Air-pruning seedling cell — 3D-printable model preview

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Garden & plants Advanced

Air-pruning seedling cell

Grow seedlings whose roots branch at the slotted walls instead of circling the pot

In a solid pot, roots hit the wall and circle round and round, and plants struggle after transplanting. In this cell, the walls are full of tall slots: when a root tip reaches the air at a slot, it dries and stops, and the plant sends out new side roots instead. The result is a dense, fibrous root ball that grabs the soil the moment it is planted out. Nurseries call it air-pruning; it is ideal for trees, tomatoes and anything with a long taproot.

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Size: 70 × 70 × 110 mm
Shape: Rectangular
Walls: 2.4 mm
Volume: 13.5 cm³
Est. weight (PLA): 16.7 g
Parts to print: 1
Category: Garden & plants
Made by: Krypto
Built in: 53 steps

What’s in it

Rectangular, 70 × 70 × 110 mm, with 2.4 mm walls
4 holes in the floor
4 patterned wall panels (cut-out)

How to print it

Stand the cells in a tray with an air gap underneath; water a little more often than solid pots.

Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

Filament: at most about 16.7 g of PLA printed solid (roughly $0.33 at $20 per kg); normal infill uses less.

To get the files, open it in the generator and choose File › Download STL (one file per part) or Download 3MF (every part on one plate).

Questions

What size is the air-pruning seedling cell model?

The air-pruning seedling cell model measures 70 × 70 × 110 mm (width × depth × height). You can change every size in the free SO3D.xyz generator before you download it.

Does it need supports?

No. Stand the cells in a tray with an air gap underneath; water a little more often than solid pots. Prints as shown on its floor, no supports.

How much filament does it use?

At most about 16.7 g of PLA (13.5 cm³ printed solid), roughly $0.33 of filament at $20 per kg. Normal infill uses less.

Can I change it?

Yes. Open it in the SO3D.xyz generator (free, in your browser), change the size, walls, dividers, holes, text or anything else, then download it as STL or 3MF for your slicer.

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Make it fit your space

Change the size, walls, dividers, holes and labels of the air-pruning seedling cell model in your browser, then download it for your printer. Free, no CAD needed.

Customize this model