The Metgro: Watered-down news.

It was the Thursday before the Friday of my event. I had put up my posters and had handed out flyer packs with seed paper inside so people could try planting the Metgros at home.
The plant pots were in situ, the greenhouse was ready and waiting and the Metgros had been exhibited in the canteen for nearly a week...
I knew what needed to be done next.
And employee of the seed paper company Creative Paper Wales had responded to an e-mail I had written to him asking for tips on how to gain the best results from planting the paper:

Hi Jenna, We have had best results by tearing the paper into postage stamp sized pieces, then soaking overnight in lukewarm water to soften the paper matrix and to stimulate germination. Then. lay the pieces out on a bed of fine compost and sprinkle about 5mm over the top and water the resulting seed bed with a fine mist spray until it is evenly moist. Keep this seed bed moist and warm and wait for nature to take its course! Very warmest regards Lawrence Toms CREATIVE PAPER WALES

I had to soak the Metgros overnight. After all, I wanted to give them every chance of growing. I took Lawrence's advice and prepared the Metgros.

I found two black trays which held each piece perfectly. These would act as water containers. I decided instead of just pouring lukewarm water on to the Metgros, I would make a performance out of the process. I asked a friend wearing a Barak Obama jumper reading "YES WE CAN" to actually water the Metgros using a watering can in front of the greenhouse. This seemed appropriate so as to begin to merge the urban and rural visual language and create further interest.

METRO 1 - YES WE CAN!

METRO 2

The Metgros were left outside overnight to soak up the water and to stimulate the seeds, ready for my LETS GROW THE METRO event the following evening.