Rockwool International A/s

Frank Hendrikus Peter Janssen

Jacob Frank De Groot

Erling Lennart Hansen

Lars Naerum

Jean Marie Wilhelmus Cuypers

Daan Louis De Kubber

Eelke Gjalt Hempenius

Daan De Kubber

Paul Jacques L H Bouwens

P J L H Bouwens

Poul Nissen

A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided. The substrate has properties including a volume of 3 to 20 litres, two layers of differing density, and the use of an organic binder selected from formaldehyde free binders. This is found to provide a substrate which allows excellent control of the water and/or nutrient contents within the substrate when used for plant growth.

Plant growth substrates

The invention relates to a coherent propagation growth substrate product () formed of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF), the product () having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and at least one cavity () which is open at the top surface and which extends from the top surface towards the bottom surface, wherein a superabsorbent polymer () is provided in the cavity ().

Method for growing plants

A plant growth system is provided, which includes: one or more plant growth substrates comprising an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block; one or more detectors arranged to monitor at least one of the water and nutrient levels of at least one of the plant growth substrates; at least one irrigation device arranged to supply water and nutrients to the plant growth substrates; and control mechanism connected to said detectors and said at least one irrigation device. The supply of water and nutrients by the at least one irrigation device is controlled by the control mechanism in dependence on the monitored water and/or nutrient levels. In this manner, the water and nutrient levels of the substrates can be accurately controlled.

Plant growth system

A plant growth system is provided in which an irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to a plant growth substrate. The plant growth substrate comprises an MMVF slab and a single MMVF block on a first surface of the MMVF slab. The MMVF slab comprises a drain hole which is disposed at one end of the surface, and the irrigation device provides water and/or nutrients to the substrate at a position more than 50% of the length of the slab away from the drain hole. This improves the control of water an nutrients in the slab as a whole.

Growing community of inventors

ES Helden, Netherlands

Frank Hendrikus Peter Janssen