PLANT GROWTH SYSTEM AND MEDIUM

摘要

A plant growth system and medium employs a manmade mineral fiber-based growth medium that includes from about 40% to about 99.5% man-made mineral fiber interspersed with from about 0.5% to about 60% by weight pieces of natural or synthetic open cell foam. The foam includes from about 5 to about 50 pores per square inch. Additives in the form of nutrients, fungi, and bacteria are included. Water is supplied to plants by flood and drain watering during plant growth in the medium. EC is maintained within a range of about 0.5 mS/cm to about 2.500 mS/cm and pH is maintained within a range of about 5.6 to about 5.8.

主权项

1. A method for enhancing plant growth in a plant growth medium, comprising the steps of:
a. preparing a plant growth medium including quantities of man-made mineral fiber interspersed substantially uniformly with pieces of a reticulated foam material, wherein the plant growth medium includes from 40% to 99.5% man-made mineral fiber by weight and from 0.5% to 60% foam material pieces by weight, and wherein the foam material includes from 5 to 50 pores per square inch; b. adding quantities of plant nutrients, fungus, and bacteria to a quantity of water to form a plant nutrient solution having an electrical conductivity of 0.500 mS/cm to 3.500 mS/cm, and adjusting the pH to between 4.0 and 8.0; c. pretreating the plant growth medium by submersion in the plant nutrient solution for at least 24 hours; d. draining excess nutrient solution from the plant growth medium to a reservoir and adjusting the electrical conductivity to between 0.500 mS/cm and 3.500 mS/cm and adjusting the pH to between 4.0 and 8.0; e. planting a cutting or seedling in a container including a quantity of the plant growth medium; f. applying a quantity of the plant nutrient solution to the plant stem sufficient to drain from the container; g. waiting a period of time for the solution to be absorbed by the plant; h. flooding a portion of the pot from below with a quantity of the nutrient solution, and allowing the nutrient solution to drain into a reservoir; i. adjusting the electrical conductivity of the reservoir solution to between 0.500 mS/cm and 3.500 mS/cm and adjusting the pH to between 4.0 and 8.0; and j. repeating steps (h) and (i) to repeatedly flood and drain the pot until the plant has grown to a desired size.