Disclosed herein are soil amendments, generally in the form of coated perlite compositions, as well as methods of making and using the same. The disclosed compositions, methods, and systems provide for various beneficial enhancements to plants growth and soil health, and may decrease costs, for example by avoiding the need for multiple treatments. The presently disclosed compositions, methods, and systems also aid in prolonging release of plant nutrition into the soil (including silica), enhancing aeration, water retention, and drainage, resisting soil compaction, providing for pest and insect control, etc. In many embodiments, the disclosed coated perlite composition is a sterile composition, that is lightweight, and has a low dust content, which may provide for efficient and low-cost handling and transport of products comprising same. The disclosed coated perlite compositions comprise perlite particles having a coating of a mixture of diatomaceous earth phosphorous and may also include one or more of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the coating.

A grow plug 1 has a dimensionally stabilized dried body 3 of glued organic material as well as at least a single seed grain 5. The seed grain is present on the body and the body has a density that is such that it absorbs liquid from below up to the top side and retains an amount of water that is sufficient for having the seed grain germinate and grow into a plant.

When a plant is cultivated by means of this grow plug 1 the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in a cultivation system and subsequently moistened by pouring water from above onto the grow plug, where the redundant water is drained by the grow plug or the grow plug is inserted into water 21 with its bottom side, and the grow plug sucks up water and some time after the germination of the seed grain the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in the cultivation system.

A grow plug 1 has a dimensionally stabilized dried body 3 of glued organic material as well as at least a single seed grain 5. The seed grain is present on the body and the body has a density that is such that it absorbs liquid from below up to the top side and retains an amount of water that is sufficient for having the seed grain germinate and grow into a plant.

When a plant is cultivated by means of this grow plug 1 the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in a cultivation system and subsequently moistened by pouring water from above onto the grow plug, where the redundant water is drained by the grow plug or the grow plug is inserted into water 21 with its bottom side, and the grow plug sucks up water and some time after the germination of the seed grain the grow plug is put in the soil 25 or in the cultivation system.

According to at least one embodiment, a growing medium and method of making said growing medium is shown and described. This medium may include at least a first and second component such that at least one of the first or second component is coconut coir and the other of the at least first or second component is a wood fiber. In one embodiment, the at least first and second component are combined and then compressed via heat and pressure resulting in a finished medium for an end user.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), comprising the steps of (vi) providing MMVF; (vii) providing an uncured binder composition; (viii) providing a superabsorbent polymer; (ix) forming a mixture of the MMVF, the uncured binder composition and the superabsorbent polymer; (x) curing the uncured binder composition in the mixture to form the coherent growth substrate product; wherein the uncured binder composition comprises at least one hydrocolloid.

In a method of coating a particulate material, a particulate material is fed into a mixing chamber. The particulate material is agitated within the mixing chamber and conveyed to a mixing chamber outlet. A coating is directed into the mixing chamber and the flow of the coating is controlled based on the volumetric flow rate of the particulate material into the mixing chamber. The coating includes at least one compound selected from herbicides, insecticides, nutrients, wetting agents, surfactants, fungicides, biologicals, inoculants, and mixtures thereof.

A mechanically resilient variety of Rushia lineolata is presented, particularly in combination with a conditioned growth medium. In preferred aspects, the variety is clonally selected for a small growth profile and mechanical resiliency to resist damage from foot traffic, and the growth medium includes a porous low-density glass component, an acidic organic absorbent component, and a microbial organic component to enhance the desired properties.

A method for making a dyed mulch composition or a dyed growing medium, the method comprising combining tree bark including one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors and wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition at a temperature greater than about 149 C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks, the refiner separating the tree bark and wood components into fibers and separating the fibers from each other; and dyeing the wood components by the one or more pigments and/or pigment precursors while the tree bark and the wood components are being separated into fibers in the refiner to obtain dyed fibers.

The present disclosure is directed to a wood fibre mat for use as a plant substrate including wood fibres, and at least one polar liquid absorbing agent, and a biodegradable binder consisting of polylactic acid fibres and at least one starch. The disclosure also relates to processes for its production.

The present disclosure is directed to a wood fibre mat for use as a plant substrate including wood fibres, and at least one polar liquid absorbing agent, and a biodegradable binder consisting of polylactic acid fibres and at least one starch. The disclosure also relates to processes for its production.