GreenGrowBox Nicole

prusaprinters

Features and specification:Size: 545 x 145 x 500mmPower: 45WCapacity: 4 pcs plantsThe roots are constantly accessing water through the water reservoirAutomatic lighting scheduleSet the timer via smartphone app (Blitzwolf)Quiet operationThe purpose of this Growbox is to grow any kind of plants that can be bought in a grocery store. Those plants/herbs, like basil, chives, parsley normally sold in plastic pot that can be re-planted into these printed pots.The idea is to buy these already grown plants in store and replant them into the Growbox which is going to provide ideal circumstances to the seedling to regrow itself in case it is going to be harvested. This way in few weeks time the freshly “regenerated” plant can be enjoyed again. The plants/herbs have been replanted this way on the photo.The traditional way was also tried out to grow plants from seeds. However as it turned out, the hydroponic way is far more effective in this regard - see my other GrowBox designs.Also further trials and developments are required to improve and make more effective the method of growing seeds in soil with this device.The whole electronic unit is designed to be stable without the water reservoir, it will not fall over if nothing is attached to it. The water reservoir can be separated easily from the electronic base unit. Therefore if it is required own pots could be also used. They only need to be placed underneath the led bar. What can be tried to grow from seeds (As it was mentioned above, not validated with this Growbox):BasilParsleyRuccolaChivesAny kinds of saladTomato - at least until it is reaching the LED lamp, after that the plant need to replanted outsideChili - at least until it is reaching the LED lamp, after that the plant need to replanted outside ChamomileMintStrawberry will be tried again soon from baby plants. There were some bad experiences when they were grown from seeds. They grew many leaves, some flowers as well, but they never turned into fruit.Until now this GrowBox has been used with soil only. Coco fibre can be used and it is going to provide better results especially for growing from seeds method.Assembly:The assembly of the unit is straight forward. Please refer to the uploaded photos and cross section view pictures.Most time consuming is the soldering of the LED strips and putting the cable work together. For the wiring please refer to the attached wiring diagram. The wires of the LED's are guided inside of the T-slot of the vertical aluminium profile and conducted through the designated opening inside of the electronics case. A reflective screen / Light shield on the light bar can be attached if required. See on 5th photo. Size of the plates (for example a foamed PVC sheet): 530x80x4mm. It will anchor itself into the T-slot of the aluminium profile. Extra 500 lux can be directed towards the plants if the inner side of the plates is covered with reflective foil. https://www.easy-grow.co.uk/products/reflective-sheeting/diamond-lightite/Put 4 pcs Felt Pads on the bottom of the electronics case to help ventilation.How to prepare the GrowBox for the first plants:Pair the Blitzwolf switch module with your wifi network, install the app on your smartphoneFill the water tank until the marking line on the fill-opening with fresh tap waterOptionally add some fertilizer to the waterPull out the plants from the standard plastic pot with which you bought them from the grocery storeRemove the bottom of the soil, try not to harm the rootsPut some of the removed soil into the printed potPut the plant with the remained soil and roots into the printed pot. The goal is to reach a nice compact soil base without huge gaps inside the pot. Don not push it too hard, the roots require oxygen as well.Program the timer via the Blitzwolf app (instructions below)Turn on the lights and let the timer switch on and off the lights. Plants need a stable day-night cycle.The soil will suck up the water, check it regularly to have a constant water supplement to the roots.Timer settings:Set Channel 1 - LED lamps, for every day:ON = 08:00OFF = 20:00My tips to make watertight prints:Increase the flow rate (extrusion multiplier) to 105% (1,05)Ironing can be used (print settings → infill)Infill overlap 15%Increase the nozzle temperature by 10°CLower printing speeds, 30mm/s is a good choiceUse 0,6mm nozzle (with 0,6mm nozzle settings, of course)What you can do, to improve the growing results (based on personal experiences):Do not place the GrowBox above a radiator, a constant warm air flow will dry out the leaves.Regularly adjust the LED bar height 50mm above the top of the plantThe pH of the water can be set and maintained to the optimal value of pH 6 +/-0.4. However the soil also has a pH value which has an impact on the overall pH value (Water + soil). These need to be taken into consideration when adjusting the overall pH value.Instead of tap water you can try collected rain water or water from your garden well. But keep in mind, with those you can bring unwanted bacteria or other harmful substances into the system.When the plant has reached the LED bar and the height of the lamp cannot be increased further up, cut off the top 70mm of the plant. This will make the plant to concentrate the growth to the side branches and leafs.Do not overdose the nutrients, it will have an opposite effect.Do not let the LED bar continuously on, it will not help the plant to grow faster. Plants need the night cycle to stay healthy.Your shopping list:Smart switch module: https://www.banggood.com/BlitzWolf-BW-SS4-Basic-2200W-10A-1-or-2-Way-WIFI-DIY-Smart-Switch-Module-Remote-Control-Socket-Work-with-Google-Assistant-Amazon-Alexa-p-1593822.html?rmmds=myorder&cur_warehouse=CZ&ID=628129812V power supply: https://www.meanwell-web.com/en-gb/ac-dc-ultra-slim-din-rail-power-supply-input-range-hdr--30--1240x40 fan: https://noctua.at/en/products/fan/nf-a4x10-flx23x30 - 500mm aluminium profile: https://www.minitec.de/produkte/profilsystem/profile/profilserie-30/profil-23-x-3016x30 - 550mm aluminium profile: https://www.minitec.de/produkte/profilsystem/profile/profilserie-30/profil-16-x-30Power lock fastener for 30mm alu profiles: https://www.minitec.de/en/products/profile-system/fastening-elements/power-lock-fastener/power-lock-fastener/minitec-power-lock-fastener-30LED strips: 18-20W/m, 10mm width, cold white (6000K), warm white (3000K) and red. If you prefer, you can use a “full spectrum grow led strip”, but in my experience it is not giving you the expected benefit. These are just red and blue leds in a row and the naming “full spectrum” is a bit misleading. If you measure the luminous flux 200mm beneath the led strips, you should get around 10.000 lux.Wago 221 splicing connectors: https://www.wago.com/gb/electrical-interconnections/discover-installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221220V 2way, 4 pole switch: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/zf-electronics/WRG32F2FBBNN/446050AC power plug: https://www.beleuchtung.de/legrand-50416-stecker-seitenanleitung-230v-16a-2p-t-weiss/2 x 0,5mm2 power cable: https://www.electron.com/flexible-power-cable-cyly-h03vv-f-2x0-5b-p71126/1 x 0,5mm2 power cable: https://www.electron.com/stranded-wire-h05v-k-1x0-5mm-black-p51567/Cable gland PG7: https://www.conrad.cz/p/kss-533729-kabelova-pruchodka-pg7-polyamid-sedobila-ral-7035-1-ks-53372960 pcs steel washers diam. 20 mm as counterweight into the two cylindrical opening in the base unit: https://www.newark.com/tr-fastenings/dm520mustwaz100/plain-washer-steel-5-3mm-20mm/dp/71Y89854 pcs felt discs: https://www.amazon.com/Adhesive-Felt-Pads/s?k=Adhesive+Felt+Pads Safety hints:If you are not experienced in electrical wiring, please ask a competent electrician for help. Electricity is hazardous.The horizontal LED aluminium bar can heat up to 60-70°C. The LED chips can handle it, your skin cannot.Take extra care if you are mixing the water with the nutrient solutions. Always close the bottles securely and store them in a safe place, where children cannot reach them.