Embodiments described herein provide for multi-media structures 100 with growth enhancement additives for multiple stages of growth of an organism such as a plant, fungus or bacteria, including the production of individual media structures and multi-media structures 100 for multi-stage growth. Methods for the production of individual media structure and multi-media structures 100 with growth enhancement additives are provided. Methods for using multi-media structures 100 to grow an organism through multiple stages of growth such as root production, vegetative growth and flowering are also provided.

A growing media composition includes peat and a biosurfactant produced by only mechanical and biological processes without chemical reaction that would result in any structural alteration to the biosurfactant molecule. The biosurfactant can be a glycolipid such as a rhamnolipid.

A growing media composition includes peat and a biosurfactant produced by only mechanical and biological processes without chemical reaction that would result in any structural alteration to the biosurfactant molecule. The biosurfactant can be a glycolipid such as a rhamnolipid.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

A method for making a growing medium includes a step of combining tree bark and/or wood components together to form an initial composition; heating the initial composition to a temperature greater than about 149° C. under steam in a pressurized vessel; processing the initial composition through a refiner with a plurality of opposing disks to obtain the fibrous growing medium, the refiner separating fibers from each other; wherein the growing medium has total porosity of 88 volume % or more.

This invention relates to a horticulture additive comprising: (1) a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is a multi-branched polymer comprising at least one of an oxygen-containing and a nitrogen-containing polyfunctional base compound having at least three branches attached thereto, and (2) a humectant. The horticulture additive is advantageous for increasing plant survival of plants treated therewith when exposed to reduced watering conditions.

Systems and methods for vertical farming that reduce the deployment cost, operational costs of human labor, and overall use of energy intensive processes, such as lighting, heating and cooling, and ventilation, while increasing crop quality and yield. This reduction is achieved through a hybrid system that alternates natural light, temperature, and ventilation sources with system-controlled lighting, temperature, and ventilation means. The system includes a germination module that allows seeds to germinal on a horizontal substrate, a growth module that provides optimal growth conditions to the germinated seed on the substrate in a vertical position, and a dosing module that controls the micronutrient mixture supplied to the growing plants.

A method for producing a biodegradable floral arrangement media that includes obtaining a pre-formed mixture by mixing together: (a) a matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders; (b) a water insoluble, meltable compostable binder; and (c) optionally, additives; and heating the pre-formed mixture to fuse the binder with the matrix. Also, a biodegradable floral arrangement media made by the process, which is preferably compostable.

A method for producing a biodegradable floral arrangement media that includes obtaining a pre-formed mixture by mixing together: (a) a matrix of natural or inert inorganic fibers and/or powders; (b) a water insoluble, meltable compostable binder; and (c) optionally, additives; and heating the pre-formed mixture to fuse the binder with the matrix. Also, a biodegradable floral arrangement media made by the process, which is preferably compostable.

A growing media composition includes peat and a biosurfactant produced by only mechanical and biological processes without chemical reaction that would result in any structural alteration to the biosurfactant molecule. The biosurfactant can be a glycolipid such as a rhamnolipid.