Revision as of 12:34, 14 October 2015

Makespace has some decorative plants, which may also help to improve the air quality.

The plant pots may eventually become part of the Internet Of Things, reporting their hydration level.

See also Plants more generally, including possible hydroponics projects.

Entrance corridor

Makespace has a soil bed (ca. five by half a meter) along the entrance corridor from the outer main door. The downside of this area is that it is fairly dim, hence plants have to be chosen carefully so they don't just die off! The soil is super dry and does not soak up water easily, which makes watering a bit tricky (if you are not careful, you might even wash away the plants!). For now the plants should be watered at least once or twice per week, whenever the top soil looks completely dried out again.

Contents

The bed is currently planted with (from left to right) an onion, garlic, and lots of little spider plants (two of which are variegated).

NB: First the garlic and later the onion died off; not sure whether it was lack of sun or not enough watering.

Last watered

• Tuesday 26 March
• Tuesday 2 April
• a few times in between
• Wednesday 5 June
• Saturday 15 June
• Sunday 2014-03-16

Suggestions/thoughts for other plants

• ivy?
• dracena (dragon tree)
• aloe/cactus
• generally plants with large deep-green leaves...
• Hanging baskets on top?

Main space

One or more plant pots might become suspended on monorails running along the cabling track in the main space, if no-one objects. They could move slowly along, (driven by photovoltaic cells or by a supply rail), and change directions when bumping into each other or into end-stops.

There are many ceiling beams from which hanging baskets could be suspended (one now done).

Contents

• One larger spider plant (variegated) on the cable racking near the kitchen stairs.

• One spider plant (variegated) hanging on chains from the ceiling beams.

• Several spider plants (variegated) in individual pots on cable racking between cable stairs and back door.

• One spider plant (variegated) hanging on a rope and pulleys from the ceiling beams. This plant is called "Δαμοκλής" (Damocles) (thanks to Mat Cook for the naming).

This plant can be lowered for checking, and can be raised higher to keep the trailing bits from getting in the way. Be careful when releasing the rope; the hanging assembly weighs around 8Kg.

The aluminium pole supporting the trug handles has a an extra 4mm through hole at each end, that could be used to attach extras such as LEDs, although we should probably put end caps on just in case it falls or otherwise comes into contact with people.

We have put a soil humidity sensor in its soil, and perhaps a thin hose running up there to water it, using a pump with timer. Setting 5 on the timer seems to be about right, but it needs more in the summer.

Last watered

Watered automatically by a pump with timer.

Kitchen

Contents

• One spider plant (variegated) in a large pot on the counter surface by the windows into the main space

Sofa room

Contents

• One spider plant (variegated) in a large pot on the counter surface by the windows into the main space

Last watered

Watered every Sunday morning by JCGS

More plants?

• in the meetspace?
• in the mainspace? (fewer but large tree-ish plants?)
• probably none in the workshop:)

• Internet-of-Things incorporating spider plants