GB2170688A

GB2170688A - Growing plants

Info

Publication number: GB2170688A
Application number: GB08602978A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Murray Colin Cameron
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-02-13
Filing date: 1986-02-06
Publication date: 1986-08-13
Also published as: GB2170688B; NZ211106A; GB8602978D0; AU581960B2; AU5327586A

Abstract

A body of plant growth material 1 (eg particulate perlite and sphagnum moss) is contained within an envelope 3 (eg of nylon mesh) and is supported by a tubular member 2. Liquid nutrient may be fed from a reservoir 4 via capillary tubes 5 and may be drained off through an apertured lower end portion of tube 6 into a container 12. The liquid nutrient may alternatively be recycled by a pump. The plants are inserted through slits made in the envelope. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hydronponic growing systems and rooting matrices therefor The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to hydroponic growing of plants and in particularto means and methods applicable thereto.

Hydroponicsarewell known asa meanswhereby plant nutrients can be continuously presented to a supported plant which is not dependent for its support on soil. Various techniques have been developed over the years and there is always a need for improved apparatus.

The present invention is directed to a rooting substrate for use in a hydroponic system comprising a body of a water permeable plant rooting material having disposed therethrough a structural member which atone end incapable of being supported to support the bulk of the water permeable body.

Preferably said structural member includes water channelling means at the other end to that end which is to be supported in ordertosupportboththe structural member and the body, said water channelling portion being adapted to receive excess water from the body and channel the same down beyond the body member.

Preferably said structural member is a tube and preferably the lower end of said tube is perforated or otherwise provided with meansto ailowthe entry of water into the tube from whence it can be channelled.

Preferably the upper end of the tube is provided with means for allowing the engagementthereofwith for example a rope.

Preferablythetopand bottom of said tube is adapted to be connected to a liquid nutrient container and a liquid collection container respectively.

In stiil a further aspect the invention consists in a rooting substrate for a hydroponic system comprising a body of water permeable plant rooting material disposed within an enveloping mesh.

Preferably the body is of perlite and a moss.

Preferably said rooting substrate includes said structural member.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a hydroponic system comprising a hanging cartridge in accordance with the present invention supported by the upper end of its structural member, the body portion at least being surrounded in a substantially water tight envelope save for the portions th rough which a plant emerges once planted, the roots of the plant being encouraged to grow in the body, means to collect plant nutrients below the cartridge from the liquid channelling portion thereof and means to feed liquid into upper regions of the body member.

Preferablythe body member isformed from perlite and sphagnum moss.

Preferably said water permeable material is a mixture of perlite and sphagnum moss. Obviously other moss forms and particle forms may be substituted instead.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a method of growing which involves operative use of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

The preferred from ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure lisa cross section of the view of a preferred cartridge for hanging hydroponic system showing in section a sectioned tube (preferably of a plastics material) having a perforated zonethereofdisposed within the body medium which will receive water permeating down through the body material so as to channel the same down into a containerorthe like disposed below or connected to the bottom end of the tube, the upper end of the tube showing how the same can both supportthe whole structure (for example, there an eyelet or other hole therethrough) and it will atthe sametime, if desired, act as a socketfor any water dispensing means disposed thereover.

Figure 2 showsthe arrangement as shown infigure 1 but not in section, the preferred body member being formed from particulate perlite and spanghum moss, Figure 3 shows the cartridge as shown infigure2 disposed within a plastic envelope or bag with plants rooting in through openings or slits in the envelope into the material,the upper end of the tubular member shown in figure 1 being supported buy a string, a nutrient source container disposed in the upper end of the tube but feeding via capilliarytubes into the upper regions ofthe body material through the envelope and showing at the other end howa liquid nutrient collecting container can if desired to clamped on the lower end of the tube, Figure 4 is a plan view from the outside of a substantially planarform of body material in accordance with the present invention and having disposed therein reinforcing material (preferably a mesh) which provides means which extends top and bottom for support engaging purposes, the body material or preferably portions of it being covered a much lighter mesh and, Figure 5 showsthe arrangement as shown in figure 4when conformed to, for example, a frusto-fusto conical figuration for disposition within, for example, a correspondingly shaped shell member substantially as disclosed in our U.S. PatentApplication No.

being filed simultaneously herewith.

The preferredform of the present invention is that shown in figure 1 where a body method of compacted, molded or otherwise contrained water permeable material (for example, a mixture of a sphagnum moss and perlite) is prepared about a tube 2. The body material 1 is preferably formed into the sausage like shape so that an enclosing envelope 3 can effectively protect the top and bottom ends thereof against evaporation yet nevertheless allowthe feeding of nutrient material into the upper regionsthereoffrom, for example, a feed container4supported by hanging or preferably by a socket like engagement 13 in the upper end of the tube 2. Such a container 4 is placed in fluid communication with the body portion 1 by a plurality of capilliaryorthe liketubes 5.The water permeable material is preferably held from without by a fine mesh e.g. of nylon.

The lower region of the tube 2 is preferably perforated or otherwise provided with means to enablethe channelling of excess liquid nutrient material down into the confines of the zone 6 and from thence out of the end 7 preferably into a collection bottle 12 or an alternative e.g. a bucket.

The envelope 3 which preferably encloses the body portion 1 is preferably provided with any necessary openings to allow plants 8to protrude therethrough.

It is envisaged that the envelope would be fitted and plants would be inserted rootwisethrough any openings being made or opened for that purpose. The fineperlite/moss holding mesh can if need becutfor planting as required for any opening aboutto be used.

In other preferred forms of the present invention a planar or substantially planar member9 is provided about a mesh (preferablyformed of a plastics material as is preferablythe tube too). This confers a degree of reinforcement and atthesametimeallowsthe provision of ends 10 and 11 respectively as seen in figure5. Preferably also a much lighter (for example, nylon mesh) mesh surrounds the body material 9. It is envisaged thatthe shaped product can be inserted within an envelone preferably of a self supporting material and other kinds substantially as disclosed in my new patent specification being filed simultaneously herewith.

While reference is being made to bottle and containersfordispensing and collecting liquid nutrientmaterials itshould be realisedthata pumping system as such can be provided. For example, a collecting tankfrom which the liquid nutrient can be returned into the upper reaches of the body member 1 could be disposed below the bottom opening 7.

It is envisaged thatthe envelope 3 is of any suitable plastics material.

Preferably the body member 1 is preferably disposed within a fine mesh material preferably of nylon.

This means thereforethatthe formed shaped about the supporting tube 2 has the required integrity and if preformed slots orthe like are provided in the envelope3 a simple slitting ofthe enveloping mesh is all that is needed to enablethe positioning of plant roots into contactwith the perlite and sphagnum moss proper.

It is believed that the cartridges in accordance with the present invention should find widespread acceptance.

Claims

1. A rooting substrate for use in a hydroponic system comprising a body ofwater permeable plant rooting material having disposed therethrough an elongate structural member which at or near one end is capable of being supported to in turn supportthe water permeable body.

2. A rooting substrate as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said plant rooting material is disposed within an enveloping mesh, or other rupturable or preruptured substance e.g. ruptu rable plastic.

3. A rooting substrate as claimed in Claim 1 or2 wherein said elongate structural member includes liquid channelling means atthe otherend to that end which isto be supported in orderto support boththe structural member and the body, said liquid channelling portion being adapted to receive excess liquid from the body and channel the same down beyond the body member.

4. A rooting substrate as claimed in Claim 3 wherein said structural member isatubewith the lower end of said tube perforated or otherwise provided with means to allowthe entry of liquid into the tube from whence it can be channelled.

5. A rooting substrate as claimed in Claim 4 wherein thetop and bottom of said tube is adapted to be connected to a liquid nutrient container and a liquid collection container respectively.

6. A rooting substrate as claimed in Claim 1 surrounded by a substantially watertight envelope save portions through which plants are to emerge in use.

7. A hydroponic system comprising a rooting substrate comprising a body of water permeable plant rooting material having disposed therethroughastructural memberwhichatornear one end is supported or is supportable to hang and supportthe water permeable body, such structural member including liquid channelling means at and/or near its other end adapted to receive excess liquid from the body and channel the same down beyond the body member, the body portion at least being surrounded bya substantially watertight envelope save forthe portions through which any plants are to emerge once planted, means to collect plant nutrients belowthe liquid channelling portion of said structural member and means to feed liquid into upper regions of the body member.

8. Asystem as claimed in Claim 7 wherein said structural member is a tube having its lower end perforated to allow liquid entryfrom the body thereinto.