Mini Propagator for Growing Seedlings

Here's a mini propagator I made to grow this years fruit and vegetables from seeds.

 

My wife really likes user oddsandsods seed starting tray and wanted something to something to help this years seeds grow strong, so I put together this mini propagator to allow two 2x3 seed trays to be added. You can find the seed trays here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/549013

 

You can plant directly into the tray but I'd recommend using the seed trays above.

 

The tray is designed to be printed from PLA and has some slight raised areas to allow drainage from the seedlings after watering, it also has a lipped top to accept the translucent lid. There's also a PLA vent cover piece the snaps into the lid to allow for 6 vent holes to be opened / closed depending on your humidity requirements, it also works week as a handle for lifting the lid. To keep cost down I've minimised the infill, doesn't affect the function of the tray, you can always increase it if you like.

 

The vent cover features a series of small protrusions that help it self locate and lock in place when twisting on the lid. To unlock the cover you may need to pull it up slightly before twisting.

 

The lid was originally designed to be printed slow using transparent PETG. I've uploaded several profiles of varying quality depending on your needs. The highest quality PETG print is decent light transmission and maintains its rigidity but does take a long time to print (speed is limited to 25m/s). I know waiting won't be for everybody so I've uploaded a couple of different grades that print quicker at the expense of strength / transparency. The cloudy looking prints still function very well with high levels of light transmission, albeit diffused rather than transferring straight.

 

As a final piece I've uploaded two profiles that use spiral vase to give a fast, light weight print. One in transparent PETG and one in transparent PLA. The PETG works best but the PLA is also suitable.

 

Note: In the PETG non spiral vase prints I've adjust the PETG material settings to match a Bambu lab transparent PETG tutorial. This includes turning off cooling and increasing nozzle temperatures to 270C.

 

My recommendation would probably be the higher quality PETG print to give the best balance between print speed and part quality.

 

Photo Reference

 

Gray base: Has the PLA spiral vase lid

Blue base: One has the PETG spiral vase lid, you can spot this by the light reflecting and slight distortion of the shape

Blue base: The other blue base photo has the highest quality PETG lid, you can tell which it is against the other blue tray as the lid is completely straight and is distorting the light less.

Blue and Yellow base: Has the higher quality / 2nd slowed print PETG lid

 

 

Assembly
Gently push the vent cover through the centre hole in the top of lid. You may need to support the lid from the inside as you do this to avoid imparting too much stress on the surrounding plastic. Add your planted seed trays and place the lid on top and you're good to go.

 

 

 

Dont forget to add some photo's in the comments / reviews, would love to see what everyone is growing.

 

 

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