A plant cultivating apparatus may comprise a cultivating unit, a plurality of cultivating cups, a nutrient bucket, a motor, a temperature adjusting unit, a temperature and humidity sensor, and a control unit. The control unit, which is electrically connected to the motor, the temperature adjusting unit and the sensor, is configured to receive environmental data such as temperature and humidity from the sensor and to turn on/off the motor or/and the temperature adjusting unit according to the received data.

A horticultural substrate conditioner includes a housing having an opening to receive a growing medium and an outlet to discharge the growing medium, a shaft arranged within the housing, the shaft rotatable relative to the housing, and a plurality of tines disposed on the shaft spaced apart from each other, the tines comprising a flexible material, wherein upon entry of a growing medium into the housing, the tines are capable of engaging the growing medium such that as the shaft rotates, the growing medium is broken apart and/or reduced in density and size to enable optimal distribution of the growing medium into a container upon discharge from the housing.

A horticultural substrate conditioner includes a housing having an opening to receive a growing medium and an outlet to discharge the growing medium, a shaft arranged within the housing, the shaft rotatable relative to the housing, and a plurality of tines disposed on the shaft spaced apart from each other, the tines comprising a flexible material, wherein upon entry of a growing medium into the housing, the tines are capable of engaging the growing medium such that as the shaft rotates, the growing medium is broken apart and/or reduced in density and size to enable optimal distribution of the growing medium into a container upon discharge from the housing.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

The invention provides preparation of a selenium-water-soluble high-molecular polysaccharide hydrogel and use thereof. The preparation method includes: (1) water solution of polysaccharide and seleno-compound was prepared by heating the mixture with stirring; and (2) the solution was cooled with standing within shaped container to obtain the selenium-polysaccharide composite hydrogel. Plant seeds are sown on the surface of the composite hydrogel and cultivated to obtain selenium-rich plants. Shape-controllable hydrogel could be prepared by recycled hydrogel through high-temperature dissolution followed with cooling to realize the effective utilization of selenium in the hydrogel. Compared with the traditional selenium enrichment method, current method showed advances in prevent of selenium pollution, which normally caused by the application of selenium fertilizers.

A process of plant fertilization includes adsorbing phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and then applying the plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to a plant medium. A composition includes a soil amendment and a plant medium. The soil amendment includes a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source adsorbed onto the particles. A process includes adsorbing a first amount of phosphorus from a phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to saturate the particles of phosphorus adsorbent with phosphorus. The process also includes processing the particles to maintain the first amount of phosphorus on the particles and permit additional adsorption of phosphorus onto the particles. The process further includes adsorbing an additional amount of phosphorus from the phosphorus source onto the particles to saturate the particles with phosphorus.

A process of plant fertilization includes adsorbing phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and then applying the plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to a plant medium. A composition includes a soil amendment and a plant medium. The soil amendment includes a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent and phosphorus from an anthropogenic phosphorus source adsorbed onto the particles. A process includes adsorbing a first amount of phosphorus from a phosphorus source onto a plurality of particles of phosphorus adsorbent to saturate the particles of phosphorus adsorbent with phosphorus. The process also includes processing the particles to maintain the first amount of phosphorus on the particles and permit additional adsorption of phosphorus onto the particles. The process further includes adsorbing an additional amount of phosphorus from the phosphorus source onto the particles to saturate the particles with phosphorus.

A hydroponic tower including a cavity defining a front tower surface and a rear inside surface, and further comprising a plant plug holder inserted within a cut-out defined in the front tower surface. The plant plug holder includes an edge member that encircles the holder's opening and which may be sealed to the front tower surface, and a base member configured to support a plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the cavity of the tower. The plug holder further includes a rear shroud top member and a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug, holder such that the plant plug contacts the rear inside surface of the cavity when inserted into the plug holder.

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.

This invention is related to a new substrate (6) for soilless cultivation consisting of a three-dimensional reticular structure which is elastically compressible, with empty cells bounded by threads made of polymer or any other material which are chemically inert, hydro-phobic or weakly hydrophilic. For example, the substrate which consists of a lattice made of threads in polyethylene (6) compressed into a container (4) equipped with an irrigation system (3) and with a support (2) where the plants have been inserted (5). The system is a closed cycle wherein the stored solution (1) is recirculated.