Disclosed herein are mineral-based composites that comprise gypsum, syngenite, brucite and a hydrated magnesium sulphate mineral, and which are adapted to degrade when buried. Also disclosed herein are mineral mixtures which can be used to produce the mineral-based composites, as well as products, such as plantable containers, formed from the mineral-based composites and which degrade when buried.

Crops, for example microgreens, may be aeroponically grown from seed on substrates. The substrates may be seeded with the substrates in a horizontal position, and then arranged vertically for germination and further growth. A gelling material in solution, with the gelling material for example a gellum, may be applied to the substrates, while in the horizontal position, so that the seeds are retained on the substrates when the substrates are moved to a vertical position.

A plant growing vessel includes an impervious outer vessel, a cover, a first permeable membrane, a nutrient chamber, and a pocket. The impervious outer vessel includes an inert substrate in a root zone. The cover is positioned over the impervious outer vessel. The first permeable membrane is in contact with the inert substrate. The nutrient chamber includes solid nutrients. The nutrient chamber is between the cover and the first permeable membrane or between the first permeable membrane and a bottom of the impervious outer vessel, and the solid nutrients are in contact with the first permeable membrane. The pocket is configured to allow seeds, seedlings, or shoots of plants access to the inert substrate through an aperture in the cover.

A plant growing vessel includes an impervious outer vessel, a cover, a first permeable membrane, a nutrient chamber, and a pocket. The impervious outer vessel includes an inert substrate in a root zone. The cover is positioned over the impervious outer vessel. The first permeable membrane is in contact with the inert substrate. The nutrient chamber includes solid nutrients. The nutrient chamber is between the cover and the first permeable membrane or between the first permeable membrane and a bottom of the impervious outer vessel, and the solid nutrients are in contact with the first permeable membrane. The pocket is configured to allow seeds, seedlings, or shoots of plants access to the inert substrate through an aperture in the cover.

A grow media includes a layered grow media including a mechanical support structure layer and a wicking structure layer. The mechanical support structure layer and the wicking structure layer are coupled together in a vertical configuration.

A grow media includes a layered grow media including a mechanical support structure layer and a wicking structure layer. The mechanical support structure layer and the wicking structure layer are coupled together in a vertical configuration.

A plant growing vessel includes an impervious outer vessel, a cover, a first permeable membrane, a nutrient chamber, and a pocket. The impervious outer vessel includes an inert substrate in a root zone. The cover is positioned over the impervious outer vessel. The first permeable membrane is in contact with the inert substrate. The nutrient chamber includes solid nutrients. The nutrient chamber is between the cover and the first permeable membrane or between the first permeable membrane and a bottom of the impervious outer vessel, and the solid nutrients are in contact with the first permeable membrane. The pocket is configured to allow seeds, seedlings, or shoots of plants access to the inert substrate through an aperture in the cover.

A plant growing vessel includes an impervious outer vessel, a cover, a first permeable membrane, a nutrient chamber, and a pocket. The impervious outer vessel includes an inert substrate in a root zone. The cover is positioned over the impervious outer vessel. The first permeable membrane is in contact with the inert substrate. The nutrient chamber includes solid nutrients. The nutrient chamber is between the cover and the first permeable membrane or between the first permeable membrane and a bottom of the impervious outer vessel, and the solid nutrients are in contact with the first permeable membrane. The pocket is configured to allow seeds, seedlings, or shoots of plants access to the inert substrate through an aperture in the cover.

Provided is a cultivating material composition including a cultivating substrate and a bio-cellulose film, wherein the bio-cellulose film is in contact with the cultivating substrate, such that highly increased yield and quality of crops, a shorter harvest period, less water and nutrient sources, and low cost can be achieved.

Provided is a cultivating material composition including a cultivating substrate and a bio-cellulose film, wherein the bio-cellulose film is in contact with the cultivating substrate, such that highly increased yield and quality of crops, a shorter harvest period, less water and nutrient sources, and low cost can be achieved.