A system, comprising: a housing comprising an elongated hollow body configured to be at least partially embedded in a soil environment adjacent a plant at a desired depth; a swellable element dimensioned to be disposed within the housing, the swellable element being configured to swell when absorbing moisture; a resiliently-compressible flexible tube configured to provide water to the soil environment, the flexible tube is laced transversely through tube openings of the housing, the flexible tube is disposed adjacent to the swellable element inside the housing such that a swelling or displacement of the swellable element compresses the flexible tube, thereby limiting or preventing water flow therethrough; and a moisture transfer adapter configured to communicate moisture along its length from a desired location within the soil environment to the swellable element, as well as methods of using the system.

The present invention relates to a growing device for growing plants from seeds, comprising a water container, a seed pad support structure for receiving one or more seed pads in a predetermined growing position above the water container and a wicking structure for each seed pad configured to contact, when the corresponding seed pad is in the growing position, the bottom surface of the seed pad at a predetermined wicking interface area and configured to transport water from the water container into the seed pad through the wicking interface area via capillary action and wherein the seed pad support structure comprises a protrusion for each seed pad, the protrusion having a predetermined shape and orientation and being configured to interact with a correspondingly shaped perforation in the corresponding seed pad thereby defining the predetermined growing position.

The present invention also relates to a corresponding seed pad and a growing system comprising a growing device and one or more seed pads.

A plant pot 1 comprises a bounding wall 2 formed by a side wall 3 and a bottom 5 and includes a gel space 7 in which swellable gel grains 9 are accommodated filling the gel space in swollen state. The plant pot further includes a substrate space 11 in which a substrate, for example, soil is accommodated. A bounding wall portion 2A, 2B bounds a part of the second space 11. Drainage openings 13 are located in the bottom 5 of this bounding wall portion 2B next to the gel space 7. The first space 7 is partly bounded by a further bounding wall portion 2D, 2E of the bounding wall 2. Aeration openings 14 are located in this further bounding wall portion. The gel grains 9 are contained in a pad which further includes a flexible separation sheet 15 which forms a root-permeable separation between the gel and soil during use.

A plant pot 1 comprises a bounding wall 2 formed by a side wall 3 and a bottom 5 and includes a gel space 7 in which swellable gel grains 9 are accommodated filling the gel space in swollen state. The plant pot further includes a substrate space 11 in which a substrate, for example, soil is accommodated. A bounding wall portion 2A, 2B bounds a part of the second space 11. Drainage openings 13 are located in the bottom 5 of this bounding wall portion 2B next to the gel space 7. The first space 7 is partly bounded by a further bounding wall portion 2D, 2E of the bounding wall 2. Aeration openings 14 are located in this further bounding wall portion. The gel grains 9 are contained in a pad which further includes a flexible separation sheet 15 which forms a root-permeable separation between the gel and soil during use.

A system (100) for producing a plant (35), the system having an indoor environment, a plurality of plant holders (1) for growing and transporting a plant therein, a controller (105) for at least controlling temperature and humidity in the indoor environment. The plant holder has a semi-permeable foil (20) defining a non-planar boundary of an interior space and an exterior space, a reservoir (2), having an amount of liquid for feeding the plant. The reservoir (2) and the semi-permeable foil (20) are arranged to allow the plant to grow in the interior space. The semi-permeable foil (20) has permeation of water vapor.

A system (100) for producing a plant (35), the system having an indoor environment, a plurality of plant holders (1) for growing and transporting a plant therein, a controller (105) for at least controlling temperature and humidity in the indoor environment. The plant holder has a semi-permeable foil (20) defining a non-planar boundary of an interior space and an exterior space, a reservoir (2), having an amount of liquid for feeding the plant. The reservoir (2) and the semi-permeable foil (20) are arranged to allow the plant to grow in the interior space. The semi-permeable foil (20) has permeation of water vapor.

A plant cultivating apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a main body, a shelf, and a cultivation container. The cultivation container has a medium formed therein and is supplied with water from the shelf. Specifically, the main body has a cultivation space of a predetermined size formed therein. The shelf is configured to supply and discharge water to and from the cultivation space. The cultivation container is placed to be supported on the shelf, and configured to receive or discharge water from or to the shelf. The cultivation container includes a water flow guide protruding downward from a bottom surface of the cultivation container and having an opening formed at the protruded lower end, and a wick accommodated inside the water flow guide and configured to absorb and hold water introduced through the opening.

A plant cultivating apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a main body, a shelf, and a cultivation container. The cultivation container has a medium formed therein and is supplied with water from the shelf. Specifically, the main body has a cultivation space of a predetermined size formed therein. The shelf is configured to supply and discharge water to and from the cultivation space. The cultivation container is placed to be supported on the shelf, and configured to receive or discharge water from or to the shelf. The cultivation container includes a water flow guide protruding downward from a bottom surface of the cultivation container and having an opening formed at the protruded lower end, and a wick accommodated inside the water flow guide and configured to absorb and hold water introduced through the opening.

A tiered, modular agriculture system includes a livestock module at ambient ground level and a second module having a second interior microclimate elevated with respect to the livestock module. The second module receives air from the livestock module by way of a noncorrodible, graduated slope, heat collection duct. Each module has an interior microclimate.

A tiered, modular agriculture system includes a livestock module at ambient ground level and a second module having a second interior microclimate elevated with respect to the livestock module. The second module receives air from the livestock module by way of a noncorrodible, graduated slope, heat collection duct. Each module has an interior microclimate.