CN112020301B - Vertical hydroponic culture system and vertical hydroponic culture method - Google Patents
Vertical hydroponic culture system and vertical hydroponic culture method Download PDFInfo
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- CN112020301B CN112020301B CN201980022028.6A CN201980022028A CN112020301B CN 112020301 B CN112020301 B CN 112020301B CN 201980022028 A CN201980022028 A CN 201980022028A CN 112020301 B CN112020301 B CN 112020301B
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G24/00—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor
- A01G24/40—Growth substrates; Culture media; Apparatus or methods therefor characterised by their structure
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
- A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P60/00—Technologies relating to agriculture, livestock or agroalimentary industries
- Y02P60/20—Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions in agriculture, e.g. CO2
- Y02P60/21—Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
Abstract
A vertical hydroponic system and a vertical hydroponic method are provided, which can prevent root rot of cultivated plants and efficiently cultivate the plants by supplying a small amount of culture medium. The vertical hydroponic system is provided with a vertical hydroponic cylinder (101) which is hung on the ceiling of a house or is vertically arranged on the ground; a culture medium (102) which is contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder (101) in a pluggable manner; a culture medium supply means (104) for supplying a culture medium (107) from a culture medium storage tank (103) to a culture medium (102), wherein the culture medium supply means is provided with one or more vertical slits (111) or a plurality of openings for implanting seedlings or seeds of a plant in at least one direction, the culture medium (102) is composed of a water-retentive sheet (121) and air-permeable raw materials (122, 123) sandwiching both surfaces thereof, and the culture medium supply means is provided with means for reliably collecting the culture medium (107) in the water-retentive sheet (121) even when a culture medium supply device having a variation in drop position is used.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a vertical hydroponic system and a vertical hydroponic method.
Background
Conventionally, as a vertical hydroponic system, there is known a vertical hydroponic system described in patent documents 1 and 2.
The vertical hydroponic system of patent document 1 includes a plurality of hollow hydroponic towers (vertical hydroponic cylinders) and an irrigation unit (culture medium supply unit) for supplying a culture medium to the culture medium material in the hollow hydroponic towers.
The hollow hydroponic tower has a square cross section and has a groove (a vertical slit or an opening) on one side for planting the seedling of the plant.
In addition, a culture medium material selected from granular culture media, styrofoam, polyurethane foam, plastic mesh, rock wool, coconut fiber, a moisture absorbing band (wrapping strip), a culture bag, and vermiculite is inserted into the hollow hydroponic tower (see patent document 1).
The vertical hydroponic system of patent document 2 has a structure in which a hollow pipe filled with a culture medium such as a nonwoven fabric is erected in a reservoir filled with a culture medium by providing a plurality of planting holes in which plants are planted on a side surface, and air is ejected from a lower end portion of a liquid delivery pipe provided in the hollow pipe to supply the culture medium to which the plants are planted (see patent document 2).
In addition, a vertical hydroponic system disclosed in patent document 3 is known as a vertical hydroponic system.
The vertical hydroponic system disclosed in patent document 3 is a vertical hydroponic system including a plurality of vertical hydroponic cylinders suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on a floor surface, a culture medium accommodated in the vertical hydroponic cylinders so as to be able to be pulled out and inserted, a culture medium supply means for supplying a culture medium from a culture medium accommodating tank to the culture medium, and a culture medium recovery means for collecting the culture medium dropped from a lower portion of the vertical hydroponic cylinders and recovering the culture medium from the culture medium accommodating tank, wherein the vertical hydroponic cylinders are provided on one side surface thereof with vertical slits for planting seedlings of plants, and the culture medium is configured by a water-retaining sheet and an air-permeable material sandwiching both surfaces thereof.
That is, in the vertical hydroponics system of patent document 3, as described above, the culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponics cylinder so as to be able to be pulled out and inserted is constituted by the water-retentive sheet into which the seedling of the plant is planted and the air-permeable material sandwiching both surfaces thereof, and the culture medium is dropped to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet to reliably supply moisture to the roots of the seedling of the plant sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material, so that the plant does not wither even if a large amount of the culture medium is not dropped onto the culture medium by a high-output pump.
Further, since oxygen is reliably supplied to the roots of the seedlings of the plants sandwiched between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material, the roots of the cultivated plants can be prevented from rotting.
Further, by sharing the functions of the two-part structure of the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material as the medium, it is possible to widely use a material which is excellent in air permeability and inexpensive although the water retentivity is low, a material which is easy to supply, a material which is excellent in water retentivity and inexpensive although the air permeability is low, and a material which is easy to supply, and this has an effect of expanding the range of material choices.
Prior art documents
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese Kokai publication Hei-2017-538405
Patent document 2: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 11-46606
Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-113927
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the invention
However, as in the vertical hydroponic culture systems of patent documents 1 and 2, in a state where one type of culture medium is contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder, since water and air compete for the empty walls in the culture medium, the ratio of the gas phase is low due to the amount of the culture medium, root rot occurs, and successful culture is not easy, and only a culture medium with a good balance between the water phase and the gas phase is used.
That is, if the water retentivity of the culture medium is high and the air permeability is low (the ratio of the gas phase in the culture medium is too low), root rot occurs, whereas if the air permeability is high and the water retentivity is low (the ratio of the liquid phase in the culture medium is too low), a large amount of culture medium needs to be supplied in order to prevent seedling withering, and the capacity of a pump for supplying or circulating the culture medium increases, which causes a problem of high facility cost and high running cost.
On the other hand, if the water retentivity is high and the aeration property is low (the ratio of liquid phase in the medium is too high), root rot occurs. Alternatively, in order to avoid the shortage of air, a complicated apparatus as in patent document 2 is required, which causes problems such as high facility cost and inconvenience in handling. Further, even if a medium (for example, rockwool) having a well-balanced aqueous phase and gas phase is selected, the weight of the entire cultivation cylinder becomes heavy due to the water content of the medium filled in the cultivation cylinder, which causes a problem of poor workability.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponics system of patent document 3, since the culture medium composed of the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material sandwiched between both surfaces thereof is contained in the vertical hydroponics cylinder so as to be insertable and removable, there is a problem described below.
That is, in the vertical hydroponic system of the conventional example, although it is necessary to perform an operation of introducing a culture medium in a state in which a seedling or a seed of a plant is sandwiched between a water-retaining sheet and an air-permeable material into a vertical hydroponic cylinder, in this case, particularly in the case of a plant in which an underground part of a seedling is large, a large force is required.
In addition, when the overground part of the seedling of the plant is dense to the vicinity of the sandwiched part, the plant may be rubbed by the edge of the slit at the time of introduction, and in order to avoid this, it is necessary to take time to carefully perform the operation of introduction or to vacate a plurality of persons to share the operation of performing the operation of protecting the overground part and introducing the culture medium.
Similarly, in the case of a vertical hydroponic tank in which cultivation of the set plants is completed, a large force is required to pull out the culture medium sandwiched between the underground parts of the plants that are growing large during cultivation.
Further, when the vertical hydroponic culture tank is cleaned for repeated use, it is difficult to clean the tank because of the narrow slit-like gap portion, and it is also difficult to check whether or not the tank can be thoroughly cleaned.
As described above, the conventional techniques have various problems in workability.
Further, if the hook-hooking portion is repeatedly used for insertion and removal to be hooked by a hook or the like, the hook may be stretched or crushed, which may cause a problem in durability.
The invention provides a vertical hydroponic system and a vertical hydroponic method which can prevent roots of cultivated plants from rotting and can effectively cultivate the plants or cultivate the plants with high yield by supplying a small amount of culture solution.
Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a vertical hydroponic system and a vertical hydroponic method which can easily perform a series of operations from a preparation operation for cultivation such as planting of seedlings or seeds of plants to a cultivation period and a removal operation of an outer frame after the completion of cultivation and a cleaning operation of the outer frame after the removal with a small amount of labor, have good durability, can be used for a long period of time, and can be implemented without a high cost.
Means for solving the problems
In order to solve the above problems, the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically installed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tube has one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or has a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant in at least two directions at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes at least one slit that is long in the longitudinal direction and is used for planting a seedling or seed of a plant in one direction at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material, or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction,
is configured to drip the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet,
the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is in contact with the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
is configured to drip the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet,
the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
The vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
is configured to drip the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet,
the water-retentive sheet has a thickness of 2mm or more.
The vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tube has one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or has a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant in at least two directions at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic system of the present invention includes a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically provided on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tube includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction and that are used to plant seedlings or seeds of plants at least in two directions at positions including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be provided with a fixing unit fixed such that the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the lower opening of the culture liquid drop of the culture liquid supply unit may come into contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the culture liquid drop inlet of the culture liquid supply unit may be interposed between the water-retaining sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the water-retentive sheet may have a thickness of 2mm or more.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the upper end of the water-retentive sheet may protrude from the upper surface of the two air-permeable materials.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air-permeable material may be bent and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the bent water-retentive sheet may be formed in an inclined shape such that the thickness thereof increases as it goes to the tip and the upper surface thereof increases as it goes to the outside with the water-retentive sheet as the center.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention may include an inclined member having an inclined upper surface that becomes higher as going outward around the water-retentive sheet, at least on the upper surface of the air-permeable material on the bent water-retentive sheet side.
In the vertical hydroponics system of the present invention, the air-permeable material on the bent water-retentive sheet side may have an inclined upper surface that increases outward around the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be configured such that:
comprises a culture solution collecting module for collecting the culture solution dripped from the lower part of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder and collecting the culture solution to a culture solution accommodating box,
the culture medium collection module includes a drain pan for collecting the culture medium dropped from the lower portion of the vertical hydroponic culture tube, and is configured to circulate the culture medium collected in the drain pan to the culture medium storage box.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be configured such that:
the culture medium supply means is provided with flow rate adjustment means for adjusting the amount of the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet, and is configured to drip the culture medium from the flow rate adjustment means to the water-retentive sheet,
the lower end of the water-retaining sheet is provided with a water content sensor.
Further, the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention may be configured such that: the flow rate adjusting means is composed of an electric valve and culture solution supply amount control means for automatically controlling the electric valve by a signal from the water content sensor to control the water retaining amount of the lower end portion of the water retaining sheet.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, the flow rate adjusting unit may be a manual valve.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be provided with a warm heater in a state of being in contact with the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating tank to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of the plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet,
the culture medium supply device is provided with a fixing means which is fixed such that a culture medium drop outlet of the culture medium supply means is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating tank to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of the plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet,
the culture liquid drop outlet of the culture liquid supply unit is brought into contact with the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating tank to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of the plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet,
the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating tank to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tank includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in at least one direction,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of the plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet,
the water-retentive sheet has a thickness of 2mm or more.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention comprises a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically installed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tube has one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or has a plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant in at least two directions at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention comprises a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically installed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture tube includes one or more slits that are long in the longitudinal direction and that are used to plant seedlings or seeds of plants at least in two directions at positions including a boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may include a fixing unit fixed such that the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the lower opening of the culture liquid drop of the culture liquid supply unit may be brought into contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic culture method of the present invention, the culture liquid drop inlet of the culture liquid supply unit may be sandwiched between the water-retaining sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
In the vertical hydroponics method of the present invention, the water-retentive sheet may have a thickness of 2mm or more.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the upper end of the water-retentive sheet may protrude from the upper surface of the two air-permeable materials.
Further, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be such that:
the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air-permeable material is bent and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit onto the water-retentive sheet placed in a bent state.
In the vertical hydroponics method of the present invention, the bent water-retentive sheet may be formed in an inclined shape in which the thickness of the bent water-retentive sheet increases as it goes to the tip and the upper surface thereof increases as it goes to the outside around the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponics method of the present invention may include an inclined member having an inclined upper surface that increases outward from the water-retentive sheet as a center, at least on the upper surface of the air-permeable material on the bent water-retentive sheet side.
In the vertical hydroponics method of the present invention, the upper surface of the air-permeable material on the bent water-retentive sheet side may be formed in an inclined shape that increases as going outward around the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be as follows:
comprises a culture solution collecting module for collecting the culture solution dripped from the lower part of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder and collecting the culture solution to a culture solution accommodating box,
the culture medium collection module includes a drain pan for collecting the culture medium dropped from the lower portion of the vertical hydroponic culture tube, and is configured to circulate the culture medium collected in the drain pan to the culture medium storage box.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be as follows:
the culture medium supply means is provided with flow rate adjustment means for adjusting the amount of the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet, and is configured to drip the culture medium from the flow rate adjustment means to the water-retentive sheet,
the lower end of the water-retaining sheet is provided with a water content sensor.
Further, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be such that: the flow rate adjusting means is composed of an electric valve and culture solution supply amount control means for automatically controlling the electric valve by a signal from the water content sensor to control the water retaining amount of the lower end portion of the water retaining sheet.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the flow rate adjusting means may be constituted by a manual valve.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be provided with a warm heater in contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vertical hydroponic system including a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply means for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material are provided in the vicinity of one edge of the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium is sandwiched from both sides of the breathable material, and the connection means detachably connects the two frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are approximately コ -shaped or approximately semicircular shapes which partially surround the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention is characterized by comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, the pair of split-type outer frames are provided with one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material in the vicinity of both side edges of the water-retentive sheet, and sandwich the culture medium from both sides of the breathable material, the connection unit detachably connects the two outer frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are approximately コ -shaped or approximately semicircular shapes which partially surround the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention may have a ceiling portion that covers at least a part of the upper end surfaces of the two frames.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, the ceiling portion may be formed as a slope inclined downward toward the opposite sides of the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic system according to the present invention, a gap between the two outer frames for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant may be formed in a state of being elongated and continuous in the vertical direction.
In the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, a plurality of gaps may be formed at regular intervals in the vertical direction in order to plant seedlings or seeds of plants between the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, the connecting means may have a structure in which the two frames are detachably engaged with each other.
In the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, the connecting means may be a binding tape for winding up at least one portion of the outer peripheries of the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic system of the present invention, the connecting means may be a heat-melting tape that wraps at least one portion of the outer peripheries of the two outer frames.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be provided with a fixing unit fixed such that the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the lower opening of the culture liquid drop of the culture liquid supply unit may come into contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the culture liquid drop inlet of the culture liquid supply unit may be interposed between the water-retaining sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may include a guide member having a culture medium supply opening at a lower end portion thereof, the guide member guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the upper end opening of the vertically long columnar body formed by the two coupled outer frames and the culture medium to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the guide member may be a funnel-shaped cap having a culture medium supply opening portion at a lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the upper end opening portions of the two outer frames to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponic system according to the present invention, the cap may include a light shielding wall that shields the upper end side of the culture medium housed in the two frames in a state where at least a part of the side surface portion not surrounded by the two frames is closed.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the upper end of the water-retentive sheet may protrude from the upper surface of the two air-permeable materials.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air-permeable material may be bent and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be configured such that:
the culture medium supply means is provided with flow rate adjustment means for adjusting the amount of the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet, and is configured to drip the culture medium from the flow rate adjustment means to the water-retentive sheet,
the lower end of the water-retaining sheet is provided with a water content sensor.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention may be provided with a warm heater in a state of being in contact with the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply means for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material are provided in the vicinity of one edge of the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium is sandwiched from both sides of the breathable material, and the connection means detachably connects the two frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are formed into an approximate コ shape or an approximate semicircle shape which partially surrounds the periphery of each air permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
The vertical hydroponic method of the present invention is characterized by comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, the pair of split-type outer frames are provided with one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material in the vicinity of both side edges of the water-retentive sheet, and sandwich the culture medium from both sides of the breathable material, the connection unit detachably connects the two outer frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are formed into an approximate コ shape or an approximate semicircle shape which partially surrounds the periphery of each air permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may have a ceiling portion that covers at least a part of the upper end surfaces of the two frames.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the top plate portion may be formed as a slope inclined downward toward the opposite sides of the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, a gap between the two outer frames for planting seedlings or seeds of a plant may be formed in a longitudinally elongated and continuous state.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, a plurality of gaps may be formed at regular intervals in the vertical direction in order to plant seedlings or seeds of plants between the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the connecting means may have a structure in which the two outer frames are detachably engaged with each other.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the connecting means may be a binding tape for tightly winding at least one portion of the outer peripheries of the two frames.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the connecting means may be a heat-fusible tape that is wound around at least one portion of the outer peripheries of the two outer frames.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may include a fixing unit fixed such that the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the lower opening of the culture liquid drop of the culture liquid supply unit may come into contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the culture liquid drop inlet of the culture liquid supply unit may be interposed between the water-retaining sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may include a guide member having a culture medium supply opening at a lower end portion thereof, the guide member guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the upper end opening of the vertically long columnar body formed by the two coupled outer frames and the culture medium to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the guide member may be a funnel-shaped cap having a culture medium supply opening portion at a lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the upper end opening portions of the two outer frames to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponic method according to the present invention, the cap may include a light shielding wall for shielding the upper end side of the culture medium housed in the two frames in a state where at least a part of the side surface portion not surrounded by the two frames is closed.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the upper end of the water-retentive sheet may protrude from the upper surface of the two air-permeable materials.
Further, in the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air-permeable material may be bent and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be as follows:
the culture medium supply means is provided with flow rate adjustment means for adjusting the amount of the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet, and is configured to drip the culture medium from the flow rate adjustment means to the water-retentive sheet,
the lower end of the water-retaining sheet is provided with a water content sensor.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention may be provided with a warm heater in contact with the water-retentive sheet.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the cuttings of the plants may be planted between the water-retaining sheet and the water-permeable material.
In the vertical hydroponic method of the present invention, the plants with roots stretched over the water-retaining sheet may be planted between the two air-permeable materials in a state of being attached to the water-retaining sheet.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, as described above, the culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder so as to be able to be pulled out and inserted is composed of the water-retentive sheet material into which the seedlings or seeds of the plant are planted and the air-permeable material sandwiched between both surfaces of the sheet material.
The seedlings or seeds of the plants are sandwiched between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material, and inserted into the vertical hydroponics culture cylinder so that the boundary portion between the sandwiched water-retaining sheet and air-permeable material is contained in the slit portion, and the plants are arranged so as to grow from the slit portion to the above-ground portion outside the vertical hydroponics culture cylinder. Alternatively, seedlings or seeds of plants are planted between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material from the slit in a culture medium comprising the water-retaining sheet inserted into the vertical hydroponics culture cylinder in advance and the air-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the water-retaining sheet. Further, by dropping the culture solution to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet, water and oxygen can be reliably supplied to the roots of the seedlings of the plants sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material, so that withering and root rot of the cultivated plants can be prevented.
Further, by providing the slit having a long length in the longitudinal direction or the plurality of openings in the longitudinal direction for inserting the seedling or seed of the plant into the position including the boundary portion between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material, the position of the slit having a long length in the longitudinal direction or the plurality of openings, which is the optimum plant spacing, can be freely selected, and the seedling or seed of the plant can be inserted between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material.
Further, the two-part structure of the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material as the medium is functionally divided, and thus, it can be widely used as a material having excellent air permeability and low cost although the water retentivity is low, a material which is easy to supply, a material having excellent water retentivity and low cost although the air permeability is low, and a material which is easy to supply.
Further, by selecting a material which is light in weight and is hard to be crushed, the performance such as ease of use can be improved.
In addition, by providing the vertical hydroponic growth tubes with one or more vertical slits or openings for planting the seedlings or seeds of the plants in at least two directions, the number of plants that can be grown in each vertical hydroponic growth tube and the yield of the plants can be greatly increased.
Further, by providing the fixing means fixed such that the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply means is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet, the culture liquid can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet without leaking out in the direction of the air-permeable material.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, by bringing the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit into contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet, the culture liquid can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet without leaking in the direction of the air-permeable material.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, by sandwiching the culture liquid drop lower port of the culture liquid supply unit between the water-retentive sheet and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials, the culture liquid can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, by setting the thickness of the water-retentive sheet to 2mm or more, the culture medium can be more reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, since the upper end of the water-retentive sheet protrudes from the upper surfaces of the two air-permeable materials, the distance from the dropping port can be reduced, and thus the culture medium can be more reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, since the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air-permeable material is bent and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials, the culture medium can be efficiently collected on the water-retentive sheet without losing part of the culture medium to the air-permeable material side, as compared with the case of simply sandwiching the water-retentive sheet between the air-permeable materials, and therefore, even if a large culture medium supply device having a deviation in the drop position of the culture medium is used, the drop position of the culture medium is slightly shifted to the left and right, and even if a small amount of culture medium is supplied, the plant can be reliably cultivated.
Further, since the bent water-retentive sheet is formed in an inclined shape in which the thickness thereof increases as it goes toward the tip and the upper surface thereof becomes higher as it goes outward around the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium dropped onto the bent water-retentive sheet can be prevented from splashing to the outside, and the time for staying on the upper surface is shorter than that in the case where there is no inclination, leakage of the culture medium dropped onto the water-retentive sheet in the direction of the air-permeable material and evaporation in the upper surface can be suppressed, and the culture medium can be used effectively and flexibly.
Further, by providing the inclined member having the inclined upper surface which becomes higher as going outward with the water-retentive sheet as the center at least on the upper surface of the air-permeable material on the water-retentive sheet side which is bent, the upper surface of the water-retentive sheet which is bent becomes the inclined surface, and it is possible to prevent the culture medium dropped on the inclined surface from splashing to the outside and prevent the culture medium dropped on the water-retentive sheet from leaking or evaporating into the air-permeable material, thereby enabling more efficient and flexible use of the culture medium.
Further, since the upper surface of the air-permeable material on the bent water-retentive sheet side is formed in an inclined shape such that the height increases as going outward around the water-retentive sheet, and the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet is formed as an inclined surface, it is possible to prevent the culture medium dropped on the inclined surface from splashing to the outside, and to prevent the culture medium dropped on the water-retentive sheet from leaking or evaporating into the air-permeable material, thereby enabling more efficient and flexible use of the culture medium.
Further, by providing a culture solution collection unit for collecting the culture solution dripped from the lower part of the vertical hydroponic culture tube and collecting the culture solution to the culture solution storage tank, the culture solution collection unit is provided with a drain pan for collecting the culture solution dripped from the lower part of the vertical hydroponic culture tube, and is configured to circulate the culture solution collected in the drain pan to the culture solution storage tank, the culture solution can be used efficiently and flexibly, and the cost for the culture solution can be reduced. In addition, the environmental load caused by the disposal of the culture medium is also small.
Further, by providing the culture medium supply unit with a flow rate adjustment unit for adjusting the supply amount of the culture medium to the water-retentive sheet, and by providing the culture medium supply unit with a flow rate adjustment unit for dropping the culture medium from the flow rate adjustment unit to the water-retentive sheet, the water content of the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet can be adjusted so as not to exceed the saturation level by providing the water content sensor at the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet, and the culture medium collection and circulation device, the receiving tray, and the like can be omitted. Alternatively, a system in which only a very small amount of culture medium exceeding the saturation amount is circulated may be employed.
Further, by providing the electric valve and the culture medium supply amount control means as the flow rate adjusting means, the electric valve can be automatically controlled to automatically adjust the culture medium amount to an appropriate amount.
Thus, the culture medium amount can be automatically adjusted without delay even in the case of a sudden weather or a change in air temperature, including a remote operation from outside the cultivation house.
Further, by using a manual valve as the flow rate adjusting means, the amount of culture solution can be adjusted to an appropriate amount manually without particularly increasing the cost of equipment.
Further, by providing the warm heater in the state of being in contact with the water-retentive sheet, the temperature around the thin roots of the plant in contact with the water-retentive sheet can be maintained at an appropriate temperature even in winter, whereby the development of the thin roots can be promoted, the absorption rate of the culture solution can be greatly improved, and the effect of improving the yield can be obtained.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of the present invention, as described above, the pair of divided frames are formed as the frames in the vicinity of one side edge of the water-retaining sheet so that one or more gaps for inserting the seedlings or seeds of the plants between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material are opened, and the two frames are detachably connected to each other by the connecting means, so that the vertical hydroponic culture system can easily perform the preparation work such as planting the seedlings or seeds of the plants and the cleaning work of the frames after harvesting the plants, which have conventionally been extremely troublesome and require time and labor.
Further, the outer frame is divided, so that the volume of the cultivation tube can be made about half of that of the conventional product during transportation, and the space for storage as a stock can be reduced.
In addition, the vertical hydroponic system of the type of plug-and-pull culture medium described in patent document 3 has a drawback that if the system is repeatedly used for pulling with a hook or the like at the time of planting and removing seedlings, the portion of the hook which is folded and hooked deteriorates, the culture medium is broken, and the durability is poor.
In contrast, when the outer periphery of the culture medium is surrounded by the split-type outer frame as in the present application, the culture medium does not need to be inserted and removed, and therefore, the culture medium does not break, and as a result, the durability of the entire cultivation apparatus is improved.
In addition, since it is not necessary to fold the medium in half in an insertable manner, that is, since it is not necessary to secure the thickness of the folded portion for extraction, the entire length of the gap can be used for plant implantation at the longest.
Thus, more seedlings can be planted in 1 cultivation tube having the same length as compared with the conventional pull-and-insert type (outer tube-integrated type).
In addition, since the insertion and extraction are not required, it is not necessary to make the gap shape continuous in the longitudinal direction, and the gap shape may be closed in advance in addition to the minimum gap for planting. This can suppress the light from being irradiated to the stem root and the underground part of the plant growing on the culture medium, and can suppress the evaporation of water from the culture medium.
Further, by providing one or more gaps for inserting plant seedlings or seeds between the water-retaining sheet and the air-permeable material in the vicinity of both side edge portions of the water-retaining sheet, the number of plant seedlings that can be planted can be doubled at most, as compared with the case of inserting the plant seedlings or seeds only in one side surface, and the yield of the plant can be greatly increased.
Further, by providing the top plate portion covering the upper end surfaces of the two outer frames, the area of the open portion of the upper end opening can be greatly reduced, and the intrusion of dust (including spores of mold) into the two outer frames can be suppressed. In addition, since the invasion of light into the medium can be suppressed, the production of mold and algae in the medium can be suppressed.
Further, the top plate is formed as a slope inclined downward toward the opposite sides of the two outer frames, whereby the dropped culture medium can be intensively supplied to the water-retentive sheet.
Further, by forming gaps for planting seedlings or seeds of plants in a longitudinally elongated and continuous state, the intervals of the plants can be flexibly adjusted in accordance with the size of the planted plants.
On the other hand, when a plurality of gaps are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction, seedlings can be planted at the intervals to be planted swiftly even by a person who is not skilled in the work.
Further, by providing the guide member having the culture medium supply opening portion at the lower end portion for guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium can be reliably guided to the water-retentive sheet without leaking in the direction of the air-permeable material.
Thus, even when a culture medium supply apparatus having a large variation in the drop position of the culture medium is used, the drop position of the culture medium is slightly shifted to the left and right, and the risk of drying up the plant due to a small amount of the culture medium reaching the plant can be reduced.
Even when the drop port of the culture droplet dropping unit is located at a position away from the culture medium upward so as to be easily visible to the eyes, the liquid can be reliably collected on the water-retaining sheet, and therefore, the presence or absence of clogging of the culture medium can be easily confirmed.
Thus, visual inspection is also easy, and remote monitoring is also possible by interlocking the monitoring cameras.
Further, the burden on the operator can be reduced.
Further, by providing the funnel-shaped cap having the culture medium supply opening at the lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium dropped from the culture medium supply means to the upper end opening to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet, the area of the open portion of the upper end openings of the outer cylinders can be greatly reduced, and the intrusion of dust (including spores of mold) into the outer cylinders can be suppressed.
In addition, when the cultivated plants grow higher than the upper ends of the outer cylinders, leaves and stems enter the inside of the cultivation cylinder at the time of harvesting or the like without covering the cap, and thus, they become a breeding source of insects such as spider mites or decay.
Further, by covering the cap, invasion of the leaves and stems can be suppressed, and by removing only the cap, the leaves and stems can be easily cleaned, and the risk of insect damage can be reduced by a simple method.
In addition, since the invasion of light into the medium can be suppressed, the production of mold and algae in the medium can be suppressed.
Even if the plants are of a type that does not cause plant diseases, the algae will flourish on the surface of the water-retentive sheet when the plants are cultivated for a long period of time, and as a result, the appearance impression is deteriorated, the surface of the water-retentive sheet becomes hydrophobic, and the water retaining ability is gradually lowered.
Thus, a part of the dropped culture solution is lost to the air-permeable material side, and the supply of the culture solution to the plant is gradually insufficient.
In contrast, the funnel-shaped cap as described above allows efficient cultivation of plants with a minimum required amount of culture medium dropped, without increasing special operations such as cleaning for removing algae and spreading chemicals, even when the plants are continuously cultivated for a long period of time.
Further, by providing the light shielding wall for shielding the upper end side in a state where at least a part of the side surface portion surrounded by the split-type outer frame is not closed, adhesion of dust (including spores of mold) to the surface of the water-retentive sheet can be further suppressed and irradiation of light to the surface of the water-retentive sheet can be suppressed, as compared with the case of covering only the upper surface, and thereby generation of mold and algae in the culture medium can be suppressed.
Further, by adopting a method of sandwiching cuttings instead of plants with roots, in addition to a method of arranging plants on a water-retaining cloth placed on an air-permeable material on the ground, a table, or the like and then bundling the plants in a state of sandwiching the other air-permeable material therebetween, which is performed when transplanting ordinary plants with roots, a method of assembling a columnar body surrounded by members sandwiching the water-retaining sheet between the air-permeable materials with a split-type outer frame in advance in a plant-free manner and inserting the columnar body between the air-permeable material and the water-retaining sheet is also easily performed, and can be easily performed without taking time even when a planting work is performed by one person.
Further, when the cuttings are cut from the surrounding plants to be cultivated for harvesting, the cultivated plants can be increased during the period of growing without growing space, which also contributes to reduction in the number of operations.
Further, by using a method of performing permanent planting using a breathable material with both sides of a plant in a state of being adhered to a water-retaining sheet interposed therebetween, even when transplanting is performed in a state in which the plant height is slightly high and in a state in which an underground part develops to some extent, the permanent planting work can be easily performed.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is an overall explanatory view showing a vertical hydroponic system according to example 1.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view of a main part of a medium according to example 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 2.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 3.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 4.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 5.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 6.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to example 7.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 8.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing a tilting member of example 8.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 9.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of example 10.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of example 11.
FIG. 16 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 12.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the vertical hydroponic growth tube of example 1 of example 13.
FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vertical hydroponic apparatus of example 1 shown in example 13.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing the vertical hydroponic conduit of example 2 of example 13.
FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vertical hydroponic apparatus of example 2 shown in example 13.
Fig. 21 is a perspective view showing a breathable material of example 2 of example 13.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of example 14.
Fig. 23 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 22.
FIG. 24 is an enlarged front view of a main part of a medium in example 14.
Fig. 25 is a perspective view showing the outer frame.
FIG. 26 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to example 14.
FIG. 27 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 15.
FIG. 28 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 16.
FIG. 29 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 17.
FIG. 30 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 18.
FIG. 31 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 19.
FIG. 32 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 20.
FIG. 33 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view showing a main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 21.
Fig. 34 is a perspective view showing a tilting member of example 21.
FIG. 35 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 22.
FIG. 36 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of embodiment 23.
FIG. 37 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of embodiment 24.
FIG. 38 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 25.
Fig. 39 is a perspective view showing an outer frame of example 26.
FIG. 40 is a perspective view showing an outer frame in example 27.
Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing an outer frame of example 28.
FIG. 42 is an enlarged front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 29.
FIG. 43 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vertical hydroponic culture system of embodiment 30.
FIG. 44 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vertical hydroponic culture system of embodiment 31.
FIG. 45 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of embodiment 32.
FIG. 46 is an enlarged perspective view of the essential part of example 32.
FIG. 47 is an explanatory view showing the entire vertical hydroponic system of example 33.
FIG. 48 is an enlarged vertical sectional front view of the main part of the vertical hydroponic culture system according to embodiment 33.
FIG. 49 is an enlarged plan view showing a cap of example 33.
Fig. 50 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 49.
Fig. 51 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 49.
FIG. 52 is an enlarged plan view showing a cap of example 34.
Fig. 53 is a sectional view taken along line D-D of fig. 52.
FIG. 54 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a cap of example 35.
Detailed Description
Preferred mode for carrying out the invention
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
Example 1
First, the vertical hydroponic system according to embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.
The vertical hydroponic system of embodiment 1 mainly includes, as shown in fig. 1 to 4, a vertical hydroponic cylinder 101, a culture medium 102, a culture medium storage box 103, a culture medium supply unit 104, a culture medium collection unit 105, seedlings or seeds 106 of plants, and a culture medium 107.
More specifically, the vertical hydroponics cylinder 101 is a cylinder having a square cross section in example 1, and has one or more longitudinally long slits 111 on one side thereof for planting the seedlings or seeds 106 of the plant at a position including a boundary portion between a water-retentive sheet 121 and air- permeable materials 122 and 123 constituting a culture medium 102 described below, and is provided in a state of being suspended by a suspension member (wire or tape) 108b on a suspension pipe 108a provided along the ceiling of a house or the like.
The vertical hydroponic conduit 101 can be formed by making slits 111 or a plurality of openings in a material having a shape that is easily molded, such as a square or a circle in cross section. Alternatively, an existing product such as ZIPGROW (trademark) from Bright Agrotech may be used.
The culture medium 102 is composed of a water-retentive sheet 121 and air- permeable materials 122 and 123 sandwiching both surfaces thereof, and is inserted and accommodated in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 so as to be able to be pulled out and inserted.
The culture medium supply unit 104 includes a culture medium supply pump 141 for dropping the culture medium 107 from the culture medium storage tank 103 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121 through the culture medium supply tube 104 a.
The dropping speed of the culture solution 107 is preferably 0.05 g/sec to 100 g/sec. Particularly preferably from 0.1 g/sec to 50 g/sec.
When the amount is less than 0.05 g/sec, even if the culture solution 107 is dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121, the water-retentive sheet 121 is dried by evaporation, and a sufficient amount of the culture solution 107 is not supplied to the roots of the plant.
When the amount is larger than 100 g/sec, the culture solution 107 which is not completely retained by the water-retentive sheet 121 flows out to the surface of the plant, and this causes the ground to be wet. Further, when the outflow of the liquid along the plant continues for a long time, the circulating culture solution is entirely consumed, and the supplied culture solution 107 is exhausted, so that the plant is dried up.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponic facility, when the culture solution 107 pumped up by one pump is circulated and used, the dropping speed that can be distributed to each vertical hydroponic cylinder 101 has to be decreased as the number of vertical hydroponic cylinders 101 increases.
Therefore, the dropping speed is set to be small, and the plant can be cultivated in a plurality of cultivation cylinders without using a high-output and expensive pump.
The culture medium collection module 105 includes a drain pan 151 for receiving the culture medium 107 dropped from the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121, and a culture medium collection circulation pump 152, and the culture medium 107 stored in the drain pan 151 is collected and circulated to the culture medium storage tank 103 by the culture medium collection circulation pump 152.
The water-retentive sheet 121 is preferably 2mm or more in thickness.
That is, the larger the thickness is, the more reliably the dropped culture liquid 107 can be dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121.
The water-retentive sheet 121 does not necessarily have to be a single sheet, and a plurality of sheets may be stacked and used.
For example, two or more sheets having a thickness of 1mm may be used by being sandwiched between the air- permeable materials 122 and 123.
The upper limit of the thickness is preferably up to 80%, more preferably up to 70% of the thickness of the vertical hydroponic growth tube 101. If the thickness is larger than this, the culture medium 107 contained therein becomes too much, which results in a heavy weight and poor workability.
Next, the operation and effect of this example 1 will be described.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of example 1, since it is configured as described above, when the culture medium 102 is inserted and mounted in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 with the seedlings or seeds 106 of a plurality of plants sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet 121 and the air- permeable material 122 or 123 through the slits 111 and the culture solution 107 is dropped onto the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121 by the culture solution supply pump 141, the seedlings or seeds 106 grow by absorbing the culture solution 107 from the water-retentive sheet 121, as shown in fig. 2 and 3.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of example 1, as described above, the culture medium 102 contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 so as to be insertable and removable is configured by the water-retentive sheet 121 in which the seedlings or seeds 106 of the plant are planted and the air- permeable materials 122 and 123 sandwiching both surfaces thereof, and the culture solution 107 is dropped onto the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121, thereby reliably supplying water and oxygen to the roots of the seedlings or seeds 106 of the plant sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet 121 and the air- permeable materials 122 and 123, and therefore, the cultivated plant can be prevented from withering and root rot.
Further, by providing the slit 111 that is long in the longitudinal direction for implanting the seedling or seed 106 of a plant at a position including the boundary portion between the water-retaining sheet 121 and the air- permeable material 122 or 123, the seedling or seed 106 of a plant can be implanted between the water-retaining sheet 121 and the air- permeable material 122 or 123 regardless of the position of the slit 111 that is long in the longitudinal direction.
Further, the culture medium 102 is constituted of two parts of the water-retentive sheet 121 and the air- permeable materials 122 and 123, and is divided into a material having low water retentivity but excellent air permeability and being inexpensive, a material which is easy to supply, a material having low air permeability but excellent water retentivity and being inexpensive, and a material which is easy to supply, and can be widely used, and the range of material selection can be widened.
Further, by selecting a material which is light in weight and is hard to be crushed, the performance such as ease of use can be improved.
Further, by setting the thickness of the water-retentive sheet 121 to 2mm or more, the culture solution 107 can be more reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, by providing the culture solution recovery unit 105 that collects the culture solution 107 dripped from the lower portion of the vertical hydroponic culture tube 101 and recovers the culture solution to the culture solution storage tank 103, the culture solution recovery unit 105 is provided with the drain pan 151 that recovers the culture solution 107 dripped from the lower portion of the vertical hydroponic culture tube 101, and is configured to circulate the culture solution 107 recovered to the drain pan 151 to the culture solution storage tank 103, the culture solution 107 can be used effectively and flexibly, and the cost for the culture solution 107 can be reduced. In addition, the environmental load due to the disposal of the culture solution 107 is also small.
Next, other embodiments will be described. In the description of the other embodiments, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are not illustrated, or the same reference numerals are used to omit the description, and only the differences will be described.
Example 2
The vertical hydroponic system of example 2 is different from example 1 in that, as shown in fig. 5, it includes a fixing unit 108 for fixing the culture liquid drop lower port 104b at the lower end of the culture liquid supply unit 104 connected to the culture liquid supply tube 104a directly above the water-retentive sheet 121.
The fixing unit 108 is configured to fix the solution supply pipe 104a to the suspension member (wire or tape) 108b in this embodiment 2. The fixing unit 108 may be of any structure, for example, may be formed by directly fixing the drip hose 104d to the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101.
According to example 2, by providing the fixing member 108 fixed so that the culture liquid droplet lower port 104b of the lower end portion of the culture liquid supply tube 104a in the culture liquid supply member 104 is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet 121, the culture liquid 107 can be reliably and efficiently collected in the water-retentive sheet 121 without loss.
Therefore, a pump having a small capacity can be used as a pump for supplying or circulating the culture solution 107, and thus, the facility cost and the operation cost can be reduced.
Example 3
The vertical hydroponic system in example 3 is different from examples 1 and 2 in that the culture liquid drop lower port 104b of the culture liquid supply unit 104 is in contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121 as shown in fig. 6.
In example 3, as described above, the culture liquid 107 can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121 without leaking in the direction of the air- permeable materials 122 and 123 by bringing the culture liquid drop lower openings 104b of the culture liquid supply unit 104 into contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 4
The vertical hydroponic system of example 4 is different from examples 1 to 3 in that the culture liquid drop lower port 104b of the culture liquid supply unit 104 is sandwiched between the water-retaining sheet 121 and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials 122, as shown in fig. 7.
In example 4, as described above, the culture liquid drop lower opening 104b of the culture liquid supply unit 104 is sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet 121 and the air-permeable material 122, and thus the culture liquid can be reliably supplied to the water-retentive sheet 121.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 5
The vertical hydroponic system of example 5 is different from examples 1 to 4 in that the upper end of the water-retaining sheet 121 protrudes from the upper surfaces of the two air- permeable materials 122 and 123 as shown in fig. 8.
In example 5, as described above, the culture liquid 107 can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121 without leaking in the direction of the air- permeable materials 122 and 123 by bringing the culture liquid drop lower openings 104b of the culture liquid supply unit 104 into contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 6
The vertical hydroponic system of example 6 is different from examples 1 to 5 in that, as shown in fig. 9, the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper ends of the air- permeable materials 122 and 123 is folded and placed on and covered on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials 123.
In example 6, as described above, by placing the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air- permeable member 122, 123 on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable members 123 in a bent manner, the water-retentive sheet 121a on which the culture medium 107 is placed in a bent manner can be efficiently collected in the water-retentive sheet 121 without losing part of the culture medium 107 to the air- permeable members 122, 123 side, as compared with the case of simply sandwiching only the water-retentive sheet 121 between the air- permeable members 122, 123, and therefore, even when a culture medium supply device having a large variation in the drop position of the culture medium 107 is used, the drop position of the culture medium is slightly shifted to the left and right, and even with a small supply of the culture medium 107, plants can be reliably cultivated.
Further, the water-retentive sheet 121 is not problematic even if it is not necessarily a continuous sheet. The same effect can be obtained even with a structure in which two or more water-retentive sheets 121 are brought into contact with each other. For example, by placing the water-retentive sheet in one of the directions as shown in fig. 9 with the upper surface of the air-permeable material overlaid on the water-retentive sheet 121a placed on the upper surface of the air-permeable material 123 in a bent manner, the culture solution 107 can be guided to the water-retentive sheet 121 and to the periphery of the roots of the seedlings of the plants without being lost regardless of the position of dropping the culture solution 107 on the air-permeable material.
Next, comparative experimental examples of cultivation in examples 1 to 6 will be described.
1. Experimental example 1 (reference example): the air-permeable materials 122 and 123 (made of polyethylene) having a thickness of 4.8cm, a width of 10cm and a length of 150cm were folded into two halves at half length, polyester felt (water-retentive sheet 21) manufactured by Daiko industries having a thickness of 1mm, a width of 9cm and a length of 70cm was sandwiched therebetween, and the height of the upper surface was made the same as that of the air-permeable materials 122 and 123 (the upper end of the felt was not protruded upward), and the vertical hydroponic tank 101 (made of polyvinyl chloride) having a square cross section with one side of 10cm and a slit 111 with a width of 2cm at the center of one side was inserted.
Another member (length: 75cm) was prepared in which the same felt as above was sandwiched between air-permeable materials, and two members were filled in a culture cylinder (length: 150 cm).
Six of the above-described vertical hydroponic culture cylinders 101 were prepared.
The basil seedlings were planted in these vertical hydroponic culture pots.
The seedlings were planted in 9cm pots and had a plant height of 7-10 cm, and after soil was washed off from the roots with tap water, six (three for each of the upper and lower air-permeable raw materials) basil seedlings were inserted into the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 with their underground portions sandwiched at 20cm intervals between polyethylene and felt.
The vertical hydroponic tank 101 is suspended from the ceiling, and as shown in fig. 4, the vertical hydroponic tank 101 and the culture medium supply pipe 104a are arranged such that the culture medium supply pipe 104a passes through the center of the slit 111 of the vertical hydroponic tank 101 and comes on a line dividing the cross section of the vertical hydroponic tank 101 into two rectangles having equal areas.
A dropping hose 104d is connected to each culture medium supply tube 104a via a cock 104c for opening and closing and controlling the amount of culture medium, and the culture medium 107 can be dropped from the dropping hose 104 d.
Six of the above-described vertical hydroponic culture cylinders 101 were prepared. (although the dropping position is theoretically a position where the thickness of the water-retentive sheet 121 is accurately divided into two, as shown in FIG. 4, the accuracy of the thickness of the air- permeable materials 122 and 123 and the warping condition of the dropping tube 104d connected below the cock 104c are different, and therefore, a slight shift occurs in the left-right direction.)
2. Experimental example 2 (comparative example): a vertical hydroponic culture tank 101 equipped with seedlings of Ocimum basilicum as in Experimental example 1 was prepared except that the culture medium 102 was sandwiched in a state of polyethylene only without containing felt,
in addition, the underground part of the basil seedling is clamped between two polyethylenes.
Two of the above-described vertical hydroponic culture cylinders 101 are prepared.
3. Experimental example 3: a vertical hydroponic tank 101 equipped with basil seedlings was prepared in the same manner as in example 1.
After the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 is hung from the ceiling, whether or not there is a lateral deviation in the state where the culture solution 107 is dropped is checked, and as shown in fig. 5, the position is finely corrected by fixing the dropping hose 104d to the hanging member 108 b.
4. Experimental example 4: a cultivation pot assembled with basil seedlings was prepared in the same manner as in example 1.
After the vertical hydroponic growth cylinder 101 is suspended from the ceiling, as shown in fig. 6, the tip of the drip hose 104d is brought into contact with the water-retaining sheet 121.
5. Experimental example 5: a vertical hydroponic tank 101 equipped with basil seedlings was prepared in the same manner as in example 1.
The drip hose 104d connected to the lower side of the cock 104c through the culture medium supply pipe 104a is changed to a type having a long tip, and after the vertical hydroponic growth cylinder 101 is suspended from the ceiling, as shown in fig. 7, the tip of the drip hose 104d is sandwiched between the water-retaining sheet 121 and the air-permeable material 122.
6. Experimental example 6: a vertical hydroponic tank 101 equipped with basil seedlings was prepared in the same manner as in example 1 except that a breathable material (made of polyethylene) having a thickness of 4.1cm, a width of 10cm and a length of 150cm was folded into two half-length, and rockwool (trade name: vegetables, seedbed) from Japan rock wool corporation cut into 16mm, 9cm and 70cm was sandwiched between the breathable materials, and the material was allowed to protrude 3cm from the top surfaces of the breathable materials 122, 123.
As shown in FIG. 8, the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 can be hung from the ceiling and the culture solution 107 can be dropped.
7. Experimental example 7: a vertical hydroponic tank 101 was prepared in which a breathable material having the same dimensions and material as in example 1 was folded into two pieces in half the length, polyester felt (water-retentive sheet) having a thickness of 1mm, a width of 9cm and a length of 70cm was sandwiched between the two pieces, the upper end portion 2cm of the felt was protruded from the upper end of polyethylene, and the protruded portion was placed on the upper surface of polyethylene in a bent manner as shown in fig. 9, and the basil seedlings were mounted in the same manner as in example 1.
8. Experimental example 8: a vertical hydroponic tank 101 equipped with basil seedlings was prepared in the same manner as in example 7, except that a breathable material having the same dimensions and material as in example 1 was folded into two pieces in half the length, and polyester felt (water-retentive sheet) having a thickness of 1mm, a width of 9cm and a length of 70cm was sandwiched therebetween, and the upper end portion 1cm of the felt was protruded from the upper end of the polyethylene, and the length of the protruded portion was 1cm instead of 2 cm.
Further, a felt having a thickness of 1mm was cut into a square shape having a width of 9cm and a length of 9cm, and was placed on the upper end of the folded polyethylene air-permeable material so as to cover the 1cm felt placed in a bent state.
9. The vertical hydroponics cylinders 101 of experimental examples 1 to 8 were cultivated in the sun for 3 days while a fertilizer culture solution (OAT house No. 1 dissolved in an aqueous solution having a concentration of 0.8 g/L) was dropped at a rate of 20g per minute.
10. Comparing the results of the experiments
Experimental example 1 (reference example): of the total 36 seedlings of the 6 vertical hydroponic culture cylinders 101, 21 seedlings smoothly grow.
The vertical hydroponics cylinders 101, 6 of the 6 seedlings that grow most smoothly all grow smoothly.
In the least unfavorable vertical hydroponic tank 101, 5 out of 6 seedlings were dry.
Experimental example 2 (comparative example): of 12 seedlings in total of 2 vertical hydroponics culture cylinders 101, 1 seedling smoothly grows.
In the first vertical hydroponic tank 101, 1 out of 6 seedlings continued to grow, but 5 seedlings dried up.
In the second vertical hydroponic tank 101, 6 of the 6 seedlings were dried up.
Experimental examples 3 to 8: all 6 of the 6 seedlings grew smoothly.
Example 7
The vertical hydroponic culture system of example 7 is different from example 6 in that the bent water-retentive sheet 121a is formed into an inclined shape as shown in fig. 10, and the inclined shape is as follows: the thickness of the sheet becomes thicker toward the front end, and the upper surface of the sheet becomes higher toward the outside with the water-retentive sheet 121 as the center.
In example 7, as described above, the water-retentive sheet 121a having passed through the bending is formed into an inclined shape having the following shape: since the thickness of the sheet becomes thicker toward the tip and the upper surface becomes higher toward the outside with respect to the water-retentive sheet 121, the time for the sheet to stay on the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 121a is shorter than in the case where the sheet is not inclined, and thus the culture solution 107 can be used effectively and flexibly.
Example 8
The vertical hydroponic system of example 8 is different from examples 6 and 7 in that, as shown in fig. 11 and 12, the vertical hydroponic system includes an inclined member 121b having an inclined upper surface that increases as going outward around the water-retentive sheet 121 on at least the upper surface of the air-permeable material 123 on the bent water-retentive sheet 121a side.
In example 8, as described above, by providing the sloping member 121a having the sloping upper surface that becomes higher as going outward with the water-retentive sheet 121 as the center at least on the upper surface of the air-permeable material 123 on the bent water-retentive sheet 121a side, the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 121a becomes a sloping surface, and thus the scattering of the culture solution 107 dropped onto the sloping surface to the outside can be prevented, and the leakage and evaporation of the culture solution 107 dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121a to the air-permeable material 123 can be prevented, and the culture solution 107 can be used more efficiently and flexibly.
The material of the inclined member 121b is arbitrary, but it is preferable that at least the inclined upper surface is made of a material having no air permeability.
In addition, if the inclined member 121b has an inclined upper surface, the cross section is not limited to a substantially right triangle, and is arbitrary. The inclined upper surface of the inclined member 121b is not limited to a straight line, and may be, for example, a concave curved surface.
Example 9
The vertical hydroponic system in example 9 is different from examples 6 to 8 in that the upper surface of the air-permeable material 123 on the bent water-retentive sheet 121a side is formed in an inclined shape that becomes higher as going outward around the water-retentive sheet 121 as shown in fig. 13.
In example 9, as described above, the upper surface of the air-permeable material 123 on the bent water-retentive sheet 121a side is formed into an inclined shape that becomes higher as going outward around the water-retentive sheet 121a, and the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 121a becomes an inclined surface, whereby the culture solution 107 dropped on the inclined surface can be prevented from splashing to the outside, the leakage and evaporation of the culture solution 107 dropped on the water-retentive sheet 121a to the air-permeable material 123 can be prevented, and the culture solution 107 can be used more efficiently and flexibly.
Example 10
The vertical hydroponic culture system of embodiment 10 is different from embodiments 1 to 10 in that, as shown in fig. 14, the culture medium supply unit 104 is provided with a flow rate adjustment unit 142 for adjusting the supply amount of the culture medium to the water-retentive sheet 121, the culture medium 107 is dropped from the flow rate adjustment unit 142 to the water-retentive sheet 121, the water content sensor 109 is provided at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121, and the flow rate adjustment unit 142 is configured by a motor-operated valve 142a and a culture medium supply amount control unit 142b for controlling the water holding amount at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121 by automatically controlling the motor-operated valve 142a with a signal from the water content sensor 109.
The water content sensor 109 is a member for measuring the water content at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121, and is provided at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121. The moisture amount measured by the moisture amount sensor 109 is displayed on the moisture amount meter 109 a.
The flow rate adjusting unit 142a is a member for adjusting the amount of the culture solution 107 dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 121, and in example 14, the flow rate adjusting unit includes a motor-operated valve 142a and a culture solution supply amount control unit 142b which is controlled so that the water retaining amount at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121 becomes saturated by automatically controlling the motor-operated valve 142a based on a signal from the water content sensor 109.
Further, by providing the drain tray 109b for receiving the culture solution 107 dropped from the water-retentive sheet 121 in the lower portion of the vertical hydroponics cylinder 101, the culture solution 107 in the case where the water content of the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet 121 exceeds the saturation state can be stored. Further, by storing the water-retentive raw material 109c in this drain pan 109b, evaporation of the culture solution 107 is suppressed.
In example 10, as described above, the culture medium supply unit 104 is provided with the flow rate adjusting unit 142 for adjusting the supply amount of the culture medium to the water-retentive sheet 121, and the culture medium 107 is dropped from the flow rate adjusting unit 142 to the water-retentive sheet 121, and the water content sensor 109 is provided at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121, whereby the water content at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 121 can be adjusted to not exceed the saturation level, and a simple configuration such as a culture medium collection and circulation device or a receiving tray may not be provided. Alternatively, a system in which only a very small amount of the culture solution 107 exceeding the saturation amount is circulated may be employed.
In example 10, by providing the motor-operated valve 142a and the culture medium supply amount control unit 142b as the flow rate adjusting unit 142, the motor-operated valve 142a can be automatically controlled to automatically adjust the culture medium amount to an appropriate amount.
Thus, the culture medium amount can be automatically adjusted without delay even in a sudden weather or a change in air temperature, including a case where control is performed by remote operation from outside the cultivation house.
Example 11
The vertical hydroponic system of example 11 is different from that of example 10 in that a manual valve 142c is used as a flow rate adjusting means 142, as shown in fig. 15.
In example 11, as described above, by using the manual valve 142c as the flow rate adjusting unit 142, the amount of culture solution can be adjusted to an appropriate amount manually without particularly increasing the facility cost.
Example 12
The vertical hydroponic system of example 12 is different from examples 1 to 12 in that it includes a warm heater 110 in contact with a water-retentive sheet 121 as shown in fig. 16.
In example 12, by providing the warm heater 110 in contact with the water-retentive sheet 121 as described above, the temperature around the thin roots of the plant in contact with the water-retentive sheet 121 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature even in winter, whereby the development of the thin roots can be promoted, the culture solution absorption rate can be greatly improved, and the effect of improving the yield can be obtained.
Example 13
The vertical hydroponic system of example 13 is different from those of examples 1 to 12 in that the vertical hydroponic cylinder 101 has one or more vertical slits 111 or a plurality of openings for planting seedlings or seeds 106 of a plant in at least two directions, as shown in fig. 17 to 20.
That is, as example 1 of example 13, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101 is provided with slits 111 on both opposite side walls thereof, whereby seedlings or seeds 106 of plants can be planted on both surfaces of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101.
As example 2 of example 13, as shown in fig. 19 and 20, the water-retentive sheet 121 is provided in a cross shape by providing slits 111 on all 4 side surfaces of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101, whereby seedlings or seeds 106 of plants can be planted on all 4 surfaces of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101.
In this case, as shown in fig. 21, the air permeable materials 122 and 123 are folded into two pieces with the lower ends as the center, and the cross-shaped water-retentive sheet 121 is sandwiched between the air permeable materials 122 and 123.
In example 13, as described above, the vertical hydroponic growth tubes 101 are provided with the one or more vertical slits 111 or the plurality of openings for planting the seedlings or seeds 106 of the plant in at least two directions, whereby the number of plants that can be grown in each vertical hydroponic growth tube 101, and hence the yield of the plant, can be greatly increased.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and design changes and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.
For example, although the vertical hydroponic growth cylinder 101 is provided in a state suspended from the ceiling of a house in the embodiment, it may be provided in a state of being erected on the ground.
In the embodiment, the slit 111 that is long in the longitudinal direction for planting the seedling or seed 106 of the plant is provided on one side surface of the vertical hydroponic growth cylinder 101, but a plurality of slits that are long in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings that are long in the longitudinal direction may be provided.
In addition, as a light source of the vertical hydroponic system or method, artificial light such as an LED can be used in addition to sunlight. In the case of using artificial light, for example, an artificial light device such as an LED is provided on the side surface of the slit 111 of the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder 101.
In the examples, the seedling or seed is planted, but a plant seedling with the culture medium kept unchanged when the plant seedling is separately planted by the seed sowing device may be planted. In the case of this method, for example, sowing is performed in a urethane medium, and the medium around each seedling is left sandwiched without any change, so that the labor for root washing can be saved. Further, the plant species may be cultivated without failure because the plant species are thin and damaged by washing the roots and the growth thereof is deteriorated thereafter.
In addition, since water and oxygen can be reliably supplied to the plants with a small amount of culture medium, the cuttings can be planted in a state in which the roots have not yet emerged. By using this method, seedlings can be raised in a short period of time from sowing to the plant species that grow slowly.
Embodiments of the present invention are further described below based on the drawings.
Example 14
First, the vertical hydroponic system according to embodiment 14 will be described with reference to the drawings.
The vertical hydroponic culture system of example 14 includes, as shown in fig. 22 to 26, a culture medium 1 having a longitudinal length, a pair of split type outer frames 2, 2 having a substantially コ -shaped cross section, a connecting unit 3, a solution storage tank 4, a culture medium supply unit 5, and a solution collection unit 7, and is configured to drop a culture medium 6 from the culture medium supply unit 5 to a water-retentive sheet 11, the culture medium 1 having a longitudinal length comprising a water-retentive sheet 11 and air-permeable raw materials 12, 13 sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, the pair of split type outer frames 2, 2 having a substantially コ -shaped cross section partially surrounding the outer peripheries of the air-permeable raw materials with gaps W, W formed in the vicinity of both side edges of the water-retentive sheet 11 for planting seedlings or seeds 8 of plants into the space between the water-retentive sheet 11 and the air-permeable raw materials 12, 13 and continuing to be long in the longitudinal direction, the connecting unit 3 detachably connects the two frames 2, 2 to each other, and the culture medium supply unit 5 supplies the culture medium 6 from the solution storage tank 4 to the culture medium 1.
More specifically, in example 14, as the coupling member 3 for detachably coupling the two frames 2, a plurality of binding tapes 31 wound around and fastened to the outer peripheries of the two frames 2, 2 are used.
The outer frames 2 and 2 are provided in a state of being hung from hanging pipes 9a provided along a ceiling of a house or the like via hanging members (wires or belts) 9 b.
The suspension member 9b is preferably made of a twistable flexible material or has a structure having a rotatable shaft portion. Thus, both side surfaces can be harvested from the same place, and the work efficiency is improved.
The culture medium supply unit 5 includes a culture medium supply pump 51 for dropping the culture medium 6 from the culture medium storage tank 4 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 through the culture medium supply tube 5 a.
The dropping speed of the culture solution 6 is preferably from 0.05 g/sec to 100 g/sec. Particularly preferably from 0.1 g/sec to 50 g/sec.
If the amount is less than 0.05 g/sec, the water-retentive sheet 11 is dried by evaporation even if the culture solution 6 is dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11, and a sufficient amount of the culture solution 6 is not supplied to the roots of the plant.
When the amount is larger than 100 g/sec, the culture solution 6 which is not completely retained by the water-retentive sheet 11 flows out to the surface of the plant, and this causes the ground to be wet. Further, when the outflow of the liquid along the plant continues for a long time, the circulating culture solution is entirely consumed, and the supplied culture solution 6 is exhausted, so that the plant is dried up.
In addition, in the vertical hydroponic facility, when the culture solution 6 pumped up by one pump is circulated and used, the dropping speed that can be distributed to each of the frames 2, 2 has to be decreased as the number of frames 2, 2 is increased.
Therefore, the dropping speed is set to be small, and the plant can be cultivated in a plurality of cultivation cylinders without using a high-output and expensive pump.
The culture medium collection unit 7 includes a drain pan 71 for receiving the culture medium 6 dropped from the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 11, and a culture medium collection circulation pump 72, and the culture medium 6 stored in the drain pan 71 is collected and circulated to the culture medium storage tank 4 by the culture medium collection circulation pump 72.
The water-retentive sheet 11 is preferably 2mm or more in thickness.
That is, the larger the thickness, the more reliably the dropped culture solution 6 can be dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11.
The water-retentive sheet 11 need not necessarily be a single sheet, and a plurality of sheets may be stacked and used.
For example, two or more sheets having a thickness of 1mm may be used by being stacked and sandwiched between the air- permeable materials 12 and 13.
The upper limit of the thickness is preferably up to 80%, more preferably up to 70% of the thickness of the vertical hydroponic growth tube 1. If the thickness is larger than this, the culture medium 6 contained therein becomes too much, which results in a heavy weight and poor workability.
Next, the operation and effect of example 14 will be described.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of example 14, since it is configured as described above, when the culture solution 6 is dropped by the culture solution supply pump 51 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 211 in a state where the seedlings or seeds 8 of the plants are planted between the water-retentive sheet 1 and the air- permeable materials 12 and 33 from the gaps W, W formed between the outer frames 2 and 2 in the vicinity of the both side edge portions of the water-retentive sheet, respectively, as shown in fig. 22 to 26, the seedlings or seeds 8 grow by absorbing the culture solution 6 from the water-retentive sheet 11.
In the vertical hydroponic culture system of example 14, as described above, the culture medium 1 is constituted by the water-retentive sheet 11 in which the seedlings or seeds 8 of the plant are planted and the air-permeable raw materials 12 and 13 sandwiching both surfaces thereof, and the culture solution 6 is dropped onto the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, thereby reliably supplying water and oxygen to the roots of the seedlings or seeds 8 of the plant sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet 11 and the air-permeable raw materials 12 and 13, and therefore, the cultivated plant can be prevented from withering and rotting.
Further, by providing gaps W, W which are long and continuous in the longitudinal direction for planting the seedlings or seeds 8 of the plants between the water-retaining sheet 11 and the air- permeable materials 12 and 33 in the vicinity of both side edge portions of the water-retaining sheet 11, and sandwiching the pair of frames 2 and 2 having a substantially コ -character-shaped cross section of the culture medium 1 between the air- permeable materials 12 and 12, the number of plants of seedlings which can be planted can be increased to two times at maximum, and the yield of the plants can be greatly increased, as compared with the case of planting the plants only on one side in the past.
In the cultivation system of example 14, 8 basil plants, 16 in total, were planted on one side and were cultivated in the sun for 42 days.
In addition, under the same conditions, 8 basil plants were cultivated using cultivation cylinders of the same size having slits on one side as disclosed in japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018-113927 described in patent document 3, and the harvest yields of the two towers were compared.
After the permanent planting, harvesting was performed three times in two weeks in total, and the results of comparing the total amount of harvesting results showed that the yield of example 14 (corresponding to claim 4) was 1.7 times that of the conventional towers having slits on only one side.
Further, the culture medium 1 having a two-part structure of the water-retentive sheet 21 and the air- permeable materials 12 and 13 can be widely used by sharing functions among inexpensive materials having excellent air permeability although having low water retentivity, materials which are easy to supply, inexpensive materials having excellent water retentivity although having low air permeability, and materials which are easy to supply, and the range of material selection can be widened.
Further, by selecting a material which is light in weight and is hard to break, the performance such as ease of use can be improved.
Further, since the coupling member 3 for coupling the two outer frames 2, 2 to each other is configured to detachably couple the two outer frames 2, 2 with the binding tape, the assembly of the water-retentive sheet 11 and the air- permeable materials 12, 13, which are two-part structures, and the parts replacement work can be efficiently performed.
Further, the outer frames 2, 2 are divided, so that the volume of the cultivation tube can be made about half of that of the conventional product during transportation, and the space can be reduced when the cultivation tube is stored as a stock.
Further, by setting the thickness of the water-retentive sheet 11 to 2mm or more, the culture solution 6 can be more reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Further, by providing the culture medium recovery unit 7 that collects the culture medium 6 dripping from the lower portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 and recovers the culture medium to the culture medium storage tank 4, the culture medium recovery unit 7 includes the drain pan 71 that recovers the culture medium 6 dripping from the lower portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, and is configured to circulate the culture medium 6 recovered to the drain pan 71 to the culture medium storage tank 4, the culture medium 6 can be used efficiently and flexibly, and the cost required for the culture medium 6 can be reduced. In addition, the environmental load due to the disposal of the culture solution 6 is also small.
Next, other embodiments will be described. In the description of the other embodiments, the same components as those of embodiment 14 are not illustrated, or the same reference numerals are used to omit the description, and only the differences will be described.
Example 15
The vertical hydroponic system of example 15 is different from example 14 in that, as shown in fig. 27, it includes a fixing unit 10 in which a culture liquid drop outlet 5b fixed to a lower end portion of the culture liquid supply unit 5 connected to the culture liquid supply tube 5a is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet 11.
The fixing unit 10 is constructed in such a manner that the solution supply pipe 5a is fixed to the suspension member (wire or tape) 9b in this embodiment 15. The fixing unit 10 may have any structure, for example, the drip hose 5d may be directly fixed to the culture medium 1, the frames 2, or the like.
According to example 15, by providing the fixing unit 10 fixed such that the culture liquid droplet lower port 5b of the lower end portion of the culture liquid supply tube 5a in the culture liquid supply unit 5 is positioned directly above the water-retentive sheet 11, the culture liquid 6 can be efficiently and reliably collected in the water-retentive sheet 11 without loss.
Therefore, a pump having a small capacity can be used as a pump for supplying or circulating the culture solution 6, and thus, the facility cost and the operation cost can be reduced.
Example 16
The vertical hydroponic system in example 16 is different from examples 11 and 12 in that the culture liquid drop lower port 5b of the culture liquid supply unit 5 is in contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 as shown in fig. 28.
In example 16, as described above, the culture liquid 6 can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11 without leaking in the direction of the air- permeable materials 12 and 13 by bringing the culture liquid drop lower openings 5b of the culture liquid supply unit 5 into contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 17
The vertical hydroponic system of example 17 is different from examples 14 to 16 in that the culture liquid drop lower port 5b of the culture liquid supply unit 5 is sandwiched between the water-repellent sheet 11 and the upper end portion of one of the air-permeable materials 12, as shown in fig. 29.
In example 17, as described above, the culture liquid drop lower port 5b of the culture liquid supply unit 5 is sandwiched between the water-retentive sheet 11 and the air-permeable material 12, and thus the culture liquid can be reliably supplied to the water-retentive sheet 11.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 18
The vertical hydroponic system in example 18 is different from examples 14 to 17 in that the upper end of the water-retaining sheet 11 protrudes from the upper surfaces of the two air- permeable materials 12 and 13 as shown in fig. 30.
In example 15, as described above, the culture liquid 6 can be reliably dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11 without leaking in the direction of the air- permeable materials 12 and 13 by bringing the culture liquid drop lower openings 5b of the culture liquid supply unit 5 into contact with the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11.
This enables the plant to be cultivated with a minimum required amount of culture solution dropped.
Example 19
The vertical hydroponic system in example 19 is different from examples 14 to 18 in that, as shown in fig. 31, the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper ends of the air- permeable materials 12 and 13 is folded and placed on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials 13 to cover the upper surface.
In example 19, as described above, by placing the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet protruding from the upper end of the air- permeable materials 12, 13 on the upper surface of at least one of the air-permeable materials 13 in a bent manner, the water-retentive sheet 11a placed with the culture fluid 6 bent can be efficiently collected in the water-retentive sheet 11 without losing part of the culture fluid 6 to the air- permeable materials 12, 13 side, as compared with the case of simply sandwiching only the water-retentive sheet 11 between the air- permeable materials 12, 13, and therefore even when a culture fluid supply apparatus having a large variation in the drop position of the culture fluid 6 is used, the drop position of the culture fluid is slightly shifted to the left and right, and plants can be reliably cultivated with a small supply of the culture fluid 6.
Further, the water-retentive sheet 11 is not problematic even if it is not necessarily a continuous sheet. The same effect is obtained even in a structure in which two or more water-retentive sheets 11 are brought into contact with each other. For example, by placing the water-retentive sheet in one of the directions shown in fig. 31 while overlapping the water-retentive sheet, the upper surface of the air-permeable material is covered with the water-retentive sheet 11a placed on the upper surface of the air-permeable material 13 while being bent, the culture solution 6 can be guided to the water-retentive sheet 11 and thus to the periphery of the roots of the seedlings of the plants without being lost regardless of the position of dropping the culture solution 6 onto the air-permeable material.
However, as a result of verification that commercially available polyethylene was used as the breathable materials 12 and 13, the thickness varied.
In addition, the drip hose 5d is also warped in a variable manner.
When the position of the tube for dropping the liquid is set to a position where the distance from the left end of 12(1) to the right end of 13(1) in fig. 23 is accurately divided into two, when the same material is used for 12(1) and 13(1), the liquid should fall on the water-retaining sheet placed right at the center because the thickness is theoretically the same, but in reality, in a vertical system in which the above-described air-permeable raw material and dropping tube are randomly used together with a water-retaining sheet having a thickness of 1mm, as a result of verification performed for 3 days of basil seedling cultivation under sunlight, both a case where the liquid is dropped onto the water-retaining sheet in the center and a case where withered seedlings appear in which the culture liquid is only partially emitted onto the water-retaining sheet are confirmed.
In examples 15 to 19, the culture medium was more reliably collected on the water-retaining sheet than in example 14.
In any of examples 15 to 19, it was confirmed by the same 3-day cultivation as described above that the seedling did not wither.
Example 20
The vertical hydroponic culture system of example 20 is different from example 19 in that, as shown in fig. 32, the bent water-retentive sheet 11a is formed in an inclined shape in which the thickness thereof becomes thicker as it goes to the tip and the upper surface thereof becomes higher as it goes to the outside around the water-retentive sheet 11.
In example 20, as described above, the bent water-retentive sheet 11a is formed in an inclined shape in which the thickness thereof becomes thicker toward the tip and the upper surface thereof becomes higher toward the outside with respect to the water-retentive sheet 11, and the time for which the sheet stays on the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 11a is shorter than that in the case where the sheet is not inclined, whereby the culture solution 6 can be used effectively and flexibly.
Example 21
The vertical hydroponic system of example 21 is different from examples 19 and 20 in that, as shown in fig. 33 and 34, the vertical hydroponic system includes an inclined member 11b having an inclined upper surface that increases as going outward around the water-retentive sheet 11 on at least the upper surface of the air-permeable material 13 on the bent water-retentive sheet 11a side.
In example 21, as described above, the inclined member 11a having the inclined upper surface which becomes higher as going outward with the water-retentive sheet 11 as the center is provided at least on the upper surface of the air-permeable material 13 on the bent water-retentive sheet 11a side, and the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 11a becomes the inclined surface, so that the culture solution 6 dropped on the inclined surface can be prevented from splashing to the outside, and the culture solution 6 dropped on the water-retentive sheet 11a can be prevented from leaking or evaporating into the air-permeable material 13, thereby enabling more efficient and flexible use of the culture solution 6.
The material of the inclined member 11b is arbitrary, but it is preferable that at least the inclined upper surface is made of a material having no air permeability.
In addition, if the inclined member 11b is formed in an inclined upper surface, the cross section is not limited to a substantially right triangle, and is arbitrary. The inclined upper surface of the inclined member 11b is not limited to a straight line, and may be, for example, a concave curved surface.
Example 22
The vertical hydroponic system in example 22 is different from examples 19 to 21 in that the upper surface of the air-permeable material 13 on the bent water-retentive sheet 11a side is formed in an inclined shape that becomes higher as going outward around the water-retentive sheet 11 as shown in fig. 35.
In example 22, as described above, since the upper surface of the air-permeable material 13 on the bent water-retentive sheet 11a side is formed in an inclined shape that becomes higher as it goes outward around the water-retentive sheet 11, the upper surface of the bent water-retentive sheet 11a becomes an inclined surface, and thus the scattering of the culture solution 6 dropped on the inclined surface to the outside can be prevented, and the leakage and evaporation of the culture solution 6 dropped on the water-retentive sheet 11a to the air-permeable material 13 can be prevented, and the culture solution 6 can be used more efficiently.
Example 23
The vertical hydroponic culture system of embodiment 23 is different from embodiments 14 to 22 in that the culture medium supply unit 5 is provided with a flow rate adjusting unit 52 for adjusting the supply amount of the culture medium to the water-retentive sheet 11, and the culture medium 6 is dropped from the flow rate adjusting unit 52 to the water-retentive sheet 11, as shown in fig. 36, the water-retentive sheet 11 is provided at the lower end thereof with a water content sensor 14, and the flow rate adjusting unit 52 is constituted by a motor-operated valve 52a and a culture medium supply amount control unit 52b for automatically controlling the water holding amount at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 11 by a signal from the water content sensor 14.
The water content sensor 14 is a member for measuring the water content at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 11, and is provided at the lower end of the water-retentive sheet 11. The moisture amount measured by the moisture amount sensor 14 is displayed on the moisture amount meter 14 a.
The flow rate adjusting unit 52 is a member for adjusting the amount of the culture liquid 6 dropped onto the water-retentive sheet 11, and in example 23, it is provided with a motor-operated valve 52a and a culture liquid supply amount controlling unit 52b for automatically controlling the water retaining amount of the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 to a saturated state by the motor-operated valve 52a based on a signal from the water content sensor 14.
Further, by providing the drain pan 14b for receiving the culture solution 6 dropped from the water-retentive sheet 11 at the lower portion of the vertical hydroponics cylinder 1, the culture solution 6 in which the water content of the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 exceeds the saturated state can be stored. Further, by storing the water-retentive raw material 14c in the drain pan 14b, evaporation of the culture solution 6 is suppressed.
In example 23, as described above, the culture medium supply unit 5 is provided with the flow rate adjusting unit 52 for adjusting the supply amount of the culture medium to the water-retentive sheet 11, and is configured such that the culture medium 6 is dropped from the flow rate adjusting unit 52 to the water-retentive sheet 11, and the water content sensor 14 is provided at the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, and the water content at the lower end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11 can be adjusted so as not to exceed the saturation amount, and a simple configuration such as a culture medium collection and circulation device or a receiving tray may not be provided. Alternatively, a system in which only a very small amount of the culture solution 6 exceeding the saturation amount is circulated may be employed.
In addition, in example 23, by providing the motor-operated valve 52a and the culture medium supply amount control means 52b as the flow rate adjusting means 52, the motor-operated valve 52a can be automatically controlled to automatically adjust the culture medium amount to an appropriate amount.
Thus, the culture medium amount can be automatically adjusted without delay even in a sudden weather or a change in air temperature, including a case where control is performed by remote operation from outside the cultivation house.
Example 24
The vertical hydroponic system according to embodiment 24 is different from that according to embodiment 23 in that a manual valve 52c is used as the flow rate adjusting means 52, as shown in fig. 37.
In example 24, as described above, the amount of culture medium can be adjusted to an appropriate amount manually by using the manual valve 52c as the flow rate adjusting unit 52 without particularly increasing the facility cost.
Example 25
The vertical hydroponic system of example 25 is different from examples 14 to 24 in that it includes a heater 10 in contact with a water-retentive sheet 21 as shown in fig. 38.
In example 25, as described above, by providing the warm heater 15 in contact with the water-retentive sheet 11, the temperature around the fine roots of the plant in contact with the water-retentive sheet 11 can be maintained at an appropriate temperature even in winter, whereby the development of the fine roots can be promoted, the culture solution absorption rate can be greatly improved, and the effect of improving the yield can be obtained.
Example 26
The vertical hydroponic system of example 26 is different from examples 14 to 25 in that it includes a top plate 21 covering the upper end surfaces of the two frames 2 and 2, as shown in fig. 39.
Therefore, in example 26, the invasion of dust into both the outer frames 2 and 2 can be prevented, and the generation of algae and mold in the culture medium 1 can be suppressed by blocking the sunlight.
Example 27
The vertical hydroponic system according to example 27 is different from examples 14 to 26 in that the top plate 21 is formed as a slope inclined downward toward the opposite sides of the two frames 2 and 2, as shown in fig. 40.
Therefore, in example 27, when the water-retaining sheet is disposed at a position in contact with any of the inclined surfaces, even if the culture solution 6 is dropped onto any portion on the inclined surfaces, the culture solution 6 can be reliably supplied onto the water-retaining cloth in a concentrated manner.
Example 28
The vertical hydroponic system in example 28 is different from examples 14 to 27 in that the two frames 2 and 2 have a substantially semicircular shape in cross section and that parts of the upper and lower end portions of the two frames 2 and 2 are brought into contact with each other, as shown in fig. 41.
Example 29
The vertical hydroponic system of example 29 is different from examples 14 to 28 in that a plurality of gaps W, W are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction in order to plant seedlings or seeds 8 of plants between the two frames 2 and 2 as shown in fig. 42.
The system of example 28 can also be bound with a binding band, and can be engaged as shown in fig. 43. Further, since the binding can be performed by anyone without depending on the strength of the binding, the worker is less likely to fail even if the worker is not skilled.
In the system of example 29, even an unskilled person can easily know the planting distance of the planted seedlings, and the planting operation can be efficiently performed without any error.
On the other hand, in the systems using the outer frames as shown in examples 14 to 28, for example, as shown in fig. 25, the tightening state can be flexibly adjusted in accordance with the size of the plant body to be clamped by adjusting the binding strength, the length of the binding band, and the like.
Further, the systems having a series of vertical slits or a longitudinally long opening into which two or more seedlings are inserted as shown in examples 14 to 28 are superior in that a site having an optimum planting distance can be freely selected, compared with the systems in which holes are provided in advance at the positions where the respective plant seedlings are planted, as in the systems of example 29 and patent document 2. That is, the plant spacing can be increased even when large seedlings are planted, and on the other hand, the plant spacing can be decreased to plant a larger number of seedlings.
Among them, the series of vertical slits is particularly excellent in that the number of seedlings and the plant spacing can be flexibly handled.
Example 30
The vertical hydroponic system of embodiment 30 is different from embodiments 14 to 29 in that the connecting unit 3 has a structure in which the two frames 2 and 2 are detachably engaged with each other, as shown in fig. 43.
That is, in embodiment 30, the engaging claws 32 and 33 that engage with each other are provided at both end portions of the outer frames 2 and 2, and the engaging state between the engaging claws 32 and 33 is maintained.
Although the positions and the number of the engaging claws 32 and 33 are arbitrary, it is desirable that the engaging claws are provided at least in the vicinity of both upper and lower end portions of the outer frames 2 and 2.
Therefore, in the coupling unit 3 of embodiment 30, the attachment and detachment operation between the two frames 2 and 2 can be easily performed.
Example 31
The vertical hydroponic system of example 31 is different from examples 14 to 30 in that, as shown in fig. 44, the gap W between the split- type frames 2 and 2 is formed only in the vicinity of one edge of the water-retaining sheet 11.
Therefore, in example 31, the same effects as in examples 14 to 30 can be obtained by eliminating the point that the amount of plants cultivated is small.
Comparative experiments of the cultivation system corresponding to example 31 and the cultivation system corresponding to japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-113927 were carried out.
(the cultivation system corresponding to Japanese patent laid-open No. 2018-113927 is different from example 31 in that the shape of the finished cultivation system is the same as that of FIG. 44, but an integrated tube having a slit which cannot be divided into two pieces is added thereto.)
Specifically, a sample a was prepared as a cultivation system corresponding to japanese patent laid-open nos. 2018-113927 and a sample B was prepared as a cultivation system corresponding to example 31 of the present application, by the following method.
These were used to evaluate the ease of taking out the seedlings and the medium inside the seedlings and the ease of cleaning the cultivation cylinder after taking out the medium, at the time of harvesting the seedlings after 3 months of cultivation. The preparation method of the sample comprises the following steps:
(1) a divided vertical hydroponic culture tank (made of polyvinyl chloride) having a cross section of 10cm on one side and a slit (gap) of 1cm on one side and a length of 150cm was prepared.
A breathable material (polyethylene) having a thickness of 4.8cm, a width of 10cm and a length of 150cm was folded into two sheets in half the length, polyester felt (water-retentive sheet) having a thickness of 1mm, a width of 9cm and a length of 70cm was interposed therebetween, and three seedlings of basil were sandwiched between the breathable material and the water-retentive material at a row spacing of 20cm each time.
The above two sets were prepared.
Two split vertical hydroponic culture cylinders each having a square cross section of 10cm on one side and a slit (gap) of 1cm on one side and a length of 150cm were filled in a state of being overlapped in the longitudinal direction, and used as a sample a.
(2) A vertical hydroponic culture tube (made of polyvinyl chloride) having a cross section of a square shape with one side of 10cm and a slit (gap) of 1cm in width on one side thereof and a length of 150cm was cut by an electric saw into two pieces of outer frames approximately shaped like コ, each of which was divided into two pieces in the longitudinal direction of the side surface facing the side surface having the slit (gap).
Two sheets of breathable material (polyethylene) having a thickness of 4.8cm, a width of 10cm and a length of 150cm were prepared, and one of the sheets was housed in an orientation of being housed inside one sheet of an outer frame of a substantially コ -letter shape. Polyester felt (water-retentive sheet) having a thickness of 1mm, a width of 9cm and a length of 150cm was placed on the polyethylene sheet, 6 seedlings of basil were placed on the water-retentive sheet so that the overground parts of the basil were oriented in the direction corresponding to the slits (gaps) and the interval in the longitudinal direction was the same as that of sample a, and then another polyethylene sheet was placed from above.
The other approximately コ -shaped outer frame was placed over the sample B so that the slits were aligned, and the three positions, i.e., the upper end, the center, and the lower end, were tightened with a type of tightening-adjustable binding band by adjusting the position of the claw, thereby obtaining a sample B.
Comparative experiment 1: with the apparatus shown in fig. 22 and 29, after the specimen A, B was cultivated in the sun for 3 months, the culture medium was pulled out of the specimen a using a hook. Sample B loosens and removes the binding band, opens the housing and removes the medium.
The sample A can be taken out by pressing the cultivation tube with feet and pulling the hook with two hands to the full extent.
Sample B, because the binding band was only loosened, the medium was removed with only the fingertip.
In addition, when the taken-out air-permeable material is the sample a, the portion of the hook is stretched and deformed.
Similarly, when cultivation was repeated 3 times for 3 months, the culture medium was broken at the edge, and this was confirmed using another sample performed under the same conditions.
In sample B, although it was used in the same number of cultivation tests, since no significant deterioration of the air-permeable material was observed, it was confirmed that the present invention was also excellent in handling property and durability when replacing seedlings.
Comparative experiment 2: for each of samples A, B, the sponge containing the bleaching solution was wiped with water to remove algae adhering to the inside.
The time required for cleaning a set of growing pots, sample a is 5 minutes and sample B is 2 minutes. In addition, sample a requires a thin stick to be attached to the sponge because it is not within hand.
As described above, the operability of the present invention was also confirmed to be overwhelmingly excellent in terms of ease of cleaning.
Example 32
The vertical hydroponic culture system of example 32 is different from examples 14 to 31 in that it includes a guide member 16 having a culture medium supply opening 16b at a lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium 6 dropped from the culture medium supply unit 5 to the upper end openings of the two coupled outer frames 2 and 2 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, as shown in fig. 45 and 46.
The guide member 16 functions to appropriately guide the culture solution 6 dropped from the culture solution supply unit 5 to the upper end openings of the outer cylinders 2 and 2 to the upper end of the water-retentive sheet 11.
As shown in fig. 46 showing the details thereof, the guide member 16 is provided in a state of being hooked on the front and rear edge portions of the upper end opening edge portions of the outer cylinders 2 and 2, and a culture solution supply opening portion 16b is provided on the bottom portion of a wide upper end opening portion 16a receiving the culture solution 6 from the culture solution supply unit 5 via an inclined surface inclined toward the center. The culture medium supply opening 16b is formed in a slit shape elongated in the longitudinal direction of the water-retentive sheet 11 in example 32.
Therefore, in example 32, by providing the guide member 16 having the culture medium supply opening 16b at the lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium 7 dropped from the culture medium supply unit 4 to the upper end opening of the vertical hydroponics growing cylinder 1 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 21, the culture medium 6 can be reliably guided to the water-retentive sheet 11 without leaking in the direction of the air-permeable raw materials 12 and 13. Thus, even when a culture medium supply apparatus having a large variation in the drop position of the culture medium 6 is used, the drop position of the culture medium is slightly shifted to the left and right, and the risk of drying up the plant due to a small amount of the culture medium can be reduced.
Although the culture solution 6 can be collected in the water-retentive sheet 11 by sandwiching the distal end of the culture solution supply tube 5a between the air- permeable materials 12 and 13 and the water-retentive sheet 11 without using the above-mentioned guide member 16, when the above-mentioned guide member 16 is used, the culture solution supply opening 16b portion of the guide portion 19 can be visually observed, and therefore, it is easy to confirm whether or not the culture solution 6 is clogged.
This enables efficient cultivation of plants with a minimum required amount of culture medium dropped.
Example 33
The vertical hydroponic culture system of example 33 is different from example 32 in that the guide member 16 is a funnel-shaped cap having a culture medium supply opening 16b at a lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium 6 dropped from the culture medium supply unit 5 to the upper end openings of the two outer frames 2, 2 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, as shown in fig. 47 to 51.
In example 33, as described above, by providing the guide member 16 as a funnel-shaped cap having the culture medium supply opening 16b at the lower end portion thereof for guiding the culture medium 6 dropped from the culture medium supply unit 5 to the upper end openings of the two outer frames 2 and 2 to the upper end portion of the water-retentive sheet 11, the area of the open portion of the upper end openings of the two outer frames 2 and 2 can be greatly reduced, and the intrusion of dust (including spores of mold) into the two outer frames 2 and 2 can be prevented.
In addition, in the case where the cultivated plants grow higher than the upper ends of the two outer frames 2, if the cap is not covered, leaves and stems enter the inside of the cultivation cylinder at the time of harvesting or the like, and the leaves and stems are left to stand, thereby becoming a breeding source of insects such as spider mites or rotting. By covering the cap, invasion of the leaves and stems can be suppressed, and by removing the cap only, the leaves and stems can be easily cleaned, and the risk of insect damage can be reduced by a simple method.
In addition, since the invasion of light into the medium can be suppressed, the production of mold and algae in the medium can be suppressed.
Even if the plants are of a type that does not cause plant diseases, the algae will flourish on the surface of the water-retentive sheet when the plants are cultivated for a long period of time, and as a result, the appearance impression is deteriorated, the surface of the water-retentive sheet becomes hydrophobic, and the water retaining ability is gradually lowered. This causes a part of the dropped culture solution to be lost to the air-permeable material side, and the supply of the culture solution to the plant becomes gradually insufficient.
In contrast, by forming the funnel-shaped cap as described above, even if the plant is continuously cultivated for a long time, the plant can be efficiently cultivated with a minimum necessary amount of the culture solution dropped.
Example 34
The vertical hydroponic system of example 34 is different from example 33 in that the cap includes a light shielding wall 16c for shielding the upper end side of the culture medium 1 housed in the two frames 2, 2 in a state where at least a part of the side surface portion not surrounded by the two frames 2, 2 is not closed, as shown in fig. 52 and 53.
Therefore, in example 34, as described above, by providing the light shielding wall 16c for shielding the upper end side of the culture medium 1, it is possible to suppress adhesion of dust (including spores of mold) to the surface of the water-retentive sheet 11 and to suppress irradiation of light to the surface of the water-retentive sheet 11, thereby suppressing generation of mold and algae in the culture medium 1.
Example 35
The vertical hydroponic system of example 35 is different from examples 32 to 34 in that a lid body 16d for opening and closing the upper end opening of the cap is provided at the upper end opening edge of the cap as shown in fig. 54.
Therefore, in example 35, by providing the cover 16d that can be closed freely, when the outer frames 2 and 2 are not used, the entrance of dust (including mold spores) into the cap can be suppressed by completely closing the opening of the guide member 16.
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and design changes and the like without departing from the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.
For example, although the vertical hydroponic growth cylinder 1 is provided in a state suspended from the ceiling of a house in the embodiment, it may be provided in a state of being erected on the ground.
In the embodiment, the outer frame having a cross section of approximately コ characters or approximately semicircular is exemplified as the outer frame, but the specific shape may be any as long as the cross section is such that the outer periphery of each breathable material is partially surrounded by the gap.
In the embodiment, the releasable binding band 31 is used as the coupling member 3, but a hook and loop fastener (registered trademark), a wire, a string, an adhesive tape, or the like may be used.
In addition, a large amount of strapping can be performed in a short time by using the automatic strapping machine. In the case of bundling with a hot-melt tape as used in an automatic bundling machine, the cultivation tube can be easily divided and collected by cutting with scissors when it is removed.
In addition, as a light source of the vertical hydroponic system or method, artificial light such as an LED can be used in addition to sunlight. In the case of using artificial light, for example, an artificial light device such as an LED is provided on the surface of the gap W, W in the present cultivation system.
In the examples, although the example of the planted seedlings is shown, the planted seedlings may be planted with the culture medium being left unchanged when they are separately planted by the planting device.
In the case of this method, for example, sowing is performed in a urethane medium, and the medium around each seedling is left sandwiched without any change, so that the labor for root washing can be saved.
Further, the plant species may be cultivated without failure because the plant species are thin and damaged by washing the roots and the growth thereof is deteriorated thereafter.
In addition, since water and oxygen can be reliably supplied to the plants with a small amount of culture medium, the cuttings can be planted in a state in which the roots have not yet emerged.
By using this method, seedlings can be raised in a short period of time from sowing to the plant species that grow slowly.
By adopting the method of sandwiching the cutting slips instead of the plants with roots, in addition to the method of arranging the plants on the water-retaining cloth placed on the air-permeable material on the ground, on a table, or the like and then bundling the plants in a state of sandwiching the other air-permeable material thereon, which is performed when transplanting the normal plants with roots, the method of previously assembling a cultivation tube surrounded by a member in which the water-retaining sheet is sandwiched between the air-permeable materials by a split-type outer frame in a plant-free manner and inserting the cultivation tube between the air-permeable materials and the water-retaining sheet can be easily performed without taking time even when performing the planting work by one person.
When the cuttings are cut from the surrounding plants to be cultivated for harvesting, the cultivated plants can be increased during the period of growing without growing space, which also contributes to reduction in work.
Further, by using a method of performing permanent planting using a breathable material with both sides of a plant in a state of being adhered to a water-retaining sheet material interposed therebetween, even when transplanting is performed in a state in which the plant height is slightly high and in a state in which an underground part develops to some extent, the permanent planting work can be easily performed.
Description of the symbols
101: a vertical hydroponic culture cylinder; 111: a slit; 102: a culture medium; 121: a water-retentive sheet; 121 a: a bent water-retentive sheet; 121 b: a tilting member; 122: a breathable material; 123: a breathable material; 103: a culture solution storage box; 104: a culture solution supply unit; 104 a: a culture medium supply tube; 104 b: dropping culture liquid into the lower opening; 104 c: a cock; 104 d: a drip hose; 141: a culture solution supply pump; 142: a flow regulation component; 142 a: an electrically operated valve; 142 b: a culture solution supply amount control unit; 142 c: a manual valve; 105: a culture fluid recovery assembly; 151: a drain pan; 152: a culture solution recycling circulating pump; 106: seedlings or seeds of the plant; 107: a culture solution; 108: a fixing assembly; 108 a: a hanging tube; 108 b: a suspension member; 109: a moisture content sensor; 109 a: a water content instrument; 109 b: a drain pan; 109 c: water-retaining raw materials; 110: a warming heater; 1: a culture medium; 11: a water-retentive sheet; 11 a: a bent water-retentive sheet; 11 b: a tilting member; 12: a breathable material; 13: a breathable material; 2: an outer frame; 21: a top plate portion; 3: a connecting member; 31: a binding band (connecting member); 32: an engaging claw (connecting member); 33: an engaging claw (connecting member); 4: a culture solution storage box; 5: a culture solution supply unit; 5 a: a culture medium supply tube; 5 b: dropping culture liquid into the lower opening; 5 c: a cock; 5 d: a drip hose; 51: a culture solution supply pump; 52: a flow regulation component; 52 a: an electrically operated valve; 52 b: a culture solution supply amount control unit; 52 c: a manual valve; 6: a culture solution; 7: a culture fluid recovery assembly; 71: a drain pan; 72: a culture solution recycling circulating pump; 8: seedlings or seeds of the plant; 9 a: a hanging tube; 9 b: a suspension member; 10: a fixing assembly; 14: a moisture content sensor; 14 a: a water content instrument; 14 b: a drain pan; 14 c: water-retaining raw materials; 15: a warming heater; 16: a guide member; 16 a: an upper end opening part; 16 b: a culture solution supply opening; 16 c: a light shielding wall; 16 d: a cover body; w: a gap.
Claims (14)
1. A vertical hydroponic system comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture section has one or more slits extending in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings extending in the longitudinal direction for planting the seedlings or seeds of the plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material in at least two directions of the vertical hydroponics culture section,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
2. A vertical hydroponic method comprising a vertical hydroponic cylinder suspended on a ceiling of a house or vertically disposed on the ground; culture medium contained in the vertical hydroponic culture cylinder in a pluggable manner; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the culture medium accommodating case to the culture medium,
the culture medium is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a gas-permeable material sandwiched between at least both surfaces of the sheet,
the vertical hydroponics culture section has one or more slits extending in the longitudinal direction or a plurality of openings extending in the longitudinal direction for planting the seedlings or seeds of the plant at a position including a boundary portion between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material in at least two directions of the vertical hydroponics culture section,
by dropping the culture medium from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet, seedlings or seeds of plants are cultured from the culture medium supplied to the water-retentive sheet.
3. A vertical hydroponic system comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply means for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material are provided in the vicinity of one edge of the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium is sandwiched from both sides of the breathable material, and the connection means detachably connects the two frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are コ -shaped or semicircular shape partially surrounding the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
4. The vertical hydroponic system as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means is constructed to detachably engage the two outer frames.
5. The vertical hydroponic system as defined in claim 3, wherein said connecting means is a binding tape for winding up at least one portion of the outer periphery of the two frames.
6. The vertical hydroponic method according to claim 2, wherein a cutting of a plant is established between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material.
7. The vertical hydroponic method according to claim 2, wherein the plants with roots stretched on the water-retentive sheet are planted while being sandwiched between the two air-permeable materials in a state of being attached to the water-retentive sheet.
8. A vertical hydroponic system comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, the pair of split-type outer frames are provided with one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material in the vicinity of both side edges of the water-retentive sheet, and sandwich the culture medium from both sides of the breathable material, the connection unit detachably connects the two outer frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are コ -shaped or semicircular shape partially surrounding the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
9. The vertical hydroponic system as defined in claim 8, wherein said connecting means is constructed to detachably engage the two outer frames.
10. The vertical hydroponic system as defined in claim 8, wherein said connecting means is a binding tape for winding up at least one portion of the outer periphery of the two frames.
11. A vertical hydroponic method comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply means for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material are provided in the vicinity of one edge of the water-retentive sheet, the culture medium is sandwiched from both sides of the breathable material, and the connection means detachably connects the two frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are formed into コ -shaped or semicircular shapes which partially surround the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
12. A vertical hydroponic method comprising a culture medium that is long in the longitudinal direction; a pair of divided outer frames; a connecting assembly; a solution storage tank; and a culture medium supply unit for supplying a culture medium from the solution storage tank to the culture medium, wherein the culture medium having a length in the longitudinal direction is composed of a water-retentive sheet and a breathable material for sandwiching at least both surfaces thereof, the pair of split-type outer frames are provided with one or more gaps for inserting a seedling or seed of a plant between the water-retentive sheet and the breathable material in the vicinity of both side edges of the water-retentive sheet, and sandwich the culture medium from both sides of the breathable material, the connection unit detachably connects the two outer frames to each other,
the cross sections of the two outer frames are formed into コ -shaped or semicircular shapes which partially surround the periphery of each air-permeable raw material with the gap left,
the culture medium is dropped from the culture medium supply unit to the water-retentive sheet.
13. The vertical hydroponic method as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein a cutting of a plant is established between the water-retentive sheet and the air-permeable material.
14. The vertical hydroponic method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the plants with roots stretched on the water-retentive sheet are planted while being sandwiched between the two air-permeable materials in a state of being attached to the water-retentive sheet.
Applications Claiming Priority (5)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2018019907A JP6463525B1 (en) | 2018-02-07 | 2018-02-07 | Vertical hydroponics system and vertical hydroponics method |
| JP2018-019907 | 2018-02-07 | ||
| JP2018-216523 | 2018-11-19 | ||
| JP2018216523 | 2018-11-19 | ||
| PCT/JP2019/004376 WO2019156150A1 (en) | 2018-02-07 | 2019-02-07 | Vertical hydroponics system and vertical hydroponics method |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| CN112020301A CN112020301A (en) | 2020-12-01 |
| CN112020301B true CN112020301B (en) | 2021-09-10 |
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| CN201980022028.6A Expired - Fee Related CN112020301B (en) | 2018-02-07 | 2019-02-07 | Vertical hydroponic culture system and vertical hydroponic culture method |
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| Country | Link |
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| CN (1) | CN112020301B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2019156150A1 (en) |
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| RU2716981C1 (en) * | 2019-11-20 | 2020-03-17 | Денис Владимирович Чаннов | Vertical bed |
| RU2746805C1 (en) * | 2020-07-10 | 2021-04-21 | Алексей Игоревич Аминов | Hydroponic plant growing device and growing system using this device |
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| CN2301846Y (en) * | 1997-08-07 | 1998-12-30 | 郑肇龙 | Full-automatic timing supplying water bud-cultivation apparatus |
| CN1973606A (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-06 | 三得利株式会社 | Plant cultivating unit and plant cultivating container |
| CN106413385A (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2017-02-15 | 富士通株式会社 | Hydroponic cultivation system, hydroponic cultivation method, plant cultivation method, and plant cultivation apparatus |
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| JPS57150325A (en) * | 1981-03-11 | 1982-09-17 | Chiyoda Nosan Kk | Cultivation method and apparatus |
| JPS61158726A (en) * | 1984-12-28 | 1986-07-18 | 黒岩 卓郎 | Three-dimensional hydroponioc method and floor |
| JPS61274630A (en) * | 1985-05-29 | 1986-12-04 | 強靭繊維興業株式会社 | Method and device for growing epiphyte |
| JPH01247023A (en) * | 1988-03-28 | 1989-10-02 | Satoshi Hosokawa | Plant cultivation cylinder and plant cultivation apparatus containing said cylinder |
| JPH0568440A (en) * | 1991-04-08 | 1993-03-23 | Emushiki Suiko Kenkyusho:Kk | Method for cultivating plant |
| US9380751B2 (en) * | 2009-08-03 | 2016-07-05 | University Of Wyoming | Vertical hydroponic plant production apparatus |
| JP2016034243A (en) * | 2014-08-01 | 2016-03-17 | 株式会社インタートレード | Hydroponic method and hydroponic apparatus of panax ginseng |
| WO2016081234A1 (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2016-05-26 | University Of Wyoming | Vertical hydroponic tower array fixture system |
| TW201622557A (en) * | 2014-12-26 | 2016-07-01 | 金寶生物科技股份有限公司 | Plant cultivation device |
-
2019
- 2019-02-07 WO PCT/JP2019/004376 patent/WO2019156150A1/en active Application Filing
- 2019-02-07 CN CN201980022028.6A patent/CN112020301B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN2301846Y (en) * | 1997-08-07 | 1998-12-30 | 郑肇龙 | Full-automatic timing supplying water bud-cultivation apparatus |
| CN1973606A (en) * | 2005-11-30 | 2007-06-06 | 三得利株式会社 | Plant cultivating unit and plant cultivating container |
| CN106413385A (en) * | 2014-01-24 | 2017-02-15 | 富士通株式会社 | Hydroponic cultivation system, hydroponic cultivation method, plant cultivation method, and plant cultivation apparatus |
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| CN112020301A (en) | 2020-12-01 |
| WO2019156150A1 (en) | 2019-08-15 |
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