The current invention relates to a plant growth and support module comprising (a) a backing (1), (b) a hydroponic substrate (8), wherein said hydroponic substrate (8) comprises an array of holes (9) for receiving a plant and/or a growth medium, (c) an irrigation layer, wherein said irrigation layer comprises a capillary material, and (d) a front (2), wherein said front (2) is connected to said backing (1), enclosing the hydroponic substrate (8) and the irrigation layer, said front (2) comprising an array of openings (4), said array of openings (4) are aligned with the holes of the hydroponic substrate (8), and wherein both the backing (1) and the front (2) comprise glass fibers, and which backing (1) and said front (2) are interconnected by means of an infusible stitching (3). Further aspects of the invention relate to a kit of at least two plant growth and support modules, a green wall, and a method of manufacturing a green wall.

Described is a method for vegetative propagation of plants by exposing a plant material to an oxytocin solution and/or a variant and/or derivative thereof.

Storage, growing system and methods for storing, germinating, propagating and or growing living organisms, exemplary systems including stackable growth tray(s) containing: a drainage system, the drainage system including: an inclined growing surface, inclined in a direction to at least one drainage hole; a drainage routing structure positioned over the at least one drainage hole, and having a down-pipe and a connecting routing pipe, wherein the down-pipe is for receiving fluid from an adjacent-above stackable item and transmitting the fluid to an adjacent-below down-pipe or a drain-pipe, and the connecting routing pipe is for receiving fluid from an adjacent-above drainage hole and routing the fluid to the down-pipe, and wherein fluid propagating from the inclined growing surface or an adjacent-above stackable item is directed through the growth tray to a down-steam point in the drainage system.

A pole system for racking, storing, germinating, propagating and growing living organisms on a growth tray, the pole system including: a substantially vertical support structure, the support structure including at least one utility system for supporting propagation or growth of a living organism; one or more vertically-spaced interface positions, each for interfacing with a growth tray; and one or more openings in the support structure, corresponding to one or more of the interface positions, for providing services to interfaced growth tray(s) is disclosed. Further, a hydroponic system and method using the pole system are disclosed.

A soil beating apparatus comprising: (i) a frame configured to he detachably mounted to a support structure of a moveable gantry., (ii) an exhaust hood disposed in combination with the frame and having a shield directing heat downwardly toward a soil material to be heat treated, (iii) a plurality of plates each an end portion projecting downwardly from the exhaust hood toward the soil material and configured to be lowered into the soil material by the frame at a predefined depth relative to the ground plane of the soil material, and (iv) a burner disposed in combination with the exhaust hood and in fluid communication with a first supply of fuel and oxidizer, the burner configured to combust the first supply of fuel and oxidizer to beat each of the plates. The plurality of plates are oriented along a direction of motion of the moveable gantry to transfer heat into the soil material at the predefined depth to thermally heat-treat the soil material.

A hydroponic growing system is presented. The system can include multiple growing trays in a vertical arrangement, where a pump supplies the top-most tray and each lower tray is supplied by the overlying tray, and where the plumbing elements for supply and drainage are arranged to one side of the system. The system includes variations to support different crop types within the same system, including removable growing structures for root vegetable, microgreens and supports for vining crops. The system can monitor and adjust the nutrients and other features of the systems water profile to concurrently group multiple crops in differing developing stages.

The following disclosure relates to a valve assembly for allowing filling and draining of a container with a liquid, preferably for use in growing plants, the valve comprising: a filling catchment containing at least one opening for receiving liquid and at least one drainage orifice, the filling catchment being located within the container; a draining outlet adapted to convey liquid out of the container; a plugging member configured to move between a first position where the plugging member allows liquid to flow into the draining outlet and a second position where the plugging member prevents liquid from flowing through the draining outlet; and a biasing member which acts to retain the plugging member in the first position unless a force is applied above a predetermined value. Also provided are systems including and methods of using said valve assembly.

A method of preparing a flowering plant product in hypobarically- and hypoxically-controlled atmospheres is disclosed. The method includes providing a simulated high-altitude controlled atmosphere (SHACA) room having a chamber, a plant support structure disposed within the chamber, and a microclimate control system operable to establish and maintain within the chamber a simulated high-altitude environment having an oxygen (O2) partial pressure of less than 20 kRa and, optionally, an overall pressure of less than 97 kPa. The method also includes disposing a flowering plant on the plant support structure, and exposing the flowering plant to the simulated high-altitude environment within the chamber. A simulated high-altitude CA room for cultivating and processing flowering plants in a hypobaric and hypoxic atmosphere is also provided.

A system and method for generating high-yield plant production is disclosed. The system includes a container, a growing station, and a monitoring system. The growing station includes vertical racks, a lighting system, an irrigation system, a climate control system, and a ventilation system. The monitoring system monitors all of the systems in the growing station, as well as the environment within the container, to provide real-time data and alerts to a user.

An apparatus for cultivating plants may include a cabinet forming a space in which plants may be cultivated; a door connected to the cabinet to open or close the space; at least one bed disposed in the space; at least one seed package separably seated on the at least one bed and having a medium including seeds of plants and nutrient solution; and a light assembly to radiate light to the at least one seed package disposed on the at least one bed. The at least one bed may include an upper bed on which the at least one seed package may be seated and a bottom bed on which the upper bed may be seated and that forms a water collecting portion that stores water, and the at least one seed package may be supplied with the water stored in the water collecting portion.