A method for placing seeds inside a growth substrate by a seed insertion device including the steps of: arranging the seed insertion device in contact with the growth substrate such that a tip of the seed insertion device penetrates through an outer surface of the growth substrate; creating a growth pocket inside the growth substrate with the seed insertion device; supplying seeds to the growth pocket of the growth substrate via the seed insertion device; removing the seed insertion device from contact with the growth substrate; and closing the growth pocket by elastic force of the growth substrate for forming a closed growth pocket such that the seeds remain in the closed growth pocket inside the growth substrate.

A method for placing seeds inside a growth substrate by a seed insertion device including the steps of: arranging the seed insertion device in contact with the growth substrate such that a tip of the seed insertion device penetrates through an outer surface of the growth substrate; creating a growth pocket inside the growth substrate with the seed insertion device; supplying seeds to the growth pocket of the growth substrate via the seed insertion device; removing the seed insertion device from contact with the growth substrate; and closing the growth pocket by elastic force of the growth substrate for forming a closed growth pocket such that the seeds remain in the closed growth pocket inside the growth substrate.

A method of producing artificial bio-soil aggregates based on foamed concrete for plant growth that can ensure sufficient moisture and plant nutrients for the habitat of plants in non-soil conditions; obtain a lightweight, durable, and deep soil layer, and continuously provide a favorable environment for plant growth. A paste is prepared by mixing cement with an admixture, such as ochre and burnt-furnace slag; foamed concrete is formed by adding foam bubbles with an appropriate foaming rate to said paste, thereby producing soil concrete. When the foamed concrete is used, a designated compressive strength can be ensured and a number of pore spaces are formed, which allow the air to be sucked and expelled therethrough and store moisture therein. Also, hydrogel that is incorporated into the foamed concrete may supply nutrients required for plant growth, improve pest resistance, and store and supply a large amount of water.

A plant growth system and medium employs a manmade mineral fiber-based growth medium that includes from about 40% to about 99.5% man-made mineral fiber interspersed with from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight pieces of natural or synthetic open cell foam. The foam includes from about 5 to about 50 pores per square inch. Additives in the form of nutrients, fungi, and bacteria are included. Water is supplied to plants by flood and drain watering during plant growth in the medium. EC is maintained within a range of about 0.5 mS/cm to about 2.500 mS/cm and pH is maintained within a range of about 5.6 to about 5.8.

A plant growth system and medium employs a manmade mineral fiber-based growth medium that includes from about 40% to about 99.5% man-made mineral fiber interspersed with from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight pieces of natural or synthetic open cell foam. The foam includes from about 5 to about 50 pores per square inch. Additives in the form of nutrients, fungi, and bacteria are included. Water is supplied to plants by flood and drain watering during plant growth in the medium. EC is maintained within a range of about 0.5 mS/cm to about 2.500 mS/cm and pH is maintained within a range of about 5.6 to about 5.8.

The present invention is directed towards an improvement to hydroponic systems using vertical platforms to cultivate plants. A horizontal platform, and system using the horizontal platform, designed to provide for plant growth in a soilless growth medium using an ebb and flow system to cultivate plants within the horizontal platform is provided. The horizontal platform uses a floating valve system to control the amount of fluid cycled through the horizontal grow platform. The present invention further provides for a device that converts a hydroponic vertical tower to a hydroponic device using a vertical tower platform which is designed to circulate nutrients for plant growth in a soilless growth medium and a horizontal platform designed to provide for plant growth in a soilless growth medium using an ebb and flow system to cultivate plants within the horizontal platform.

Polyurethane foam flakes for use as additive to soil and/or other natural plant growth media for improving the water retention and/or reduction of the methane emission.

A porous glass plant growth support structure, including a porous glass substrate and a plurality of interconnected pores distributed throughout the substrate. The substrate is typically formed from foamed glass and/or fused glass spheres and is characterized by a porosity of at least about 80 percent. The pore size is substantially between about 0.2 and about 5 millimeters and the substrate is sufficiently chemically stable such that water filling the plurality of interconnected pores experiences a pH shift of less than 0.5.

Variable-scale, modular, easily manufacturable, energy efficient, reliable, and computer-operated farming superstructure systems (FSS) may be used to produce cannabis for human consumption with minimal water and environmental impact. A system for producing electricity, heat, and cannabis includes a power production system (PPS), a farming superstructure system (FSS), and a temperature control unit (TCU). Methods to method to separate volatiles from cannabis are described. Methods to asexually clone a plurality of cannabis plants are also provided.

A dual-media horticultural plug comprising a base having a substantially continuous bottom surface and a top surface spaced from the bottom surface, a sidewall extending from the base and forming an elongated inner cavity, a growing substrate substantially filling the elongated inner cavity, and a water-impermeable outer cover substantially covering an open top end of the elongated inner cavity. The growing substrate comprises a first growing medium having a first water holding capacity, and at least one of the base and the sidewall comprise a second growing medium having a second water holding capacity. The first water holding capacity is greater than the second water holding capacity.