A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

A synthetic soil substrate system has a plurality of synthetic soil substrate layers that are individually designed to promote plant growth as the roots grow into the layer and as a function of the growth stage. The synthetic soil substrate layers may be planar or may be concentrically arranged with a first synthetic soil substrate ring layer being configured inside of a second synthetic soil substrate ring layer. A synthetic soil substrate has pores that are configured for plant growth and retention and/or deliver of water and growth additives. The average pore size of a first synthetic soil substrate layer may be substantially different from the average pore size of an adjacent synthetic soil substrate layer. Also, the pore structure or shape of the pores may be different between synthetic soil substrate layers, The synthetic soil substrate may have an integral growth additive retained in the pores.

A growing medium for a plant production apparatus utilized in greenhouse crop production is provided. The growing medium comprises a fibrous, non-woven matrix media material wherein the media material is constructed from a plastic material.

A growing medium for a plant production apparatus utilized in greenhouse crop production is provided. The growing medium comprises a fibrous, non-woven matrix media material wherein the media material is constructed from a plastic material.

A magnetic sheet for plant cultivation includes: a base material; and a magnetic layer which is arranged on the base material and includes a resin and at least one selected from the group consisting of a ferromagnetic powder and a ferrimagnetic powder, wherein a product of residual magnetization and layer thickness of the magnetic layer is 20 mA or higher.

The present disclosure describes a hydroponic system. The hydroponic system can include a pad medium that includes a plurality of seeds. The pad medium can be supported over a water vessel by a support medium. The system can also include a first nutrient strip that can be coupled to the pad medium, support medium, or vessel. The nutrient strip can include a first nutrient pad that is impregnated with nutrients. The nutrient strip can also include a barrier layer that at least partially encloses the nutrient pad. The barrier layer can include an opening to expose the nutrient pad to an external environment. A shape of the nutrient pad and a shape of the opening can be configured to control a rate of release of nutrients from the nutrient strip.

A plant growing device includes an envelope made of a vacuum formed film and having substantially planar first and second walls interconnected by a surrounding wall. A plant growing medium is enclosed by the envelope. The first and second walls each has a plurality of micro-holes, and a network of interconnected ribs that are indented from an outer surface of the first or second wall to define a plurality of flow guide channels. The second wall further has openings to receive plants. The first wall further has drain holes. The envelope has high air permeability due to the micro-holes while still possessing a relative high strength due to the network of ribs.

A plant growth system and medium employs a manmade mineral fiber-based growth medium that includes from about 40% to about 99.5% man-made mineral fiber interspersed with from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight pieces of natural or synthetic open cell foam. The foam includes from about 5 to about 50 pores per square inch. Additives in the form of nutrients, fungi, and bacteria are included. Water is supplied to plants by flood and drain watering during plant growth in the medium. EC is maintained within a range of about 0.5 mS/cm to about 2.500 mS/cm and pH is maintained within a range of about 5.6 to about 5.8.

A coir pot for indoor horticultural applications having an inner surface wherein the inner surface is at least partially covered with a coating layer, wherein said coating layer comprises at least a crosslinked latex, clay and a non-ionic surface-active agent, wherein the weight-ratio of crosslinked latex to clay is between 3:1 and 1:1.

A coir pot for indoor horticultural applications having an inner surface wherein the inner surface is at least partially covered with a coating layer, wherein said coating layer comprises at least a crosslinked latex, clay and a non-ionic surface-active agent, wherein the weight-ratio of crosslinked latex to clay is between 3:1 and 1:1.