Embodiments of the disclosure relate to soilless growth media with light reflecting and light absorbing surfaces for indoor farming and methods of using the media to germinate seeds and develop plants. In some embodiments, the soilless growth media can be a fabric made from two webs that can be joined together with a tie-in yarn linking the light reflecting plant supporting surface web yarn and the light absorbing web base yarn together in the fabric. The soilless growth media in embodiments of the disclosure can be used to reduce evaporation from nutrient delivery systems and improve controlled environmental agriculture operating efficiency.

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 1:60, 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.

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 1:60, 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.

A gel plug comprised of a gel may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the gel plug.

Disclosed are a substrate a container and a method for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, a method of producing the substrate, and use of the substrate for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs. The substrate comprises a polymer fiber based body having a porous structure, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises a sowing material receiving surface for receiving sowing material of the vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises polyethylene terephthalate, PET, fiber material.

Disclosed are a substrate a container and a method for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, a method of producing the substrate, and use of the substrate for producing consumer-ready vegetables, mushrooms or herbs. The substrate comprises a polymer fiber based body having a porous structure, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises a sowing material receiving surface for receiving sowing material of the vegetables, mushrooms or herbs, wherein the polymer fiber based body comprises polyethylene terephthalate, PET, fiber material.

Disclosed herein are devices and a system for hydroponically growing plants. A pod comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and at least one side surface, said side surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface is disclosed. The pod body comprises an indentation. A contour of the top surface of the pod body is larger than a contour of the bottom surface of the body. Additionally or alternatively to the contours geometry, the pod comprises a protective layer forming a barrier between at least part of said indentation and surrounding medium. The system for growing plants comprises the pod and a socket configured to receive the pod. A contour of the bottom surface is smaller than a contour of the socket opening and a contour of the top surface is larger than a contour of the socket opening.

A hydroponic growing system configured for growing plants from bulbs. In various embodiments including features configured for accommodating bulbs of various sizes and/or types.

A hydroponic growing system configured for growing plants from bulbs. In various embodiments including features configured for accommodating bulbs of various sizes and/or types.

The invention provides highly nutritious microgreens in a manner that is highly efficient and easy-to-use even for consumers who are unfamiliar with growing plants. The invention provides plant growing apparatus, plant growing systems including water and plants, plant growing kits, and methods of growing plants. The invention reduces the frequency of watering and produces microgreen yields with surprisingly little water.