A compact (such as a 4″×7′×7″) decorative, self-contained, internet-connected low maintenance terrarium that is completely passive and contains no moving parts. The terrarium device is such that it can sustain itself, with no human maintenance necessary, for several weeks at a time. The terrarium has a computer processor, wireless connectivity, one or more LED lights, and a durable optical water sensor and reservoir design. The terrarium is configured with embedded and connected logic for full internet of things (IoT) functionality.

A compact (such as a 4″×7′×7″) decorative, self-contained, internet-connected low maintenance terrarium that is completely passive and contains no moving parts. The terrarium device is such that it can sustain itself, with no human maintenance necessary, for several weeks at a time. The terrarium has a computer processor, wireless connectivity, one or more LED lights, and a durable optical water sensor and reservoir design. The terrarium is configured with embedded and connected logic for full internet of things (IoT) functionality.

A system and associated method include coconut fiber liners used in hanging wire flower baskets. The coco fiber basket liner may create a water seal in the liner by over-coating a portion of the inner liner with a unique blend of all-natural rubber latex, then molding the liners into shape. The added latex coating may seal in and hold water in the bottom portion of the liner. This feature may keep the soil moist while still allowing air to flow thru the plants. The moisture and airflow may help promote healthier plants and roots and require less watering. Excess water beyond the intended amount may drain out thru the permeable side walls of the coco liner.

A hydroponic plant cultivation apparatus includes a reservoir with an opening. A plurality of planting modules can be stacked above the opening. Each planting module includes at least one planting port, a module conduit aperture, a top end, and a bottom end configured to releasably engage the top end. A conduit fluidly communicable with the reservoir is receivable through the module conduit apertures. A fluid distributor is engageable with a top end of the conduit. A fluid contained in the reservoir is selectively circulatable from the reservoir through the conduit to the fluid distributor, where the fluid is redirected down the interior of the planting modules and back to the reservoir when the planting modules are stacked above the opening in the reservoir, the conduit is received in the module conduit apertures and fluidly communicated with the reservoir, and the fluid distributor is engaged with the conduit.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for transporting a length of growth medium cut into pieces of suitable size into a propagation tray.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a vertically oriented plant growth system (2) that includes a plurality of tower arrays, each tower array having a plurality of towers. Each tower is vertically mounted and includes a plurality of hub structures thereon for growing crops. The individual hub structures include attached bottles that are sized to support soil sufficient for plant growth and prevent the escape of water. Through the supply of pressurized water to flow control devices above each tower of the tower arrays, soil in each bottle is irrigated with water received at a controlled flow rate to grow crops using minimal space and without reliance on particular soil conditions.

Disclosed is a growing system that includes a hollow grow tower with planting units configured to hold plants disposed on the tower exterior where the planting units have a passage that extends into the tower interior. The tower also includes a drain port at one end and a water-dispensing nozzle at the other end. The nozzle includes outlet apertures in fluid communication with the interior of the tower where one or more of the nozzle outlet apertures may be square. An enclosure surrounds the tower, and one or more light sources are mounted on the enclosure to direct light towards the tower. The tower and enclosure can be connected to a suspension frame that suspends the entire system off the ground. The system may include a closed-loop irrigation system and a multi-tank cleaning system. System variables, such as water flow, temperature, lighting, and water nutrient level can be computer controlled.

A tower closing apparatus is provided that is configured to simplify the closing of a multi-piece, hinged hydroponic tower. The hydroponic tower closing apparatus utilizes a collection of static and continuously moving components (e.g., motor driven drive rollers, alignment rollers, tower body alignment rollers, face plate manipulation rollers, face closing rollers, etc.) to close a hydroponic tower as it passes through the apparatus. In particular, as the tower is driven through the closing apparatus, a series of face plate manipulation rollers gradually rotate the face plate(s) relative to the tower body, moving the face plate(s) from a fully open position to a partially closed position. Next a series of face closing rollers continue to rotate the face plate(s) from the partially closed position to the fully closed position, forcing the fasteners to latch the face plate(s) into position.

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.

Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.