Participative Sciences : Indoor Biopony

BIOSPHERE EXPERIENCE

https://wiki.lowtechlab.org/wiki/Sciences_Participatives_:_Bioponie_d%27int%C3%A9rieur/en

Dernière modification le 13/12/2024

Difficulté

Medium Moyen

Durée

5 hour(s) heure(s)

Coût

30 EUR (€)

Description

This tutorial was created as part of mission #2 "Indoor garden" of the participatory science program run by the Biosphère Expérience association. It presents the steps involved in building the bioponic device, as well as the protocol to be followed during the 2-month experiment from September 1 to October 31, 2024.

Sommaire

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Introduction

Project

Biosphère Expérience's participatory science program aims to study the implementation and use of low-tech in everyday life from a technical, sociological, ergonomic and psychological point of view. These citizen experiments will make it possible to collect a wide range of data, which will then be analyzed from November 1, 2024, and will be the subject of an experimental report and scientific publications.

Mission #2 : The indoor garden

The aim of this mission is to promote the cultivation of edible seedlings in biopony, an above-ground growing system adapted to urban areas. Using a closed-circuit water basin and organic fertilizers, this system produces plants rich in vitamins and minerals, while requiring up to 10 times less water than traditional soil-based cultivation. We propose to build a system that can accommodate 9 plants.

To do this, we propose two different versions: assembly A, which requires hydroponic pots, and assembly B, in which the clay pebbles are added directly to the bioponic gutter.

Objectives

Everyone is capable of experimenting with growing edible sprouts in biopony! The aim of this mission is to study the effectiveness and acceptability of such a crop, and to explore ways of changing our eating habits.

You can find details of the experiment in the “Files” section of the tutorial.

Youtube

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Matériaux

This is an exhaustive list of materials. If you already have some items, we recommend favoring second-hand options and adapting the diameters and dimensions indicated in the tutorial.

Assembly A (gutter with hydroponic pots)

• 2 wooden battens: 2400 x 18 x 44 mm (standard batten in a DIY store) (No. 1 in the image)
• 2 pieces of fabric, with the following dimensions: 1000 x 500 mm; 1000 x 150 mm (No. 2 in the image)
• Water pump with a flow rate of 250 L/h, about 3W (No. 3 in the image)
• Hose, 1600 mm in length and 6 mm in diameter (the diameter should match your pump, usually 6 mm) (No. 4 in the image)
• Programmable plug (No. 5 in the image)
• 1 L of clay pebbles (No. 6 in the image)
• 8 hydroponic pots (No. 7 in the image). We recommend buying your pots in groups to avoid waste and reduce costs. Feel free to use the WhatsApp conversation to organize with other participants.
• 1 bottle of organic fertilizer (to be ordered from the supplier communicated via email and through the WhatsApp conversation) (No. 8 in the image)
• A roll of plastic wrap (No. 9 in the image)
• A 10 L bucket, ideally opaque. If you have a transparent bucket, plan to use more fabric to make a cover for the bucket (No. 10 in the image)
• Parchment paper
• A sachet of beeswax
• 8 young shoots, microgreens, seedlings, or plants (No. 11 in the image)
• 8 screws, 4 mm in diameter
• Staples

Assembly B (gutter without hydroponic pots)

• 2 wooden battens: 2400 x 18 x 44 mm (standard batten in a DIY store) (No. 1 in the image)
• 2 half-round rods, each 1000 mm long (No. 1 in the image)
• 2 pieces of fabric, with the following dimensions: 1000 x 500 mm; 1000 x 150 mm (No. 2 in the image)
• Water pump with a flow rate of 250 L/h, about 3W (No. 3 in the image)
• Hose, 1600 mm in length and 6 mm in diameter (the diameter should match your pump, usually 6 mm) (No. 4 in the image)
• Programmable plug (No. 5 in the image)
• 2 L of clay pebbles (No. 6 in the image)
• 1 bottle of organic fertilizer (to be ordered from the supplier communicated via email and through the WhatsApp conversation) (No. 8 in the image)
• A roll of plastic wrap (No. 9 in the image)
• A 10 L bucket, ideally opaque. If you have a transparent bucket, plan to use more fabric to make a cover for the bucket (No. 10 in the image)
• 8 young shoots, microgreens, seedlings, or plants (No. 11 in the image)
• 8 screws, 4 mm in diameter
• Staples
• 8 nails

Common to both assemblies: feet or support

• 6 wooden battens or cord (No. 12 and No. 13 in the image)

Outils

This is an exhaustive list of tools to be adapted based on what you already have.

• Wood drill bit: 3 mm (to be adapted based on your screws)
• Staple gun
• Drill/screwdriver
• Hand saw or jigsaw
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Measuring tape
• Sandpaper
• Scissors
• Utility knife
• Hammer
• Permanent marker
• Work gloves
• Safety glasses

Mission_B_Mission_2_Jardin_d_inte_rieur.pdf

Étape 1 - Planning

• Preparing participants for the participatory science program from July 1 to August 31, 2024: Making the biopony garden. Feel free to use WhatsApp to ask other participants for help.

• Experimentation from September 1 to October 31, 2024 : Participants follow the protocol and answer the questionnaires.

Étape 2 - Purchasing equipment

Depending on the assembly you choose and your use of reuse, we estimate that it costs between 10 and 30 euros to build a bioponic garden.

Before making any purchases, we strongly advise you to read the entire tutorial, as the list of materials may vary from one assembly to another.

All the materials needed to build this kit can be found in DIY, gardening or fabric stores.

We encourage you to make group purchases to avoid waste and share any delivery costs. If necessary, we invite you to use the WhatsApp conversation. This could be an opportunity for you to get together to follow the rest of the tutorial and make the items together.

Étape 3 - Tips and precautions

Before starting work, make sure your workspace is secure and that your tools are optimally stored.

• Make sure your tools are in good condition and suitable for the job in hand.
• Read tool instructions carefully and pay attention to pictograms on packaging.
• Set up in an uncluttered, well-ventilated and well-lit area.
• Equip yourself with the necessary protective equipment: gloves, shoes, goggles, clothing, helmet, protective mask, earplugs (headphones/earplugs)...
• Unplug power tools and close products when not in use.
• Ask those around you for help if you have to handle heavy loads (tools, materials, etc.).

This is a non-exhaustive list of tips and precautions.

Étape 4 - Cutting the cleats

Steps 4 to 8 are common to both assemblies

Cleat A

• Take a 2400 x 18 x 44 mm cleat (standard in DIY stores).
• Cut the cleat into 4 parts, according to the dimensions shown in the diagram (see photo).

Cleat B

• Use a 2400 x 18 x 44 mm cleat (standard in DIY stores).
• Cut 2 pieces, each 1000 mm long

Étape 5 - Gutter structure

• Use cleat A
• Assemble the gutter by screwing the 2 short strips (140 mm) onto the 2 long strips (1060 mm). Here, we use a 3 mm drill bit and 4 mm screws.

The 1060 mm battens are laid vertically, not flat (see photo 3 in step 8).

Étape 6 - Making the sock

• Take the 1000 x 500 mm textile (1)
• Fold it in 2 along the width (2)
• Sew along the entire length (with a machine or by hand) to create the sock (3)
• Turn the resulting assembly inside out (4)
• The sock is ready to use (5)

Étape 7 - Fitting the sock to the gutter

• Thread the sock onto the gutter and fit it between the 2 small 140 mm battens.
• Staple the sock to the frame. Make sure the fabric is well stretched in the gutter (U-shaped).

Étape 8 - Sealing the gutter

• Overlap 3 layers of cling film 1500 mm long (see photo 1).
• Place them in the gutter. Leave about twenty centimetres of cling film at one end of the gutter (see photo 2).
• Attach the cling film to the other end of the gutter (see photo 3).
• Secure the cling film along the entire length of the gutter (see photos 4 and 5). Make sure the cling film conforms to the shape of the sock.

Étape 9 - The following steps are for assembly A

So you've decided to make assembly A (with hydroponic pots)? Follow the steps below!

If you'd like to create assembly B, go to step 14.

Étape 10 - Making the upper fabric

• Provide yourself with the 1000 x 150 mm textile.
• Measure the inside diameter of your hydroponic pots. Here, it's 70 mm (see photo 1).
• Make 8 holes of 70 mm diameter along the length of the fabric. Here, holes are made every 110 mm (see photos 2 and 3).

Étape 11 - Sealing the upper fabric

• Place baking paper under the upper fabric
• Apply beeswax to the upper fabric
• Place another piece of baking paper on top
• Use an iron to melt the wax. Manipulate the baking paper to spread the liquid wax over the entire surface of the fabric.
• Leave to cool until hardened

Refer to photos

Étape 12 - Fixing the waterproof fabric to the cleats

• Take the 2 B-strips cut in step 1 (each measuring 1000 x 18 x 44 mm).
• Staple the waterproof fabric to the two wooden cleats (see photo). At this stage, make sure the fabric is taut.

The stapled part is the underside !

Étape 13 - Gutter assembly

Étape 14 - Finishing assembly B

This step only concerns assembly B

• Position the 2 half-round rods and fasten them to the cleats with nails

Étape 15 - The following steps are common to both assemblies

Now it's time to install the gutter in your home!

Étape 16 - Installing the gutter

Deally, the bioponic gutter is positioned behind a window. In this location, you'll need an electrical outlet to connect the water pump.

Up to you to choose the support to hold your gutter in place:

• Make feet (see photo 1)
• Suspend it with ropes (see photo 4)

In both cases, you'll need to take into account the dimensions of your home to ensure that the gutter is in full view. You can also create a small slope to facilitate water run-off (around 2%).

Follow the next steps to set up your irrigation system!

Étape 17 - Irrigation system

Preparing the bucket (see photo 1)

Equip yourself a 10 L bucket with a lid. Ideally, find an opaque bucket to prevent algae proliferation. If you can't find one, you can make a textile sock or tape the entire side of the bucket.

• Make a hole for the hose. Here, we're making 8 mm diameter holes.
• Make two larger holes for the cling film and the electrical socket. The cling-film will ensure that the water flows back into the bucket. Here, we've used a cutter to make the holes.

Installing the irrigation system

• Position the bucket on the lower side of the gutter (see photo 2). You may wish to place it a little higher up, to make it easier for the pump to work. For example, you can raise the bucket with a stool.
• Place the piece of cling film in one of the bucket's holes (see photo 3).
• Drill the 140 mm strip on the highest side of the gutter (see photo 4). Here, a 6.5 mm diameter drill bit is used for a 6 mm diameter pipe.
• Tuck one end of the pipe into the hole and let it protrude about 50 mm (up to the first hole in the waterproof fabric) (see photo 5).
• Pass the other end of the hose inside the sock, insert it into the 8 mm diameter hole in the bucket and connect it to the water pump (see photo 6). Place the water pump in the bucket
• Pass the water pump's electrical wire through the bucket's hole, insert it inside the sock and connect it to the programmable plug.

Étape 18 - Experimentation phase

The next steps concern the experimental phase, which runs from September 1 to October 31, 2024.

Participants in the participatory science program :

• built their own bioponic system
• collected seedlings, micro-sprouts or made their own seedlings
• purchased organic fertilizer from the supplier

Étape 19 - Choice of plants

Here is the list of plants that we have tested in biopony and that work (as seedlings, seedlings or cuttings):

• Lemon basil

• Thai basil

• Mélisse

• Sauge

• Ciboulette

• Menthe

• Oxalys

• Romarin

• Roquette

• Sauge ananas

• Céleri branche

• Basilic génois

• Basilic pourpre

• Betteraves

• Bok choï

• Capucine

• Cardon

• Chou

• Chou kale

• Cresson de fontaine

• Épinard

• Mâche

• Mizuna

• Moutarde géante

• Moutarde rouge

• Moutarde wasabina

• Pakchoï

• Persil

• Pourpier d'été

• Radis rond

• Blette

• Gros thym

• Hierba Buena

• Mélisse citronnelle

• Morning Glory

• Origan

• Rauram

• Tatsoï

• Patate douce

• Tomate cerise

Étape 20 - Positionnement des plants dans la gouttière

Montage A

• Récupérez des jeunes pousses, micro pousses ou réalisez vos propres semis de plants. Lavez vos plantes pour retirer toute la terre des racines (voir photo 1)

Cette étape est cruciale, soyez délicat pour ne pas casser des racines, notamment lorsque vous retirez la terre.

• Déposez les plantes dans vos pots d'hydroponie puis recouvrez les racines de billes d'argile jusqu'en haut du pot (voir photo 2)
• Placez vos pots d'hydroponie dans les trous du tissu étanche (voir photo 3)
• Remplissez le seau de 10 L d'eau. Marquez cette hauteur à l'aide d'un marqueur indélébile (voir photo 5)
• Ajoutez 2 mL d'engrais organique pour 1 L d'eau dans le seau. Ici, nous avons un seau de 10 L, on ajoute donc 20 mL d'engrais organiques
• Branchez la prise programme au secteur de votre habitat. Assurez-vous que la pompe à eau soit toujours immergée dans l'eau du seau. Réglez votre prise programmable à 15 min toutes les heures (voir photo 6)

Montage B

• Récupérez des jeunes pousses, micro pousses ou réalisez vos propres semis de plants. Lavez votre plante pour retirer toute la terre des racines (voir photo 1)

Cette étape est cruciale, soyez délicat pour ne pas casser des racines, notamment lorsque vous retirez la terre.

• Remplissez la gouttière de billes d'argile, sur 50 mm de hauteur environ. Placez vos plantes directement dans les billes d'argile (voir photo 4)
• Remplissez le seau de 10 L d'eau. Marquez cette hauteur à l'aide d'un marqueur indélébile (voir photo 5)
• Ajoutez 2 mL d'engrais organique pour 1 L d'eau dans le seau. Ici, nous avons un seau de 10 L, on ajoute donc 20 mL d'engrais organique
• Branchez la prise programme au secteur de votre habitat. Assurez-vous que la pompe à eau soit toujours immergée dans l'eau du seau. Réglez votre prise programmable à 15 min toutes les heures (voir photo 6)
  

Étape 21 - Maintenance et suivi

La maintenance quotidienne consiste à s’assurer que le niveau d'eau dans le seau est stable, que la pompe est toujours immergée et que les plantes sont en bonne santé.

Temps de maintenance : 2 minutes par jour

• En début d'expérience, dosez à environ 0.6 g/L d’eau soit 6 g pour un seau de 10 L. Bien mélanger la solution
• Tout au long de l'expérimentation, veillez à ce que votre niveau d'eau soit stable et que la pompe à eau soit toujours immergée dans le seau. Rajoutez de l'eau lorsque nécessaire
• Tous les 15 jours, rajoutez 0.4 g/L d’eau soit 4 g pour un seau de 10 L. Bien mélanger la solution

Quand vos plantes se sentiront bien, elles vont commencer à pousser et former de nouvelles racines. Plus ces dernières seront blanches, plus vos plantes seront en bonne santé.

Suivi de la croissance

• Nous vous encourageons à noter vos observations tout au long de la croissance des plantes et à partager vos questions et astuces sur le groupe WhatsApp auquel vous avez été ajouté.

Questionnaires

• N'oubliez pas de répondre au questionnaire tous les dimanches !

Notes et références

Document rédigé par Emma Bousquet-Pasturel dans le cadre de programme de sciences participative de Biosphère Expérience.

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