A modular hydroponic tower array fixture system for the growth of organisms such as plants and fungi on arrays of hydroponic towers, allowing for the insertion and removal of individual towers from the array, is provided. Methods for the production of organisms such as plants and fungi using a modular hydroponic tower array fixture system are also provided herein.

Sensor stations for horticulture and other plant cultivation which include a base housing and a vertically-oriented sensor configured to measure properties of a plant substrate material. Some sensor stations have a set of finger portions or support arms to orient and retain the substrate material relative to the sensor station. Sensors are more reliably and consistently positioned within plant substrates when using the sensor stations. The sensor stations also have features improving resistance to damage or interference from fluids and debris. The sensor station is electrically connectable to a network and other sensor stations to more efficiently and securely transfer measurement data and instructions.

A mineral wool batt for use as a plant growth medium, particularly in applications for growing vegetation (including plants) in which water retention and/or the avoidance of water run-off is of interest. The mineral wool batt has an absorbent layer which comprises needled mineral wool fibres; superabsorbent particles in the absorbent layer may be sandwiched between a denser upper and/or lower barrier layer(s) which assist in preventing their escape.

The present invention concerns a Portland cement-free porous rigid mineral substrate made of alkali-activated pozzolans, a method for preparing the same, and use of said substrate to optimize plant germination and growth.

A hydroponic growing medium (39) comprising a three-dimensional self-supporting substrate (39) having a dry bulk density of about 1.8 lb/ft.sup.3 (28.83 kg/m.sup.3) to 10 lb/ft.sup.3 (160.185 kg/m.sup.3) and including at least about 2 to 10 weight % of a man-made fiber portion (24) and at least about 90 to 98 weight % of a natural fiber portion (22) having wood fiber, based on the total weight of the hydroponic growing medium (39).

A hydroponic growing medium (39) comprising a three-dimensional self-supporting substrate (39) having a dry bulk density of about 1.8 lb/ft.sup.3 (28.83 kg/m.sup.3) to 10 lb/ft.sup.3 (160.185 kg/m.sup.3) and including at least about 2 to 10 weight % of a man-made fiber portion (24) and at least about 90 to 98 weight % of a natural fiber portion (22) having wood fiber, based on the total weight of the hydroponic growing medium (39).

Methods to produce a spray dried cannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or active tetrahydrocannabinol powder are described and include spray drying a liquid mixture followed by a two-step separation process including cyclones, filters, or an electrostatic precipitator, the liquid mixture includes treated water, and alcohol or an oil, and the powder has a particle size ranging from between 5 nanometers to 750 microns. The liquid mixture may be spray dried into a powder using a rotary atomizer, a spray nozzle, or a plurality of spray nozzles within a counter-current spray dryer or a co-current spray dryer and then sifted.

Methods to produce a spray-dried active tetrahydrocannabinol powder and/or cannabidiol powder are described. The methods include introducing a heated gas and a liquid mixture of water and active tetrahydrocannabinol and/or cannabidiol into a spray dryer and then separating powder from the spray-dryer in a two-step separation process. Counter-current spray dryers and co-current spray dryers are described followed by separation of the powders with a cyclone, filter, electrostatic precipitator, or sifter.

A coherent growth substrate product formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured binder composition and a wetting agent is described, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises the following components: a component (i) in the form of one or more compounds selected from compounds of the formula (I), and any salts thereof: in which R1 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; compounds of the formula (II), and any salts thereof: in which R2 corresponds to H, alkyl, monohydroxyalkyl, dihydroxyalkyl, polyhydroxyalkyl, alkylene, alkoxy, amine; a component (ii) in the form of one or more compounds selected from the group of ammonia, amines or any salts thereof; a component (iii) in the form of one or more carbohydrates. Use of said coherent growth substrate product for growing plants and propagating seeds is also disclosed. In addition, a process for making said coherent growth substrate product is disclosed.

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A plant growing assembly comprises a pod with an upper surface and a rigid open-mouthed vessel, these components being matable. The pod is of one piece and carries a growing medium and seeds.