A gardening appliance includes a liner positioned within a cabinet and defining a grow chamber, a grow tower rotatably mounted within the liner and defining a root chamber, a primary water supply system for selectively providing freshwater into the root chamber, and an auxiliary water supply system comprising a wastewater tank for storing wastewater and selectively providing the wastewater into the root chamber. A controller is configured to determine that a hydration cycle needs to be performed to hydrate the one or more plant pods, determine that a freshwater supply limitation exists (e.g., an empty water supply tank or a full wastewater tank), and operate the auxiliary water supply system to provide the wastewater from the wastewater tank into the root chamber in response to determining that the freshwater supply limitation exists when the hydration cycle is needed.

A hydroponic tray for agricultural use. More particularly, the hydroponic tray allows control on fluid flowing there through. The tray includes an inlet end for the ingress of fluid and an outlet end for the egress of fluid, a trough extending continuously between the inlet end and the outlet end along which, in use, the fluid flows, and at least one fluid regulator device extending transversely across the trough, wherein each fluid regulator device comprises a sluice panel adapted to allow a predetermined rate of fluid flow there through and a control panel moveable relative to the sluice panel to vary the rate of fluid flow through the fluid regulator.

A vertical hydroponics system is provided. The flow rate or pressure of the solution passing through the system is uniform throughout the system to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The diameters of the various components of the system's water supply plumbing are such so as to reduce or prevent clogging and/or leaking. The vertical hydroponics system includes at least one body, at least one pot coupled to a front surface of the at least one body for supporting one or more plants, and a water source fluidly connected to each body for delivering water uniformly to each pot. Each body is configured to direct water away from the front surface of the body to reduce or prevent leaking. Accordingly, flow rates or pressures not typically associated with vertical hydroponics systems may be used to deliver water to the pot(s).

This invention is a hydroponic appliance that allows users to grow sufficient yields of fresh produce with relatively little maintenance. The appliance incorporates multiple features required for hydroponic plant cultivation into a plug-and-play system with a feedback loop to manage optimal growing conditions, comprising a growing area, a processor, a mixing chamber, and, in embodiments, more than one reservoir. In aspects, the grow area is divided between two or more reservoirs allowing users to stratify their crops or plant different crop types simultaneously. The apparatus and associated method provide the overall system with increased versatility, including removing aspects of day-to-day maintenance. The system automatically regulates the environment in response to various sensor readings. This includes automatically regulating the temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide level, pH level, and/or nutrient concentration. Accordingly, the plants have more optimum conditions for growth. The system utilizes, for example, pre-seeded trays, a single mixing chamber, a processor, and a plurality of reservoirs.

A hydroponic growing system having multiple growing units, wherein each growing unit includes a container for a plant. The growing units are linked through a water recirculation system. The water recirculation system includes a sprayer located on an upper, inner portion of the growing unit above a water level. Water is sprayed downward onto the water surface and plants creating increased levels of oxygen for optimal growth. Each growing unit is connected to a water return channel that directs water to a water pump to circulate water throughout the system via a pressurized manifold system. Sprayers are connected to the manifold for introducing water into the growing unit. The system delivers limitless oxygen to roots and can produce healthy plants with fewer nutrients than conventional systems. The system provides increased oxygen levels such that plant life can thrive, even in less than optimal conditions.

A hydroponic system is provided. The system includes a grow assembly. The grow assembly includes a body including at least one aperture, and a porous layer. The system may include a support to support the grow assembly. The system includes a fluid table that may be disposed underneath the body. The system includes a fluid reservoir that may be disposed underneath the fluid table. The system may include a fluid pump in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The system includes a fluid riser in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir and the fluid table. A method for utilising a hydroponic system is also provided.

An irrigation system for a vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. An irrigation line having apertures at the select positions provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers, while a gutter structure captures excess solution. In a closed loop system, the excess solution returns to a recirculation tank.

A system and method for cultivating plants is described. The system may include a tower structure having a vertical series of vessels for holding a netted pot or other container. The system may have a pressurized irrigation system that is in fluid communication with each vessel. The system may further include lamps to provide an adequate light source. The system may also include sensors, monitors and controls to establish and maintain environmental conditions suitable for proper plant growth. The system may further be implemented as a scalable system in which multiple tower structures may be installed into a scaffold system. Sets of towers may be slidably affixed to a scaffold such that the towers may be slid along a track thereby creating easy access to the plants, vessels, lights and the irrigation system. The system may be expanded to include multiple scaffolds affixed to a skeletal frame or compartment interior.

A soilless plant growing system is described. The system includes a receptacle for retaining airborne water droplets, fog or mist, a plant supporting tray positioned within or upon the receptacle, a water reservoir, and a water droplet, fog or water mist generator that directs such to plants in the tray. The water reservoir includes provisions to automatically supply water to the generator. The receptacle may include water recirculating provisions to direct condensed water droplets, fog or mist to the generator.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices related to the study of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base, a substrate, and an enclosure. The substrate is in contact with a first surface of the base. The substrate and the base define a root chamber. The enclosure is in contact with a second surface of the base. The base and the enclosure define a growth chamber. The base defines a stem port connecting the root chamber and the growth chamber. The base further defines a first port in fluid communication with the root chamber and a second port in fluid communication with the root chamber. The device is operable to contain a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, a stem of the plant passing through the stem port, and leaves of the plant being in the growth chamber.