The Seed Pod, designed by Bristol-based student Aaron Colfer, allows anyone to save and store seeds they collect from the plants they grow. The product is based on the industrial-level technology used at The Millenium Seed Bank, but here it's been simplified for consumer use...
As Mr. Colfer says in the UWE Bristol:
In order that seeds will germinate it is critical that once collected they are cleaned, dried and stored carefully. Stuffing seeds into an envelope and storing in a garden shed in often damp conditions will risk a seed failing to germinate but many gardeners derive enormous pleasure from saving and sharing seeds.
Working with Robin Probert, who heads up seed conservation and technology at Kew Gardens Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, I have come up with a way of improving a seed collection kit that they had devised. My Seed Pod design is compact enough to store in the fridge, it weighs next to nothing and can be offered to the market at a low cost.
The Seed Pod prototype is made from co polyester, which apparently has great thermal properties. It also features:
- An indicator sachet that turns orange when the seeds are dry enough to store in the fridge
- A built-in lens to make it easy to view the seeds indicator
- A stackable design
Mr. Colfer hopes to put the Seed Pod into production after he graduates.
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If this ever went into production I would definitely buy a bunch for my dad. :)
Ummm...I just let them dry on a shelf until the seeds fall naturally from the pod/stem/whatever and then put them in a paper envelope. All my seeds sprout every year. I don't understand why we need more petroleum-based consumer goods. A post educating readers about how to properly collect and store seeds would have been far more beneficial to the planet, although young Mr. Colfer might have to delay the purchase of his first BMW.
You can't be serious.
I especially love this bit:
"simplified for consumer use".
Can't wait to see the price
tag on this baby.
Thanks for the laugh.
If these ended up pretty cheap i would use them to start a community seed bank.
@meirad: I would personally supply you with as many free recycled envelopes as you need for the seed bank if you would forego this plastic landfill bait.