A seeding apparatus for seeding agricultural seeds, seedlings and/or clones into a manufactured growth media of an indoor hydroponic growth system. The seeding apparatus including a media strip supply line configured to supply a quantity of consumable media strip for positioning within a linear aperture of a manufactured growth media, a depth gauge configured to fold the consumable media strip into a first part and a second part with a fold positioned therebetween, and to force the fold towards a bottom of the linear aperture of the manufactured growth media with the first part and the second part of the consumable media strip residing against walls defined by the linear aperture, and a seed supply line configured to introduce a metered quantity of agricultural seeds, seedlings and/or clones into the folded, consumable media strip.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a degradable seed pod arranged to be delivered from a vehicle to a ground surface, the pod comprising a seed encased in a hardened material, the hardened material being composed and manufactured in a manner that shields the seed from damage when the pod experiences an impact force.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a degradable seed pod arranged to be delivered from a vehicle to a ground surface, the pod comprising a seed encased in a hardened material, the hardened material being composed and manufactured in a manner that shields the seed from damage when the pod experiences an impact force.

A flexible layered fabric sheet comprising a porous front layer and a pre-seeded substrate layer, where the seeds are in-between the two layers (rather than at the back of the substrate layer), for supporting root growth, the two layers together having an upper and lower edge and being attached together with one or more non-continuous seams between the upper and lower edges, which seams have a component of direction parallel to the upper and/or lower edge, and wherein the non-continuous seams enable water to exit the layered fabric sheet at its lower edge, and the non-continuous seams further serve to slow water flow through the water sheet. The seams also serve to keep the two layers from separating which would hamper the penetration of the sapling through the front porous layer, and thus stunt growth.

A planting structure includes a water filtering bag, a plurality of hanging ears mounted on an outer face of the water filtering bag, and a plurality of planting sources placed in the water filtering bag. The water filtering bag is made of permeable material with a permeation effect. The water filtering bag has an interior provided with a receiving space. The planting sources are received in the receiving space of the water filtering bag. Thus, the planting structure is directly hung on a cup by the hanging ears, so that the user plants and takes out the planting sources at any time according to the practical requirement.

A stencil device for forming configurations in deformable material includes a first member having ridge portions integrally joined to channel portions that promote the insertion of the ridge portions of the first member into deformable material; and a second member having ridge portions integrally joined to protrusion portions that promote the insertion of the ridge portions of the second member into deformable material; whereby, the first and second members ultimately form a design pattern across a preselected surface of deformable material by alternating the insertion and removal of said first and second members across the preselected surface of the deformable material.

A stencil device for forming configurations in deformable material includes a first member having ridge portions integrally joined to channel portions that promote the insertion of the ridge portions of the first member into deformable material; and a second member having ridge portions integrally joined to protrusion portions that promote the insertion of the ridge portions of the second member into deformable material; whereby, the first and second members ultimately form a design pattern across a preselected surface of deformable material by alternating the insertion and removal of said first and second members across the preselected surface of the deformable material.

A method and apparatus for cultivating vegetation at an inhospitable location includes rooting immature vegetation in a mat combined with a super absorbent polymer (“SAP”) and, in embodiments, fertilizer, sand, and/or soil; providing a water reservoir below grade at the inhospitable location; placing the mat at the inhospitable location over the water reservoir; extending at least one wick from the mat to the water reservoir; and covering the mat with a perforated, transparent or semi-transparent cover. The wick can be infused with nutrients and/or fertilizer. Hollow tubes can extend downward from the mat to enable excess water to flow into the reservoir. The hollow tubes can surround the wicks. The transparent cover can be placed on or suspended above the mat. SAP, seeds, and/or fertilizer can be placed between mats in a stack. A water distribution system can be included for supplying additional water to the water reservoir.

The invention provides a process for the preparation of a seed support that comprises a biodegradable polymer film having a plurality of seeds at least partially embedded therein, the process comprising the steps of (a) providing a hydrophobic release liner (18); (b) applying a coating of an aqueous dispersion or solution comprising a biodegradable polymer on the hydrophobic release liner (18), wherein the dispersion or solution has a viscosity of from 2000 to 16000 mPa.Math.s and a water content of from 58% to 90% by weight of the coating; (c) depositing a plurality of seeds onto the coating so that the seeds become at least partially embedded in the coating; (d) drying the coating to give a final water content of 1.5% to 15% by weight and thereby form the biodegradable polymer film; and (e) detaching the hydrophobic release liner from the biodegradable polymer film to give the seed support.

Some aspects of the disclosure relate to composite materials and cultivation systems with particular utility for use in aquaculture, for example cultivating various species of seaweed. The systems comprise at least one highly tortuous and often micro-fibrous material and at least one material having low tortuosity. These systems may be configured in a variety of shapes and associated with a number of different structures. Some of these composite materials and cultivation systems may be used in both direct and indirect seeding of macroalgae plants such as seaweed.