University of Strathclyde

Albright & Wilson Limited

Robert A Szmidt

Neil B Graham

Ralph Christie Kirkwood

Andrew A Davidson

a porous solid material for plant propagation which includes granules of a porous expanded mineral, such as perlite or vermiculite, distributed within a porous, open-cell foamed hydrophilic water-retentive polyurethane matrix. The material may be molded into sheets of break-off units for seed germination and propagation.

Porous solid material

The invention provides a method of plant growing in which method one or more plants are grown in a growing medium comprising hydrogel particles charged with aqueous nutrient solution for the plant and plants, the growing medium being housed in a substantially water-impermeable container and the plants extending out of the container, and, when the water content within the hydrogel particles falls below a predetermined level, introducing further nutrient solution into the container.

Plant growth media comprising cross-linked hydrogel particles

Hydroponic substrates are disinfected in situ, prior to a crop production cycle, with a dilute aqueous solution containing hydrogen peroxide and at least one peracid having a ##STR1## group.

Growing community of inventors

Ayr, United Kingdom

Robert A Szmidt