"Hold on... my Streptocarpus just tweeted me"

It's true, you desperate houseplants, now you can tweet for help!


I've been wanting to do a post on digital advances in gardening for a while, but now I think we are there. Check out Botanicalls, created by Sparkfun Electronics. And, you can customize it. It's a little expensive ( for now) but imagine the possibilities ( or not?). I would have no use for one used un houseplants, but in a greenhouse of rare orchids and South African Bulbs, I can think of many applications, but perhaps, with a little tweaking.

Today, this Technorati post demonstrated a new very simple device for houseplants to tweet you when their soil goes dry, but wait....before you click off of this page, think about it Mr or Ms plant geek.......what if? I mean, it really might be helpful if my tray of tender Impatiens seedlings dries out, if they could tweet me at work requesting a squirt of water. I wonder if I could customize this device, so that a flat of Brusnvigia seedlings could tweet me if they are staying too wet? We may all laugh at this technology ( or lack of it) but some of these ideas might actually have a greater benefit.

If you have any great ideas on how real planstman could use this device, let me know, and collectively we can let the company know. I am sure that they would love to know. An ingenious electronic device (sku: KIT-10334) from SparkFun, offers a connection to your leafy pal via online Twitter status updates to your mobile phone.

When your plant needs water, it will post to let you know. Forget RSS feeds, Pffft. This is an S.O.S. feed! Plus, it sends its thanks when you show it love. Now when is the last time your cat thanked you?

It comes as a kit, so you can hone your soldering skills, (or teach someone else), while you build an essential line of communication between you and your houseplant, so you can bond and have a dedicated relationship!

It comes with everything you need to get your plant tweeting in no time, pre-programmed, but you can customize it with your own messages. The only thing you need to provide is a plant, network connection (and ethernet cable), and a power outlet. Unfortunately, it will set you back $99.95... per device.