GB2473218A

GB2473218A - Growing medium incorporating rubber particles

Info

Publication number: GB2473218A
Application number: GB0915333A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ray Lodge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-09-03
Filing date: 2009-09-03
Publication date: 2011-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-03
Also published as: GB2473218B; GB0915333D0

Abstract

A growing medium is disclosed which includes a mixture of a first material, and a second material, wherein the first material is rubber particles with embedded fibres (which may be derived from tyres or belting), the particles having maximum size of 25mm, and the second material is an at least partly decayed organic material. The organic material may include peat.

Description

The: Growing Medium DeecrlDtlon of Invention This invention relates to a horticultural growing medium of the kind which is sold as seed compost for the sowing of seeds, and/or cutting compost for the propagation of cuttings, and/or potting compost or another growing medium.

A typical known grovilng medium Includes a mixture of organic matter, often derIved from turf, a filler such as sand, and peat. Fertilizer Is added to some mixes, for example Osmacote (Registered Trade Mark) or alternatively for examples only, bone meal (by which term I include meal derived from animal hoof and horn), and/or superphosphate and/or potassium sulphate in proportions appropriate for the growing medium use.

Despite all possible care and attention, because the nature of the organic matter and/or of the -is variable depending upon Its source, there Is some variation In the quality of typical growing medium from batch to batch.

Particularly when using growing medium for experimental use, for example in growIng genetically modified crops, for valid comparisons, consistency of the growing medium is vital and for the reason set out above, the desired consIstency cannot easily be attained. Also it is environmentally desirable at leastto reducetheuseofpeat it is known from for example UK Patent 2244988 to use a mixture of rubber crumb and fibres, preferably obtained from recycled disintegrated vehicle tyres, rubber balling and the like, as an addition to a growing medium e.g. the mixture is applied as a turf reinforcement According to the invention I provide a growing medium which includes a mixture of a first material, and a second material, wherein the first material Is rubber particles with embedded fibres, the particles having maximum size of 25mm, and the second material Is an at least partly decayed organic material By replacing at least some of the peat of a conventional growing medium with the rubber particles with embedded fibres, the growing medium of the present invention can be produced with greater consistency, and by providing rubber particles with embedded fibres, rather than rubber crumb, a light growing medIum suitable hr multifarious purposes can be produced relatively economically.

The growing medium Is more environmentally friendly than known growing mediums, as the first material may be provided from a recycled product i.e. the first material may be derived from vehicle tyres and/or conveyor or rubber betting or other rubber waste which Includes fibres, and the growing medium may be made peatfree.

The fibres In the rubber particles usefully retain moisture whilst the rubber ftseif serves to provide the growing medium with a lighter texture than soil I.e. the rubber particles provide the same function as -.

The first materlai may account for between 10% and 50% of the volume of the growing medium, and preferably no more than 40% by volume of the growing medIum, and yet more preferably no more than 30% by volume of the growing medium.

Although the first material Inevitably will contain some small particies, with may or not contain embedded fibres, desirably at least 80% by weight of the first material is provided by particles having a maximum size in the range 10mm to 25mm.

in a preferred embodiment, the at least partly decayed organic material (I.e.

the second material) accounts for at least 33% of the volume of the growing medium.

The at least partly decayed organic material may Include any suitable material, and may for example Include some, -or may be all peat, but desirably to maintain the minimum -usage, the second materiaL Includes at least some composted organic waste matter.

However as desired, the growing medium may be peat-free.

The growing medium may Include some fertilizer as required, depending on the eventual use of the growing medium Le. chemicals which provide Nitrogen for top growth, and/or Phosphates for root growth and/or Potash for flowering and fruiting and as required, trace elements for optimal growth, and/colour and/or flavour. The fertilizer may Include some limestone.

The growing medium may Include a third material which Is a filler.

The fIller may be provided by any material suitable for providing a physical conditioner and to ensure that excess water can readily drain through the growing medium. For example the filler may be or Include sand, or if desired, where a lIghter weIght growing medium is required, the filer, or at least a proportIon of the filler material, may be a lighter material than sand, such as vermiculite or even sawdust for examples only.

The rubber particles material, by virtue of the size of the, or at least a majority of the rubber particles, will provide for good drainage and air circulation In the growing medium to encourage an open root structure, which Is a role otherwise performed by filler.

Where the rubber particles with embedded fibres first material is derived from metal reinforced vehicle tyres, metal reinforced conveyor or other reinforced rubber belting or other rubber waste which includes metal reinforcement, during disintegration of the rubber waste, if metal is present, this would need to be removed.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the

following examples.

Example 1

A growing medium for general use was prepared with about 1/3 by volume of the growing medium being provided by particles of rubber with embedded fibres derived from disintegrated tyres and/or fibre reinforced rubber belting1 with any metal removed.

The fibres were synthetic textile such as Nylon, Rayon or polypropylene for examples. The particles of rubber had a maximum size predominantly i.e. at least 80% by weight, within the size range 10mm to 25mm.

The growing medium otherwise included a filler, accounting for about 1/3 of the volume of the growing medium, the fifler being sand, and about 1/3 at least partly decayed organic matter such as composted organic waste.

The three materials i.e. the rubber particles with embedded fibres, the at least partly decayed organic matter and the filler were mixed into an homogenous mixture.

Some fertilizer was added to the other materials in the form of slow release pellets of Osmacote.

In a modified material, at least some of the sand filler was replaced by a lighter tiller such as vermiculite, and/or at least some of the partly decayed organic material included some peat.

ErnP�Q The growing medium of Example I was prepared but no peat was used, all of the at least partly decayed organic material being provided by decomposed waste food and/or vegetable matter to at least 1/3 of the volume of the growing medium. Thus the growing medium was peat-free.

lnstead of Osmacote fertilizer pellets, the fertilizer included ground limestone, bone meal, superphosphate and potassium sulphate in the proportions (by weight):-about 16% ground limestone about 33% bone meal (which term includes hoof and horn meal) about 33% superphosphate (monocalcium phosphate) about 16% potassium sulphate to a total of in the order of between about 3 and 7kg per cubic metre of the other materials depending upon the eventual usage of the growing medium.

Examole 3 The growing medium of Example I was prepared but the amount of rubber particles with embedded fibres was reduced to around 10% by volume of the growing medium, with the remaining volume being made up by increasing the volumes of filler and at least partly decayed organic mailer.

Example 4

The growing medium of Example 1 was produced, but the volume of rubber particles with embedded fibres was increased to in the order of 40% or near of the volume of the growing medium, with still about 1/3 of the volume being provided by at least partly decayed organic matter (preferably peat-free), with the remaining volume being made up by filler and some fertilizer.

Example 5

A growing medium was prepared which included about 50% by volume of rubber particles as in the previous examples, and about 50% by volume of at least partly decayed organic matter. No fertilizer was added, but this could have been added as required.

The at least partly decayed organic matter was peat-free and the resultant growing medium was found to be particularly suitable for use for containerised plant growing, and roof gardens.

If desired, the volume of rubber particles material could be reduced to 40% and the volume of at least partly decayed organic matter increased to 60%.

A growing medium was prepared as in Example 5, but the at least partly decayed organic matter was entirely made up of peat. The resultant growing medium, which could be reproduced with great consistency, was designed particularly but not exclusively for use in scientific testing, for providing a consistent growing medium for comparative plant growth studies.

For each of the Examples variations are possible. For example, for the growing medium prepared as Example 1, If this Is destined for use for growIng hum seed, ft may be desirable not to include any fertilizer. My of the examples which are described as peat4ree, may Include some peat as part of the volume of at least partly decayed organic material, or any example described as IncludIng -may be made peat-free.

In the examples of Example 5 and 6,11 desIred some filler may be added to replace at least some of the rubber particles material and/or at least partlyto replace some of the at least partly decayed organic material.

The fillers described, e.g. sand and vermiculite are only exemplary. in another example, where filler Is provided, the filler may be any suitable filling material or mixture of fillIng materials, for example Including sawdust The features disclosed In the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed In their specifIc forms or In terms of a means for performing the dIsclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combInation of such features, be utlllsed for realislng the invention in dIverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A growing medium which Includes a mixture of a first material and a second material, wherein the first material Is rubber particles with embedded fibres, the particles having maximum size of 25mm, and the second material is an at least partly decayed organic material.
2. A growing medium according to claim I wherein the first material Is derived from vehicle tyres and/or conveyor or rubber belting or other rubber waste which Includes fibres.
3. A growing medium according to claim I or claim 2 whereIn the first material accounts for between 10% and 50% of the volume of the growIng medium.
4. A growing medium according to ciaim 3 whereIn the first material accounts for no more than 40% by volume of the growing medium.
5. A growing medium according to claim 4 whereIn the first material accounts for no more than 30% by volume of the growing medium.
6. A growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least 80% by weight of the first material Is provided by particles having a maximum size In the range 10mm to 25mm.
7. A growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least partly decayed organic material accounts for at least 33% of the volume of the growing medium.
8. A growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the at least partly decayed organic material includes psat.
9. A growing medium according to claim B wherein the at least partly decayed organic material is all or substantially all peat.
10. A growing medium according to any one of claims Ito 8 wher&n the at [east partly decayed organic matter includes composted organic waste matter.
11. A growing medium according to any one of claims I to 7 wherein the material is peat-free.
12. A growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims which additionally includes fertilizer.
13. A growing medium according to claim 12 wherein the fertilizer includes limestone.
14. A growing medium according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the medium includes a third material which is a filler.
15. A growing medium according to claim 14 wherein the third material includes sand.
16. A growing medium according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the third material includes vermiculite.
17. A growing medium according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the third material includes sawdust.
18. A growing medium substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the examples given.
19. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein.