Hi everyone,
I’m new to tomato breeding and cultivation, and I’d love to share an experiment I’ve been working on. My idea was to construct a self-sustaining greenhouse using a delta 3D printer. I utilized natural mineral-based filament, also called stonefill, for the planters and designed a precise, 3D-printed hydrophilic microfilter at the center of each planter. The greenhouse cover and water-carrying vase are printed from hydrophobic PETG material.
I wanted to explore how different transparent colors of the greenhouse cover might influence tomato growth, particularly under narrow spectrum light exposure. This season was quite exciting, as I observed various growth patterns. Some tomato plants grew very slowly into tomato unusual symmetric shapes.” Despite their smaller size, they appeared healthy and adaptive.
For reference, I used Fiaschetto F1 Hybrid seeds, and the germination process started indoors in February.
3D-Printed Components of the Greenhouses:
1. Vase (Water Container) – 350mm height, PETG hydrophobic
2. Planter – Bottle-shape without bottom, 400mm height with 180mm diameter and 40mm diameter at bottle neck , made of hydrophilic stonefill mineral filament
3. Microfilter – 400mm height and 40mm diameter, fits inside the bottleneck to transport and exchange water from the vase to the topsoil, made of hydrophilic stonefill mineral filament
4. Connector – A ring of stonefill filament that securely connects the planter to the transparent greenhouse cover, remaining stable even in strong storms
5. Greenhouse Cover – 400mm height, made from transparent PETG, hydrophobic
The greenhouse structure stands at about 800mm tall from germination to the vegetative phase. For larger plants, I can expand the cover modularly to reach heights of up to 1.6m and widths of 300mm.
Key Motivations Behind the Project:
1. Optical Material Properties – I was fascinated by the reflective, mirror-like surface achieved when experimenting with transparent filaments. This effect, to my observation, contributed to a potential “albedo effect,” reducing overheating inside the greenhouse.
2. Exploring Hydrophilic Materials – While testing mineral stone filaments and terracotta, I noticed that I could print very thin, hydrophilic structures. These acted as effective microfilters for water and gas exchange.
Key Findings:
I was surprised by how well the water recycling system worked. Thanks to the thermodynamic process, water vapor was transported from the bottom of the vase to the top of the greenhouse. The vapor would condense at the top and then return as water droplets, nourishing the soil and plants. This system proved highly efficient, allowing me to avoid daily watering even during hot periods.
Although plants inside the clear greenhouse covers showed signs of overheating, one well-grown greenhouse plant outperformed three traditionally grown plants in terms of flower and fruit production. However, the fruits from the greenhouse remained relatively small compared to those grown in normal conditions.
Looking forward to any feedback or suggestions from fellow growers!
I’m new to tomato breeding and cultivation, and I’d love to share an experiment I’ve been working on. My idea was to construct a self-sustaining greenhouse using a delta 3D printer. I utilized natural mineral-based filament, also called stonefill, for the planters and designed a precise, 3D-printed hydrophilic microfilter at the center of each planter. The greenhouse cover and water-carrying vase are printed from hydrophobic PETG material.
I wanted to explore how different transparent colors of the greenhouse cover might influence tomato growth, particularly under narrow spectrum light exposure. This season was quite exciting, as I observed various growth patterns. Some tomato plants grew very slowly into tomato unusual symmetric shapes.” Despite their smaller size, they appeared healthy and adaptive.
For reference, I used Fiaschetto F1 Hybrid seeds, and the germination process started indoors in February.
3D-Printed Components of the Greenhouses:
1. Vase (Water Container) – 350mm height, PETG hydrophobic
2. Planter – Bottle-shape without bottom, 400mm height with 180mm diameter and 40mm diameter at bottle neck , made of hydrophilic stonefill mineral filament
3. Microfilter – 400mm height and 40mm diameter, fits inside the bottleneck to transport and exchange water from the vase to the topsoil, made of hydrophilic stonefill mineral filament
4. Connector – A ring of stonefill filament that securely connects the planter to the transparent greenhouse cover, remaining stable even in strong storms
5. Greenhouse Cover – 400mm height, made from transparent PETG, hydrophobic
The greenhouse structure stands at about 800mm tall from germination to the vegetative phase. For larger plants, I can expand the cover modularly to reach heights of up to 1.6m and widths of 300mm.
Key Motivations Behind the Project:
1. Optical Material Properties – I was fascinated by the reflective, mirror-like surface achieved when experimenting with transparent filaments. This effect, to my observation, contributed to a potential “albedo effect,” reducing overheating inside the greenhouse.
2. Exploring Hydrophilic Materials – While testing mineral stone filaments and terracotta, I noticed that I could print very thin, hydrophilic structures. These acted as effective microfilters for water and gas exchange.
Key Findings:
I was surprised by how well the water recycling system worked. Thanks to the thermodynamic process, water vapor was transported from the bottom of the vase to the top of the greenhouse. The vapor would condense at the top and then return as water droplets, nourishing the soil and plants. This system proved highly efficient, allowing me to avoid daily watering even during hot periods.
Although plants inside the clear greenhouse covers showed signs of overheating, one well-grown greenhouse plant outperformed three traditionally grown plants in terms of flower and fruit production. However, the fruits from the greenhouse remained relatively small compared to those grown in normal conditions.
Looking forward to any feedback or suggestions from fellow growers!