Aerogarden seed pod cap (open hole type)

thingiverse

Update, 2019-05-16: I have made several significant changes to the design: Four models are now available, corresponding to four different inner opening diameters for larger or smaller plants. I noticed that my previous design, equivalent to the new "size 1" designation, was restricting growth of some plants like cilantro due to its inner diameter. To address this issue, I have added three additional larger diameters to accommodate larger plant stems. Size 4 is only necessary for very mature plants with thick stems at the base. The STL file now includes only one half by default. Printing two halves together in their nested configuration can be challenging, as it requires precise print settings to ensure they snap together nicely without being completely bonded from the start. However, I have found that printing each half separately and then assembling them later is much easier. A generous chamfer has been added around the perimeter of the inner bore for all configurations on the underside (plant side or top side when printing). This modification provides plants with a smoother path towards escaping the pod and growing upwards towards the grow lights, eliminating the need to restrict the diameter on the underside, especially for smaller diameters. Size # vs. Inner Diameter (mm): 1: 16 mm 2: 21 mm 3: 26 mm 4: 29 mm Aerogarden-brand seed pods feature paper caps with holes in the middle, which allow plants to push through as they grow. These caps reduce algae and fungus growth around the base of the plant by shading it from the grow light. When creating your own seed pod, you can opt not to include a cap. However, some people create a new cap out of paper using a knife or scissors, which must be re-made every time you plant something new. This method may not last long on its own anyway. I designed a reusable 2-piece cap that you can print and snap in place around the stem of your plant. When the plant dies or is removed, these caps can be washed in a dishwasher and reused multiple times. As it's a 2-piece design, you can remove them at any time without cutting them off or disturbing the plant. It's best to get the cap on the pod as soon as the plant sprout is tall enough to reach through the hole, or sooner. This will help keep the plant stem(s) centered up. If you wait until the stem starts to thicken, this cap may not fit properly because the stem is too far off to one side. If the fit is too loose, increase your extrusion multiplier a little bit and try again. If it's too tight, reduce the extrusion multiplier. See also this alternative cap with no hole for when you're not using every station of your Aerogarden: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3569362