The present invention concerns a geosynthetic element for a geotechnical engineering application. The geosynthetic element comprises: bacteria carriers for carrying bacteria arranged to be propagated from the geosynthetic element to a surrounding geomaterial; and a flow network comprising openings on its surface to allow a reactant to escape the flow network to the surrounding geomaterial along the flow network to produce solid calcium carbonate when in contact with the bacteria. The reactant flow network further comprises a set of inlets for feeding the reactant into the flow network, and a set of outlets for recovering at least a part of the reactant from the reactant flow network.

The invention involves a growing medium support apparatus comprising a frame with a plurality of legs and an aperture. The aperture receives a first grow block, and the legs anchor the apparatus to a second grow block so that the second is situated and secured below the first. In exemplary embodiments, the frame of the apparatus is configured such that a bottom surface of the first grow block and a top surface of the second grow block touch to form at least a portion of a growing medium for a plant. As one grow block is placed on top of the other, a plant growing on the first grow block can expand its roots between the grow blocks secured together with the growing medium support apparatus. In some exemplary embodiments, multiple support apparatus may be utilized to secure multiple grow blocks to form a growing medium for the plant.

A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.

A tessellated ceramic apparatus for plant growth is set forth devised to support germination and plant growth upon an exterior surface. Water moves under osmotic pressure from a water storage volume disposed in osmotic communication with the ceramic, through the ceramic to become available water at the exterior surface. A graduated cross-section regulates water flow from a water storage volume through to the exterior surface along a pressure gradient exerted by the water head. Plant growth is facilitated within a plurality of tessellated indentations disposed upon the exterior surface and growth may be restricted from areas of the exterior surface by application of gloss, glaze, sealants and/or other surface features that may blend design elements to augment and support a living design.

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.

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).

A nutrient medium for the cultivation of plants, containing (a) 3 g/l to 18 g/l agar and (b) 0.5 g/l to 3 g/l carrageenan, as well as plant plugs which contain such a nutrient medium, a method for the production of the plant plugs, and a method for the automated or semi-automated cultivation of plants using the plant plugs.

A compressed horticultural slab includes a substrate including a plurality of fibers compressed in a volume ratio of initial to compressed fiber of 1:4 to 1:20, the plurality of fibers having a shape of the slab, a first set of dimensions when the substrate has a moisture content of up to about 20 to 25 wt. % and a second set of dimensions when the moisture content increases above about 20 to 25 wt. %, based on the total weight of the substrate, the second set of dimensions having greater values than the first set of dimensions.