Knotpot

Testing knotpot recipes
The knotpot is a small cultivation pot designed for agriculture to dissolve in a couple of days. Due to this requirement we want to use only biodegradable materials. These pots are bigger than ø 6 cm. The knotpot is currently only made out of the Japanese Knotweed, water and hide glue, but can vary through these testings. We are also looking towards other settings; such as adding temperature, other materials which can be used as a binder.

N° 1
This pot represents the first test result with a new mold, specifically designed for cultivation purposes. We used the recipe from the Knotplex. Yet, this proportion between the glue and the fibers is too liquid. From our previous test, we discovered that protein could be a valuable additive.

INGREDIENTS 20 g Japanese knotweed 16 ml water 16 g hide glue 20 g rice protein

SETTINGS 10 ft 20 minutes pressing time

STEPS 1° Heat the glue granules until it completely absorbs the water and has a sticky, homogeneous texture. 2° Measure the fibers and protein and add them to the hot glue. 3° Put it in the mold and press it like described in the setting. 4° After the pressing time, take the pot carefully out of the mold.

ANALYSIS

LEARNING LESSON Because we hadn’t had enough material, the pot came out half. So the next test must have more mixture.

N° 2


The second pot is slightly different from the first version. We used more JKW fibers, water and more protein.

INGREDIENTS 70 g Japanese knotweed 190 ml water 110 g hide glue 40 g pea protein

SETTINGS 10 ft 20 minutes pressing time STEPS 1° Heat the glue granules until it completely absorbs the water and has a sticky, homogeneous texture. 2° Measure the fibers and protein and add them to the hot glue. 3° Put it in the mold and press it like described in the setting. 4° After the pressing time, take the pot carefully out of the mold. ANALYSIS LEARNING LESSON Maybe we should pull the pot out of the mold in the other direction, from the bottom.

28/03/2022


For this one we adjusted the amount of water. The reasoning to use more water was that the glue would spread more. The glue was too liquid and when under pressure, the glue came out of the mold. Therefore this experiment was absolutely a realization that the amount of glue was too high compared to the amount of fibers.

INGREDIENTS 40 g Japanese knotweed 110 ml water 55 g hide glue

SETTINGS - ft - minutes pressing time

STEPS 1° Heat the glue granules until it completely absorbs the water and has a sticky, homogeneous texture. 2° Measure the fibers and protein and add them to the hot glue. 3° Put it in the mold and press it like described in the setting. 4° After the pressing time, take the pot carefully out of the mold.

ANALYSIS

LEARNING LESSON In this test we added too much glue compared to the amount of fibers.

N° 1
This cultivation pot is a new result of a different composed recipe. We added 1,7% water to the hide granules. INGREDIENTS 40 g Japanese knotweed 220 ml water 22 g hide glue 36 ml water added to the glue

SETTINGS 3,5 ft 30 minutes pressing time

STEPS

ANALYSIS

LEARNING LESSON

N° 2
The test results of this recipe were pretty interesting. The mixture was more moist than the previous test that day, but it still felt dry. Because this sample came out nicely, we tried to make a couple samples with this recipe as a base. INGREDIENTS 40 g Japanese knotweed 32 g hide glue 54 ml water added to the glue

SETTINGS 3 ft 40 minutes pressing time

STEPS ANALYSIS

LEARNING LESSON

N° 1
This test has the same ingredients as the previous test just so we can evaluate the recipe. We wonder if this mixture is a good ratio or does it need some changes?

INGREDIENTS 40 g Japanese knotweed 34 g hide glue 57 ml water added to the glue

SETTINGS 1,5 ft 40 minutes pressing time

STEPS ANALYSIS LEARNING LESSON

N° 2
This result also has the same ingredients as the test on 29/03. It's the third test so we can evaluate if this mixture works.

INGREDIENTS 40 g Japanese knotweed 34 g hide glue 57 ml water added to the glue

SETTINGS 4,5 ft 35 minutes pressing time

STEPS ANALYSIS LEARNING LESSON

12/04/2022
INGREDIENTS 50 g Japanese knotweed 30 g hide glue 55 ml water added to the glue

SETTINGS 5 ft 30 minutes pressing time

STEPS LEARNING LESSON

26/04/2022
INGREDIENTS 50 g Japanese knotweed 30 g hide glue 55 ml water added to the glue 15 g algae protein

SETTINGS 5 ft 30 minutes pressing time

STEPS ANALYSIS LEARNING LESSON