In the field of hydroponic production of plants, a system is provided for line production of hydroponic systems. In addition, the hydroponic systems produced by the system for line production of hydroponic systems are also provided herein.

One variation of a method for automating transfer of plants within an agricultural facility includes: dispatching a loader to autonomously deliver a first module—defining a first array of plant slots at a first density and loaded with a first set of plants at a first growth stage—from a first grow location within an agricultural facility to a transfer station within the agricultural facility; dispatching the loader to autonomously deliver a second module—defining a second array of plant slots at a second density less than the first density and empty of plants—to the transfer station; recording a module-level optical scan of the first module; extracting a viability parameter of the first set of plants from features detected in the module-level optical scan; and if the viability parameter falls outside of a target viability range, rejecting transfer of the first set of plants from the first module.

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.

A mass indoor production of vegetation system maintains a train in a stationary position on a rail system inside an indoor enclosure during a growing period of vegetation. The train has a plurality of plant-pots interconnected by a plurality of push-pull bars. Each of the plant-pots contains at least one plant. The train of the plant-pots may be moved on the rail system in either direction by pushing or pulling the plurality of push-pull bars. The plurality of plant-pots may be pulled out of the indoor enclosure during a time of harvesting the plant.

A plant tray may include multiple plant cells. The plant cells may suspend the plants above a nutrient solution, creating an air gap between the plants and the nutrients. Roots may grow in the air gap. Walls may surround the air gap, in order to prevent or reduce air pruning of the roots. The climate of the air gap or air gaps may be controlled and modified independent of the surrounding climate. Some embodiments may use an inserted disk or plate to separate the plants or plant substrate from the air gap, while others may implement a cup or hourglass shaped cells with a chokepoint. Each disk, cup, or hourglass shaped cell may be configured such that the roots of the plant pass through to the air gap while supporting or securing the plant substrate above the air gap.

A method and a system for growing plants on multilayer principle in mobile gutter farming is described, whereby, in the process of growing plants planted in cultivation gutters, said plants are conveyed in cultivation layers present on top of each other in a cultivation space in a longitudinal direction of the cultivation space in one or opposite directions. The cultivation gutters and the plants contained therein, are treated in the cultivation space by means of a processing arrangement in a cultivation layer-specific manner, whereby the cultivation gutters and the plants contained therein are first of all conveyed by motion elements in each cultivation layer of the cultivation space in the longitudinal direction of the cultivation space in opposite directions and are treated by processing elements in each cultivation layer of the cultivation space separately, in a manner substantially independent of the other cultivation layers.

A cultivation system for cultivating plants from e.g. seeds, seedlings, cuttings, etc. arranged in or onto substrate plugs (2), comprising a cultivation pot (1) having a bottom wall (4a), a side wall (4b) and filling channel (5) extending upwards from the bottom and/or side wall (4a 4b). Further comprising a filling module (6) provided with a filling connection (7) which is configured to cooperate with the filling channel (5) of the cultivation pot (1) for supplying the cultivation pot (1) with water. The cultivation system further comprises means for measuring the actual quantity of water or the actual water level in the cultivation pot (1), allowing control of the amount of water being supplied.

A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

A sterile packaged plant delivery system includes a container having an opening, an amount of growth medium, a plant, and cover. The amount of growth medium is disposed within an interior of the container and part of the plant is disposed within the growth medium. The cover seals the interior of the container thereby maintaining the plant within a sterile growth environment. In one example, the cover is a thin film seal. A user obtains the system, punctures the film seal, removes the plant from the interior of the container, and plants the plant in a growth environment outside of the container. The system provides a low-cost technique for delivering live plants to end consumers without fungus or bacteria as in typical soil growth and without having to apply costly antimicrobial agent. This eliminates the need for watering and maintenance of any kind while the plant remains in the container.