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.

This invention includes a coherent growth substrate product formed of mineral wool, the product having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and a seed hole extending from the top surface towards the bottom surface, the base of the seed hole defining a seed bed, wherein the volume of the growth substrate product is not more than 150 cm.sup.3, and wherein the seed bed has a width of at least 5 mm.

This invention includes a coherent growth substrate product formed of mineral wool, the product having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and a seed hole extending from the top surface towards the bottom surface, the base of the seed hole defining a seed bed, wherein the volume of the growth substrate product is not more than 150 cm.sup.3, and wherein the seed bed has a width of at least 5 mm.

Abstract: Resilient plant development media are disclosed that can include a first layer that includes a plurality of adjacent strands, a second layer that includes a plurality of strands that are adjacent and that is in stacked relation relative to the first layer, wherein the strands of the first layer and the strands of the second layer are in a non-aligned orientation relative to each other. The strands in the first layer and the strands in the second layer may define a crisscross pattern. The multilayer resilient media is effective in supporting seeds during germination and plants throughout their growth and development. The multilayer resilient media is effective for use in various plant growing modalities, e.g., aeroponic, nutrient film, and hydroponic plant growing environments, and may be easily cleaned for reuse.

Resilient plant development media are disclosed that can include a first layer that includes a plurality of adjacent strands, a second layer that includes a plurality of strands that are adjacent and that is in stacked relation relative to the first layer, wherein the strands of the first layer and the strands of the second layer are in a non-aligned orientation relative to each other. The strands in the first layer and the strands in the second layer may define a crisscross pattern. The multilayer resilient media is effective in supporting seeds during germination and plants throughout their growth and development. The multilayer resilient media is effective for use in various plant growing modalities, e.g., aeroponic, nutrient film, and hydroponic plant growing environments, ratooning processes, and may be easily cleaned for reuse.

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.

A method of growing plants in a coherent growth substrate product is provided and includes: providing at least one coherent growth substrate product comprising man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with a cured aqueous binder composition; positioning one or more seeds, seedlings, cuttings or plants in contact with the growth substrate product; and irrigating the growth substrate product. The aqueous binder composition prior to curing includes a component (i) in the form of one or more oxidized lignins, a component (ii) in the form of one or more cross-linkers, and a component (iii) in the form of one or more plasticizers.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating preparing plants for regrowing the plants using nutrient film technique, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the apparatus a conveyor, a harvesting device, a debris removing device, a microbiological control device, and a plant additive device. Further, the conveyor moves a plant through areas. Further, the harvesting device cuts a portion of the plant moved through a first area of the areas based on the moving. Further, the debris removing device removes debris attached to the plant moved through a second area of the areas after the cutting. Further, the microbiological control device removes harmful microorganism from the plant moved through a third area of the areas after the cleaning. Further, the plant additive device adds a plant health additive to the plant moved through a fourth area of the areas after the removing.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for facilitating preparing plants for regrowing the plants using nutrient film technique, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the apparatus a conveyor, a harvesting device, a debris removing device, a microbiological control device, and a plant additive device. Further, the conveyor moves a plant through areas. Further, the harvesting device cuts a portion of the plant moved through a first area of the areas based on the moving. Further, the debris removing device removes debris attached to the plant moved through a second area of the areas after the cutting. Further, the microbiological control device removes harmful microorganism from the plant moved through a third area of the areas after the cleaning. Further, the plant additive device adds a plant health additive to the plant moved through a fourth area of the areas after the removing.