On Parade – Shamrocks For The Royal Artillery With AutoPot

Parades, Royal Artillery, St Patrick, and Queen Victoria. Not our usual fields of expertise to be sure, but no call to action goes unanswered at AutoPot HQ. So when a crop of ceremonial shamrocks for the 24 (Irish) Battery Royal Artillery began to falter we were more than happy to step into the breach. 

First presented by Queen Victoria to honour the gallantry of her Irish soldiers, fresh shamrocks have since become a St Patrick’s Day Parade tradition for Irish units within the British Armed Forces. Affixed to their uniforms, the shamrocks are a gloriously green expression of these units’ heritage and continuing identity. 

COVID restrictions had forced the temporary suspension of parades but with this year’s reinstatement the 24 (Irish) were keen to return in their full regalia. Hence their Regiment put a call out to Keith Hine, committee member of the National Vegetable Association, Surrey DA to produce the shamrocks. 

Keith is a gardener of some forty years experience with a fine record of exhibiting and judging veg and flowers. However, progress with the shamrocks was proving elusive. Having sown the seeds on the 9th of February he realised that the sprigs were developing too slowly. With time very much of the essence Keith brought AutoPot into the picture.

Happily we had just the tool for the job. A newly released Tray2Grow was plucked from its box, configured with capillary matting and seed trays and set to work on the shamrocks at our HQ. The shamrock seeds were planted up in Biobizz Light Mix and supplied with an extra dilute solution of Source nutrients via the reservoir and pipework, at an EC of around 1.4. Germination was achieved by days 3-4 and full growth within three weeks.

Whilst not terribly precious in their requirements, shamrocks do enjoy uniform, regular moisture, though not to excess. The Tray2Grow performed admirably, supplying irrigation at a measured, responsive, plant-controlled rate that produced quick, full, natural progress. 

Delighted with the results, Keith was able to whisk away armfuls of emphatically emerald emblems right in time for the 17th of March parade. Our thanks and best wishes to Keith and the 24 (Irish) Battery Royal Artillery for thinking of us, for the info received, and for giving us the opportunity to try something a little different!