THE SOLAR GREENHOUSE

A drop of water, a particle of light, and a lot of mystery have, one day, created life on Earth, and, later, triggered the human adventure...

To re-establish this vital link between nature and us (human beings) while preserving the planet, we must all work together to find solutions.

That's why Drop & Foton offer you here to discover the main principles of sustainable development through ... the ecological greenhouse !

An object to draw and build, to carry out, with the whole family, a scientific experiment that shows the amazing powers of light.

The ecological greenhouse consists of several parts that allow you and your family to experiment with the effect of water and light on plant growth.

Sustainable development commitments

The cardboard used for the greenhouse is made in Indre et Loire.
It is made of 70% recycled fibres. Paper has been made since the Middle Ages. The cardboard for the packaging is also made in France, in Savoie.
The factory, which is FSC-certified, helps to promote responsible management of the world's forests. The printing and die-cutting is done in Agen by a company with PEFC and Imprim'vert certification.

The solar module consists of a photovoltaic panel, which converts the sun's energy into electricity, and a diode (LED), whose characteristic is to be energy efficient. It was designed in France.

Hemp is a natural and therefore renewable material. It can be used as a moisture regulator (like your carpet) but also for the production of clothes, creams, paper or furniture.

The berlingot is bagged in Bourges from organic seeds. The bag is made of PLA, a plastic made from sugar cane.

Packaging and control are mainly carried out by disabled people in an Etablissement et Services d'Aide par le Travail (ESAT) in Agen.

The photovoltaic panel

Photovoltaic technologies are multiple and evolving. The most efficient panels are used to power satellites. The most ecological technology is called "organic". The world's largest producer is located in Nantes. More than 80% of the panels used on Earth are made of silicon, but research is progressing...

As for the panel that equips your greenhouse, it is of the amorphous type, and
captures light even if the sky is overcast or near a lamp. Do the test!

Paper pulp

Pulp has been made with water power since the Middle Ages. In those days, old cloth was ground in mills to recover the cellulose. Today, millstones are still used to make pulp.

The seeds

They germinate without soil: it's magic!
Seeds have everything they need to grow: constant moisture, a little light, air and that's it.
Seeds are at their healthiest when they germinate.

The kit consists of :

- a cardboard greenhouse (to be coloured in) consisting of 3 elements:

a building, a base, and a bin.

a rechargeable blue Led solar module
a hemp substrate
a bag of watercress seeds

The assembly of the solar greenhouse

Remove the bracket and the greenhouse from the packaging. Remove the substrate tray from the cradle and unpack the solar module.

Once all the parts are out:
- Remove the adhesive protection from the solar module
and stick it under the greenhouse roof (unprinted side). the help of an adult may be required (fig 1).
- Fold all tabs and walls
following the fold lines (fig 1).
- Attach the walls (fig 2).

- Attach the base tabs
- fold down the roof and attach the roof tab to the opposite wall slot (fig 4).

- Base: pull up the tabs on the base to accommodate the hemp mat

Fitting the tray: fold and fix the sides of the tray (fig 5)

Operation of the solar greenhouse

Place the greenhouse in daylight to recharge the battery.
(ideally in the brightest window in your home).

5 hours of charging in the sun provides 5 hours of light.

In the evening, place the greenhouse on the seed tray and turn on the light.

Thanks to the "automatic shutdown" system, the greenhouse switches off automatically when the light level exceeds 2000 Lux.

Seed cultivation.

Spread the seeds* over the hemp mat. Moisten the hemp mat 2 to 3 times a day with water at room temperature (ideally with a sprayer) and leave it in the light, but away from direct sunlight.

Tip: Before sowing your seeds on the hemp mat, place them in a bowl of water for an hour to stimulate germination.

Did you know?

Both red and blue light have a beneficial influence on plants; blue light promotes the hatching and growth of young plants.

The benefits of sprouted seeds

Germinated watercress seeds are rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, D, E, trace elements and minerals.
Germinated watercress has detoxifying, reconstituting, depurative, diuretic, stimulating and toning properties. Very digestible, it strengthens the gums, skin and hair.

What next?

Once the harvest is done, you can start a new crop.
At the end of its life, when the greenhouse is no longer usable, you must take care to sort out the components: Everything that is cardboard goes in the paper or packaging bin.
The biodegradable substrate can be buried in a garden or thrown into a compost bin. The solar module should be disposed of in the WEEE (electrical appliances) collection bins usually located in shopping centres, for recycling.

Specifications

Greenhouse in 550g white recycled cardboard. (dimensions: 105 x 95 x 95 (h) mm)

Adhesive solar module consisting of :

- a 22 x 35 mm photovoltaic panel - a blue LED

- a rechargeable battery Lir 2032

The ecological greenhouse is guaranteed for 1 year.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at info@litogami.com
The ecological greenhouse, designed and manufactured in France. Published by Litogami 92150 Suresnes