AUTOMATED PLANT GROWTH FLOW USING GEL GROWTH MEDIUM

Abstract

An automated system for plant growth may include a reactor to make a hydrogel solution. A hopper with a processor controlled valve or valves may deliver components to make the hydrogel solution in the reactor. The hydrogel solution may be poured into a tray to create a hydrogel mat or a hydrogel plug. A conveyor may move the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug to a nursery on a path in which the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug is seeded and is dibbled or scratched. The nursery may include a first position for a seed to germinate in the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug, and a second position for a plant to grow to a harvest state in the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug. The nursery may include a plurality of LED lights suitable for growth of a plant from the germinated seed.

Claims

1. An automated system for plant growth comprising: a reactor, the reactor having a mixing element and a heating element, the reactor receiving a plurality of components to make a hydrogel solution; a processor, wherein the processor controls at least one hopper and at least one valve to deliver the plurality of components to make the hydrogel solution in the reactor, and wherein the hydrogel solution is poured into a tray to create a hydrogel mat or a hydrogel plug; at least one conveyor to move the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug to a nursery on a path, wherein on the path, the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug is seeded and is dibbled or scratched; the nursery further comprising a first position for a seed to germinate in the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug, and a second position for a plant to grow to a harvest state in the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug, the nursery further comprising a plurality of LED lights suitable for germination and growth.

2. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel mat is in a vertical position during germination and in a horizontal orientation for growth of the plant.

3. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the tray has an expanding mechanism to accommodate the plant's growth.

4. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components to make the hydrogel solution are in a dissolvable bag, the dissolvable bag placed in the reactor with water to make the hydrogel mat or the hydrogel plug.

5. The automated system of claim 1, wherein the hydrogel plug is dibbled before a seed is placed in the indention therein.

6. The automated system of claim 1, wherein movement from the first position to the second position is automated.

7. An automated process for plant germination and growth comprising: making a horticultural hydrogel in a reactor, the horticultural hydrogel further comprising: charged water, carrageenan, carbon, fertilizer and a pH balancing element, wherein the horticultural hydrogel is stirred and heated to 85° C.; pouring the horticultural hydrogel into a receptacle and cooling the horticultural hydrogel to below 70° C., placing an indention in the horticultural hydrogel with a dibbler; placing a seed in the indention making a seeded horticultural hydrogel; placing the seeded horticultural hydrogel under conditions for germination in a first grow station; the seed growing to an early growth stage plant, and moving the seeded horticultural hydrogel to a second grow station; and the early growth stage plant growing to a harvest stage in said second grow station.

8. The automated process of claim 7, wherein movement from the first grow station to the second grow station is automatic.

9. The automated process of claim 7, wherein at least one processor is used to dispense the charged water, carrageenan, carbon, fertilizer and a pH balancing element to make the horticultural hydrogel.

10. The automated process of claim 7, wherein at least one conveyer is used to transport the seeded horticultural hydrogel from the first grow station to the second grow station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG. 1. is a flow diagram of the ingredients of a particular formulation placed in a reactor and the liquid hydrogel being placed with in a receptacle for cooling before a dibbler places an indentation, as in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a first growth position comprising a leaf carrier for receiving trays of the horticultural hydrogels having a seed for germination as in some embodiments of the invention.

[0050] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a grow trolley for receiving trays of the horticultural hydrogels having seeds for germination and early growth as in an embodiment of the invention.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a picture of a horticultural hydrogel plug with a germinated plant contained therein as in some preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0052] FIG. 5 is an illustration demonstrating the placement of the horticultural hydrogels on a grow wall as in some embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 6 depicts the process of the present invention wherein the horticultural hydrogels are made, formed, and processed to become a mat or grow wall with a sheet of hydrogel, as in some embodiments of the invention.

[0054] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a dissolvable bag containing wet and dry ingredients of the horticultural hydrogel, as in some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Unless otherwise defined, all terms of art, notations and other scientific terms or terminology used herein are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In some cases, terms with commonly understood meanings are defined herein for clarity and/or for ready reference, and the inclusion of such definitions herein should not necessarily be construed to represent a substantial difference over what is generally understood in the art. Many of the techniques and procedures described or referenced herein are well understood and commonly employed using conventional methodology by those skilled in the art.

[0056] The singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “a cell” includes one or more cells, including mixtures thereof.

[0057] “Ambient temperature” as used herein is a temperature of between 18-24° C. and a relative humidity of between 60-95%.

[0058] As used herein, “biofertilizers” are microbial fertilizers that supply the plant with nutrients and thereby can promote plant growth in the absence of chemical fertilizers. Non-limiting examples of microbial isolates that can directly promote plant growth and/yield include N2-fixing bacteria Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium species that, through symbiotic nitrogen fixation, can form nodules on roots of leguminous plants, in which they convert atmospheric N2 into ammonia which, in contrast to atmospheric N2, can be used by the plant as a nitrogen source. Other examples include Azospirillum species, which are free-living N2-fixers that can fertilize and increase yield of cereal crops such as wheat, sorghum, and maize. Despite Azospirillum's N2-fixing capacity, the yield increase caused by inoculation by Azospirillum is often attributed to increased root development and thus to increased rates of water and mineral uptake. In this respect, several rhizobacteria like Azotobacter spp. have been reported to be capable of producing a wide array of phytohormones (e.g., auxins, cytokinins) and enzymes (e.g., pectinase). Many of these phytohormones and enzymes have been shown to be intimately involved in the infection process of symbiotic bacteria-plant associations which have a regulatory influence on nodulation by Rhizobium. Biofertilizers can also affect the plant growth and development by modifying nutrient uptake. They may alter nutrient uptake rates, for example, by direct effects on roots, by effects on the environment which in turn modify root behavior, and by competing directly for nutrients (Gaskin et al., Agricult. Ecosyst. Environ. 12: 99-116, 1985). Some factors by which Biofertilizers may play a role in modifying the nutrient use efficiency in soils include, for example, root geometry, nutrient solubility, nutrient availability by producing plant congenial ion form, partitioning of the nutrients in plant and utilization efficiency. For example, a low level of soluble phosphate can limit the growth of plants. Some plant growth-promoting microbes are capable of solubilizing phosphate from either organic or inorganic bound phosphates, thereby facilitating plant growth. Several enzymes of microbial origin, such as nonspecific phosphatases, phytases, phosphonatases, and C-P lyases, release soluble phosphorus from organic compounds in soil. For example, an increased solubilization of inorganic phosphorus in soil has been found to enhance phosphorus uptake in canola seedling using Pseudomonas putida as well as increased sulfur-oxidation and sulfur uptake (Grayston and Germida, Can. J. Microbiol. 37: 521-529, 1991; Banerjee, Phytochemicals and Health, vol. 15, May 18, 1995).

[0059] “Biostimulants”, as used herein, can produce substances that stimulate the growth of plants in the absence of pathogens. For example, the production of plant hormones is a characteristic of many plant-associated microorganisms. Some microorganisms can also produce secondary metabolites that affect phytohormone production in plants. Probably, the best-known example is hormone auxin, which can promote root growth. Other examples include pseudomonads which have been reported to produce indole acetic acid (IAA) and to enhance the amounts of IAA in plants, thus having a profound impact on plant biomass production (Brown, Annual Rev. Phytopathology, 68: 181-197, 1974). For example, Tien et al. (Applied Environmental Microbiol., 37:1016-1024, 1979) reported that inoculation of nutrient solutions around roots of pearl millet with Azospirillum brasiliense resulted in increased shoot and root weight, an increased number of lateral roots, and all lateral roots were densely covered with root hairs. Plants supplied with combinations of IAA, gibberellins and kinetin showed an increase in the production of lateral roots similar to that caused by Azospirilla. Additionally, some rhizobacteria, such as strains of the bacterial species B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, and Enterobacter cloacae, promote plant growth by releasing volatile organic compounds, VOCs. The highest level of growth promotion has been observed with 2,3-butanediol and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (also referred to as acetoin) as elicitors of induced systemic resistance. The cofactor PQQ has been described as a plant growth promoter, which acts as an antioxidant in plants. Other examples of biostimulants, as contemplated by the present invention, include products listed at https: growerssecret.com. Particularly, Grower's Secret Professional, Seaweed Powder 0-0-16, Soluble Corn Steep Powder 7-6-4, Granule's 8-3-1, Nitrogen 16-0-0, Liquid Nitrogen 8-0-0, Grower's Secret Microbes, Phosphorous 0-9-0, Seaweed Powder 0-0-16, or VitalVit Micronutrients. Other biostimulants include silica, amino acids, or agriculturally relevant enzymes.

[0060] “Carbon” as used in the present invention includes charcoal. Carbon may be commercially sourced such as through General Carbon, Fisher Scientific and VWR.

[0061] “Carrageenan” is an anionic polymer, a sulfated linear polysaccharide. Carrageenans have been classified into three different types, namely, κ-carrageenan, τ-carrageenan, and λ-carrageenan on the basis of the degree of sulfation. Carrageenan, as is contemplated in the present invention, refers to kappa carrageenan, which as the highest hydro-gel forming efficiency. The source may be purchased commercially such as Ricogel, Marcel, W-Hydrocolloids or CP Kelco. Carrageenan can also be purified from red algae as is known by those skilled in the art.

[0062] “Fertilizer” as used in the present invention provides nutrients such as phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, boron, copper, manganese, zinc, molybdenum, chlorine, cobalt, or nickel whether synthetic or organic. Suitable fertilizers may be commercially sourced, such as Miracle-Gro water soluble plant food vegetable and herbs, Clonex, Dyna-Gro, M&S (Murashige and Skoog) or FloraMicro. As used herein “fertilizer”, which generally are classified according to their NPK content. NPK is common terminology used in the fertilizer industry and stands for: (1)N—the amount of nitrogen in the formulation as N; (2) P—the amount of phosphorus in the formulation as P2O5; and (3) K—the amount of potassium in the formulation as K2O In other words, the N refers to nitrogen-containing compounds that are added to the soil and are utilized by the particular plant to satisfy its nitrogen requirement. The P refers to phosphorus-containing compounds that are added to the soil and are utilized by the particular plant to satisfy its phosphorus requirement (a nutrient required for plant growth). K refers to potassium-containing compounds that are added to the soil and are utilized by the particular plant to satisfy its potassium requirement (another nutrient essential for plant growth). Besides these nutrients, namely nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are normally provided by the addition of fertilizers that typically are known as NPK fertilizers, other nutrients can also be provided by the addition of fertilizers to the soil Typical nutrients are calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, copper, boron, and molybdenum. The term “fertilizer” as used herein, unless expressly indicated otherwise, refers to NPK fertilizers, that is, fertilizers that include one or more of the nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium).

[0063] “Cohesiveness” defines the cohesive properties of a polymer find direct expression in its solubility in organic liquids. The cohesive properties of a substance are expressed quantitatively in the cohesive energy. This quantity is closely related to the internal pressure, a parameter appearing in the equation of state of the substance.

[0064] “Dissolvable bag” as referred to in the present invention means a solid container that will convert into a suspension, colloid, or solution in the presence of a liquid.

[0065] “Hardness” is the resistance of a material to permanent indentation or maximum force of the gel Hardness can be measured in g/cm2.

[0066] A “hydrogel” is a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer that does not dissolve in water. They are highly absorbent yet maintain well defined structures.

[0067] “Plant” or “plant part” includes all parts of the plant, including: root, stem, meristem, seed, leaf, cotyledons, and the like.

[0068] “Plant plugs” (commonly referred to as in vitro plugs) as used herein are generally relatively small shaped bodies composed of a growth medium that serve for the cultivation and propagation of plants in a very early developmental stage. Plant plugs generally have a consistency which allows a manual or machine transfer of the plugs into other cultivation vessels or transport or processing units. Owing to their small size and transferability, plant plugs can be suitable for medium- and high-throughput methods in plant cultivation and can also be used for the space-saving transport of plants in an early developmental stage.

[0069] “Polysaccharide” as used herein, means a carbohydrate (e.g. starch, cellulose, or glycogen) whose molecules consist of a number of sugar molecules bonded together. Polysaccharides include gellan.

[0070] As used herein “soil” means either man-made or naturally occurring unconsolidated mineral or organic material on the immediate surface of the Earth that serves as a natural medium for the growth of land plants. Soil used for indoor growing is generally sterilized and devoid of added living biologic material.

[0071] “Springiness” is s the rate at which a deformed material goes back to its undeformed condition after deforming force is removed. It is a measurement of elastic recovery and has a unit of percent (%).

[0072] “Water” includes purified, distilled and reverse osmosis (RO) water, which may be charged as in some preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0073] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0074] No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art.

[0075] The discussion of the general methods given herein is intended for illustrative purposes only Other alternative methods and embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the an upon review of this disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 1 is a process diagram for providing a gel-based seeded substrate or plug, generally ready for germination. A gelling formulation is provided to one or more reactors 113. The reactors may include a stirring element 113a for mixing components of the gelling formulation, and a heating element 113c for bringing the components to a desired temperature. In some embodiments a single reactor is used, in some embodiments multiple reactors are used, with various of the components of the gelling formulation provided to various of the reactors, with solutions in those reactors then provided to an ultimate reactor.

[0077] The gelling formulation includes a plurality of components, which may be provided by valved nozzles or hoppers 111a-n. In some embodiments the gelling formulation includes one or more polysaccharides as gelling agents, and a liquid or liquid solution.

[0078] The one or more polysaccharides may comprise, for example, an exopolysaccharide, carrageenan, a gellan gum, Gelrite (available from RPI Research Products International, IL), and/or chitosan. In some embodiments of the invention a hydrogel comprising water, carrageenan, carbon, and an acid to adjust pH has a hardness of between 100-1000 g/cm2, a cohesiveness of between 55-90%, and a springiness of 100%. More preferably, the hydrogels have a hardness of between 350-800 g/cm, a cohesiveness of 65-80%, and a springiness of 100%. In some embodiments the hydrogels have an electroconductivity measurement of between 3.0-5.0 mS/cm. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention the horticultural hydrogels have an electroconductivity measurement of between 3.5-4.9 mS/cm.

[0079] In some embodiments the fertigation solution is slightly acidic, and/or includes trace amounts of one, some, or all of Sodium Nitrate or other nitrogen source, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, boron, calcium, and/or magnesium. In some embodiments the solution has a conductivity between 1.0 and 1.4, inclusive, milliSiemens per centimeter. In some embodiments the solution includes added calcium and/or magnesium cations so as to have seed conductivity. In some embodiments the solution includes calcium and/or magnesium cations to provide divalent ions to bind to carboxylic acids of the Gelrite. In some embodiments the solution includes activated charcoal. In some embodiments fertigation solution is formed through the addition of various elements or ingredients of the fertigation solution to water, with the various elements or ingredients (and water) provided by way of the valved nozzles and/or hoppers. In some embodiments composition of the gel components and fertigation solution are determined by one or more processors. In some embodiments particular plants are associated with particular compositions of the gel components and fertigation solution, and the one or more processors may control operations of the valved nozzles and/or hoppers based on an identification of a plant received by the one or more processors.

[0080] In some embodiments a first solution is formed by dissolving 40-g of Gelrite (RPI Research Products International, IL) in 4-L of cold fertigation water. In some embodiments the fertigation water contains 850 ppm nitrate, 148 ppm calcium 259 ppm potassium, 39 ppm magnesium, 224 ppm sulfate, 0.11 ppm copper, 2.12 ppm zinc, 0.4 ppm manganese, 3.33 ppm iron, 0.31 ppm boron, and 0.05 ppm molybdenum.) The solution is stirred (for example at 400-500 rpm) until the Gelrite is completely dissolved/hydrated in the solution (<30-min). Preferably the pH is 5.6 and the EC is 1.4 milliSiemens per centimeter. A second solution may be formed by adding 35-mg of Chitosan (300-mg of Chitosan in some embodiments) to 200-mL of fertigation solution with stirring, and then adding 50-mL of Ethanol to the solution, adding 0.05-mL of HNO3, and heating the second solution to 90° C. Preferably the chitosan polymer has completely dissolved into the second solution. The second solution may be added to the first solution, and stirred for 30 or more minutes. In some embodiments small 200-mg aliquots of Ca(OH)2 may be added into the resulting solution until a pH of 6-7 is achieved. In some embodiments 5.6 g of Calcium Chloride, or, preferably, 7-g of Tetra Cor-Clear (available from Tetra Chemicals, TX) may also be added, with the solution mixed, for example for 15 minutes. In some embodiments 50-g of fine activated charcoal may also be added to the solution, and in some embodiments phytohormones may also be added.

[0081] The gelling solution, formed in the reactor(s), is poured into a tray 115. The tray may allow the gelling solution, once cooled, to form a growing substrate. Alternatively, the tray may have a plurality of cavities, for example formed by interior walls 115a of the tray, to allow the gelling solution, once cooled, to form gel plugs.

[0082] A conveyor (not shown in FIG. 2) transports the tray, once the gelling solution has cooled and thereby gelled, to a dibbler machine 117, which includes a dibbler tool 117a. The conveyor may be in the form of a conveyor belt, an automated cart, or other conveyance device. The dibbler dibbles an uppermost surface of the substrate or plugs, to allow for emplacement of seeds in the substrate or plugs. The conveyor and the dibbler machine may both be under the control of the one or more processors, which may for example control positioning and depth of operation of the dibbler tool.

[0083] The conveyor, or a further conveyor, may transport the dibbled substrate or plugs, still in the tray in some embodiments, to an optional roughener device 119. The roughener device includes a roughening, scratching, or abraiding tool 119a for roughening, scratching, or abraiding the upper surface of the substrate or plugs. The tool 119a may, for example, be in the form of wires or a wire mesh, which may be rotated either in the horizontal or vertical plane. The further conveyor and the roughener, like the other items of FIG. 1, may be under the control of the one or more processors, which may for example control horizontal and vertical position and rate of rotation of the tool 119a.

[0084] The conveyor, or a further conveyor, may also transport the dibbled substrate or plugs to an optional sanitizer device 121. The sanitizer device may be in the form of an ultraviolet (UV) lamp 121a, for example. In various embodiments the sanitizer device may be in the form of a sanitization spray device or sanitization submersion device. The sanitizer device may also be under control of the one or more processors, which for example may turn on the UV lamp for predetermined periods when the processor is informed of presence of the substrate or plugs under the UV lamp.

[0085] The conveyor, or a further conveyor, also transports the substrate or plugs to a seeding machine 123. The seeding machine emplaces seeds in the substrate or plugs, using a seeding tool 123a. The seeding machine generally emplaces the seeds in the dibbles in the upper surface of the substrate or plugs. The seeding machine may be under the control of the one or more processors, which for example may control positioning of the seeding tool based on information of relative locations of dibble locations, provided either both to the dibbler machine and the seeding machine or from the dibbler machine to the seeding machine.

[0086] FIG. 2 is a process diagram for transfer of gel-based substrates or plugs to a leaf carrier for germination. In FIG. 2, a conveyor (not shown in FIG. 2) transports a tray with seeded plugs (or just seeded plugs, in some embodiments, or a seeded substrate, to a shelf 211a in a leaf rack 211. The leaf rack may be located in a nursery, for example a climate controlled room, or the leaf rack may be subsequently moved to the nursery. The tray with seeded plugs (or just seeded plugs) or seeded substrate may be as discussed with respect to FIG. 1, and the operation represented by FIG. 2 may follow in response to the seeding of the plugs or substrate discussed with respect to FIG. 1.

[0087] FIG. 3 is a process diagram for transfer of gel-based substrates or plugs to an LED grow trolley for germination. A conveyor (not shown in FIG. 3) transports a tray with seeded plugs (or just seeded plugs, in some embodiments, or a seeded substrate, to a shelf 311a in the LED grow trolley 311. An underside of the shelf may include LED lights 311b. The LED grow trolley may be located in a nursery, for example a climate controlled room, or the leaf rack may be subsequently moved to the nursery. The tray with seeded plugs (or just seeded plugs) or seeded substrate may be as discussed with respect to FIG. 1, and the operation represented by FIG. 3 may follow in response to the seeding of the plugs or substrate discussed with respect to FIG. 1.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a seedling 413 growing in an example of a gel plug 411. The seedling is growing out of a dibble formed in a top surface of the gel plug. The gel plug of FIG. 4 may be formed, for example, as discussed with respect to FIG. 1. The gel plug has a same shape as that of a volume of the cavity of the plant tray. In FIG. 4, the shape of the plug includes sidewalls defining a substantially square cross-section with rounded corners, tapered slightly towards a bottom of the plug.

[0089] FIG. 5 is a process diagram for transfer of gel plugs 519 in a bracket 517 to a grow wall 521. The bracket, for example, may include a lengthwise beam that spans a top of a tray 515, such as the tray of FIG. 1 or a similar tray, with the beam including apertures 525 for holding seeded gel plugs. A robotic arm may transport the bracket, for example by grasping an arm extending at an end of the bracket, to a grow wall. The grow wall, in some embodiments, may be an aeroponics grow wall. The aeroponics grow wall may include a frame and walls forming a housing enclosing a volume in which mist or fog may be provided. The wall may include apertures to receive the seeded gel plugs (with the dibbles exterior to the volume of the grow wall).

[0090] FIG. 6 shows a process flow diagram for automated preparation of a mesh or mat grow wall. As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, valved nozzles and/or hoppers 611a-n under the control of one or more processors provides gelling formulation to one or more reactors 113. The reactors may include a stirring element for mixing components of the gelling formulation, and a heating element for bringing the components to a desired temperature, all for forming a gelling solution. The gelling solution may be as discussed with respect to FIG. 1.

[0091] The gelling solution is provided to a gelling solution applicator 615. The gelling solution applicator 615 is arranged over a conveyor belt, which carries a substrate 615a such as a screen mesh or a mat. In some embodiments the substrate is first passed under seeding machines(s) 617a,b, and then passed under the gelling solution applicator. The gelling solution applicator may have nozzles or sprayer heads for spraying gelling material, in solution, onto the substrate carried by the conveyor belt. The gelling material applicator may be configured to spray a predetermined quantity of solution over a predetermined quantity of time. This, along with speed of the conveyor belt, also allows for application of a generally predetermined thickness of gel over the substrate. In some embodiments, in addition, heating elements may be provided right before or with nozzles of the gelling material applicator, to assist in ensuring that the gelling material does not gel prior to application to the substrate.

[0092] The seeded substrate may be conveyed, for example by a robotic arm under control of the one or more processors, to a frame 619 for a grow wall. In some embodiments the grow wall may allow for emplacement of multiple seeded substrates, for example substrates 621a,b and 623a,b, which may form opposing walls of an aeroponics grow chamber.

[0093] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a dissolvable bag containing wet and dry ingredients of the horticultural hydrogel. The dissolvable bag 701 may be placed in a reactor and water may be added to make the horticultural hydrogels, after which are formed into plugs, sheets, or other shapes for plant germination and growth. In some embodiments the dissolvable bag has dissolvable walls 703 that may be dissolved with contact with water, specifically charged water.

[0094] In preferred embodiments, a dissolvable bag having wet and dry ingredients for a preferred horticultural hydrogel formulation is received by a user. The user places the dissolvable bag in a reactor that receives charged water. The mixture of the dissolvable bag, having the ingredients of horticultural hydrogel inside, and water is stirred and heated in the reactor and the resultant liquid hydrogel is poured into a preferred receptacle (e.g., plug, sheet, container), and cooled. The cooled horticultural hydrogel is indented with a dibbler to receive a seed and placed in a first growth position. The seeds placed within the indent germinate and grow to an early growth stage. At the early growth stage, the plants within the receptacle are moved to a second growth position. There the plants grow until harvest.

[0095] Although the invention has been discussed with respect to various embodiments, it should be recognized that the invention comprises the novel and non-obvious claims supported by this disclosure.