Aerogarden seed pod cap (open hole type)

thingiverse

********** Update, 2019-05-16: I have made the following changes: - Four models are available, corresponding to four different inner opening diameters for larger or smaller plants. I noticed when I used my old design (the equivalent of the new "size 1" designation) that on some plants such as cilantro, the inner diameter of the part was restricting growth of the plant. I have now added three additional larger diameters to accommodate larger plant stems. Size 4 should only be needed for very mature plants that have established very thick stems at the base. - The STL by default now only includes one half. Printing two halves together in their nested configuration makes it really tough to get the print settings right such that the two halves snap together nicely but also don't come off the print bed completely bonded to each other from the start. It can be done but I'm finding now that it's so much easier to just print the two halves completely separately and then fit them together later. - I added a generous chamfer around the perimeter of the inner bore for all configurations on the underside (plant side, or the top side when you're printing them). There is no need to restrict the diameter on the underside, and for the smaller diameters this gives plants a smoother path toward escaping the pod and proceeding upwards towards the grow lights. ********** Size # vs. inner diameter (mm): 1: 16 mm 2: 21 mm 3: 26 mm 4: 29 mm Aerogarden-brand seed pods come with paper caps with holes in the middle. The plants push through the cap as they grow. The purpose of the cap is to reduce the amount of other stuff (algae, fungus, etc.) that grows around the base of the plant by shading it from the grow light. When you create your own seed pod, it has no cap. You can risk it without a cap. Some people make a new cap out of paper using a knife or scissors, which will have to be re-made every time you plant something new, and might not last long on its own anyway. I designed this reusable 2-piece cap that you can print and then snap in place around the stem of your plant. When the plant dies or is otherwise removed, you can throw these in the dishwasher and re-use them over and over again. Since it is a 2-piece design, you can also remove it at any time for any reason without having to cut it off or bother the plant. I find that 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. That way the cap will help to keep the plant stem(s) centered up. If you wait until the stem starts to thicken, this cap may never 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 cap that has no hole, for when you are not using every station of your Aerogarden: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3569362