I was wondering two things: one, is it possible to create a magnetic chamber that could have something floating within it? Something metal, I think, but does anyone know if it's possible to make (and if so, how)?

Second- if I *was* able to find a way to grow a plant in a real, floating environment that counters the effects of gravity, would gravity still have an influence on the plant?

I know plant roots always grow in the direction gravity pulls. But if I could make some kind of floating-chamber-thingie (as said above, possibly with magnets), would gravity still be affecting the plant growth?

If you can answer ANY part of my question, please respond- help is greatly appreciated. ^.^

Answer 1

no, even if you dreamed up some sort of magnetic suspension, the plants would still feel the force of gravity.

Antigravity is only a gleam in a few physicists eye, not possible in the near future.

Just not possible, any of it. Without putting the plants in orbit. Which NASA has done.

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Answer 2

as above, but

this experiment is usually done by simply tricking the plant by putting it in a rotating wheel, so 'up' and 'down for the plant are not constant.  you can try one with a light going round with it, or a fixed light source too

you're not really measuing the effects of gravity on the plant, but the plant's reaction to changing gravity, which is a bit different