K-cup seed tray kit

Seedling starter kit:

This is my design of a seedling starter kit re-using K-cup's from your Keurig coffee pods. This kit can be used multiple ways depending on what you need. The watertight tray and the Pod holder can be used on their own, or you can get some wicking mat, that will self water for perfect germination, without all the fuss. I have tuned all of the models for quality, speed, and material use, change at your own risk !! The tray and the cover need to be printed in PETG, to make them watertight and see thru for the cover. The stand and pod holder can be printed in PLA. If you do not have K-cups I have a 3d printed seedling tray that I will link here that fits.

https://makerworld.com/en/models/1213354-seed-tray#profileId-1228692

 

 

Wicking mat:

Cut the wicking mat to 6" x 9.5", put one 6" side into the side of tray beside the wicking mat stand, bend over and make a crease there. Then bend it over and insert it into the other side and crease it. Take the mat and make the creases more prominent. Then you can pre-soak your wicking mat with water so the capillary action works right away. Then place wicking mat back on the stand with both sides going down into the tray. I used this wicking mat from Amazon - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D2KWRW76/ref=dp_iou_view_product?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

K-cup's:

For the K-cup's I found it easiest to grab the top cover and rip it to the edge and slowly peel it off. Then dump out the coffee into either your compost system or throw away if not needed. Then wash the pod and start to peel the cloth out of the inside. After this we need to cut an appropriate hole in the bottom, so the dirt goes all they way to the very bottom so water can wick into the soil. K-cup's have an indentation in the bottom, which we have to make slightly larger than that. About ½" to 5/8" size hole. Either use an utility knife, or an appropriate drill bit or hole maker. The bottom when filled with dirt has to make contact with the wicking mat.

 

Setup:

Fill your K-cup's with seedling starter mix, about half full and push the soil down in the middle, to make sure the dirt is all the way to the hole, and pushing out a bit. Then fill the rest of you K-cup with soil and gently tamp the top and clean it off for a clean look. Do this for all of your Pod's and then place the Pod holder on the wicking mat that is on the stand inside your tray. Place the K-cup's into the holder and then plant your seeds, by making a small hole maybe ½" deep and placing your seeds in the hole. Either you can fill the small hole with worm castings, or just cover the hole with tiny bit of soil. Now you can fill the tray with water or your nutrient mix about half full of liquid. Place your cover over the top. 

 

Germination:

If you have a heating mat the germination process likes it a little warmer. Anywhere around 24c or 75f for temperature works best at the soil level. Other options are top for your fridge etc, as its warmer on top, or a small space heater in an area to keep the temperature appropriate for germination. After they germinate make sure to place under grow lights or good south facing window immediately. As  soon as your plants start coming out of the soil they need a lot of light. I have found 16 hours of light to be the sweet spot, but work with what you have. Once your plants have their first few leaves, you can probably leave the translucent cover off.

 

Seedlings:

Once your seedlings have sprouted, make sure the cover is off of the tray, so your plants will be healthier long term. To much moisture can lead to mold or fungus on soil and all sorts of bugs from the soil etc. Now just make sure you keep the tray topped up to Half-full with your nutrient mix. For stronger plants try and keep your light source close to them so that they do not become thin and weak, by trying to grow towards the light. As they grow move your lights higher with the plants. Also a small fan that gently blows across the seedlings so that they become stronger as they grow. Once you seedlings are large enough to plant, and in accordance with last frost date recommendations, take your trays out and plant.

 

Planting:

Wherever your planting your seedlings, follow recommendations for the plant for depth, soil, water, sun, shade etc. Make a hole a bit larger than your seed pods, pop the seedling out of your K-cup, and place in the hole. Gently fill the rest of the hole with soil and tamp the soil around the plant. Now you can water or feed whatever nutrient mix you desire.

 

Items I use:

Worm Castings - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08XN1W3BC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4

Nutrient mix - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09PVP2JL9?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5&th=1

Lights - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B082ZKJZP1?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1 (any with 2000 lumens and 5000 to 6500K value)

 

 

Happy Gardening !!!!!

Please post pictures of your seedlings and your prints. 

 

If you are having any issues post a comment and I will see if I can help.

 

Boost MeTook me a lot of time designing this seedling kit, so if you like it please give me a Boost.