Winter Bulbs meets 3D Printing: A Creative Twist for the Dark Season
We’ve entered the darkest time of the year (for those of us in the northern hemisphere, that is). The trees are bare, and greenery is scarce, so my current craving for fresh flowers and plants to fill my home is even stronger than usual.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with bulbs. They bring the promise that spring is on its way, and there’s something special about watching them grow and thrive, even in the darkest months.
With my hyacinth vase currently occupied growing a seed from a store bought avocado in to a baby bonsai, I needed a new way to grow my bulbs. While planting them in soil was an option, I find it fascinating to see the roots as they develop – and so this inspired me to get creative!
In fact, my final investment of 2024—a 3D printer—turned out to be the perfect tool for the job. Using a drinking glass as the container, I designed a holder to support the bulb while keeping the roots visible. After experimenting with shapes, I settled on a curved, conical design that’s functional and visually appealing.
The result? A beautiful, practical way to grow bulbs indoors during winter.
The holder was designed in SOLIDWORKS and printed with my Bambu Lab 3D printer, using white matte PLA filament—a plant-based plastic that’s non-toxic and fume-free during printing.
What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your feedback on the design—or how you bring a bit of spring into these dark winter months!
FRIDA RAGNAR 