Plant propagation system and apparatus

12 Pages·2013·1.36 MB·English

Umted States Patent [191 [11] Patent Number: 4,669,217
Fraze [45] Date of Patent: Jun. 2, 1987
[54] PLANT PROPAGATION SYSTEM AND [57] ABSTRACT
APPARATUS A modular plant propagation system and apparatus
nventor: aymon . raze, an amon, uti izes a irst or ower reservoir contaimn a l m
Calif. plant nutrient in ?uid communication with a second or
[73] Assignee: Aeroponics, Associates-1983 Ltd., upper reseFYmr m which a plant propagan?“ suPport
‘Hayward’ Calif module utilizes a sterile, low water retention, linear
foam plastic providing ?uid communication between
[21] APPl- N01 699,842 the exterior and interior of the second or upper reser
[22] Filed; Feb_ 8’ 1985 tvoir. The nutrielrlit ?uid in the ?rst nutrient reservoir is
orced up into t e second reservoir by compressed gas
Related Us. Application Data for predetermined cyclesfand pelriods of time to provige
_ , , nutrients to t e roots 0 the p ants supported by t e
[63] fgxmuanon'm'part of Ser‘ No’ 552’688’ Nov‘ 17’ linear foam plant propagation support module. A com
puter is used to control air and root temperatures, hu
[51] Int. Cl.4 .......................... .1 ................ .. A01G 31/00 midity, nutrient quality’ nutrient cycling rate and level
[52] Cl. ............................ .. 47/64; 47/59 in the ?rst and Second reservoirs and utilizes an image
[58] Field of Search ................. .. 47/17, 64, 60, 61, 62, recognition apparatus to measure plant growth rate and
47/63’ 59’ 56; 137/209; 261/D'IG' 7 produce maturity or ripeness to achieve optimum or
[56] References Cited maximum growth rate potential for the plant being
propagated.
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
A self-containing nutrient plant propagation module
3,456,386 7/1969 Holden .................................. .. 47/56
utilizes a sterile, low water retention, linear foam plastic
3,877,172 4/ 1975 Schwab et a1. . ........... .. 47/64
in which generally parallel, elongated interconnecting
3,877,358 4/1975 Karr .............. .. 26l/DIG. 7
cellular channels provide ?uid communication from the
3,929,397 12/1975 Aronson . ....... .. 137/209
4,211,034 7/1980 Piesner 47/59 top of the module to the bottom of the module in which
4,255,896 3/1981 Carl ....................................... .. 47/82 is uniformly disbursed a comminuted, water soluble,
Primary Examiner-Robert A. Hafer time release plant nutrient.
Assistant Examiner-—Bradley M. Lewis
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-George W. Wasson 6 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures
US. Patent _Jun.2, 1987 Sheetl of4 4,669,217
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COMPUTER AND
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U. S. Patent Jun. 2, 1987 Sheet 2 of 4 4,669,217
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U. S. Patent Jhn.2, 1987 Sheet4 of4 4,669,217
l l
4,669,217
1 2
Thus, the sterilization of the apparatus of the prior art
PLANT PROPAGATION SYSTEM AND and the nutrient solution could not be corrected except
APPARATUS by tedious and expensive ?ushing or removal of all of
the infected plant support media.
This application is a continuation-in-part of applica Furthermore, the prior art hydroponic and aeroponic
tion Ser. No. 06/552,688 ?led Nov. 17, 1984. apparatus were all concerned only with the plant nutri—
ent and plant support aspects of plant growth and were
BACKGROUND OF THE PRIOR ART
not concerned with total plant environment and control
This invention relates generally to plant propagation for maximum growth potential of the particular plant
devices and in particular to hydroponic and aeroponic being propogated.
plant propagation devices and to seed germination and
plant propagation support media including self-con SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
tained nutrient plant support media incorporating a The plant propagation system and apparatus of the
plant nutrient. present invention comprises, basically, a ?rst nutrient
The hydroponic and aeroponic plant growing appa 5 reservoir disposed below a second nutrient reservoir,
ratus of the prior art is varied and quite extensive. means for ?uidly communicating the ?rst reservoir with
Some prior art apparatus utilizes horizontally dis the second reservoir, a plant propagation module in
posed tubular containers through which a nutrient ?uid fluid communication with the second reservoir, the
is adapted to ?ow about plant containing cups which module comprising a generally low water retention,
are installed in holes in the walls of the tubular contain porous material having a plurality of elongated, inter
ers. connecting cellular channels providing ?uid communi
The tubular containers are mounted parallel to each cation between the exterior of the second reservoir and
other in either a vertical or horizontal array and are means for periodically transferring liquid nutrient from
serially connected by conduits. The nutrient ?uid is the ?rst to the second reservoir and back again to the
pumped serially through the horizontally arrayed con ?rst reservoir.
tainers or allowed to ?ow by gravity through the verti The plant propagation system and apparatus further
cally arrayed containers, serially from top to bottom. comprises a computer, a nutrient testing means having
The various prior art seed germination and plant its output data communicated to the computer, means
propagation support devices or media generally utilize for measuring temperature and humidity both inside
an organic media such as peat moss incorporating a and outside the greenhouse also connected to the com
binder and a fertilizer or an inorganic media such as puter, means for measuring and controlling nutrient
sand, gravel or a comminuted plastic material or inert temperature connected to the computer, means for
mineral material. heating and cooling greenhouse air and controlling
Some plant support media utilize randomly intercon humidity connected to the computer, means for measur
necting cellular plastic material incorporating a commi ing plant growth connected to the computer and means
nuted plant nutrient disbursed throughout the media. for controlling the total plant environment to achieve
Much of the prior art hydroponic and aeroponic maximum or optimum plant growth potential.
apparatus failed to provide for greater control over the The plant growing module comprises, basically, a
amount of time the plant roots were exposed to the generally’rigid, water impervious housing having a pair
liquid nutrient and the amount of time the plant roots of openings at opposite ends thereof, a chemically neu
were exposed to air, a gas or mixture of gases. tral, generally water insoluble, plant support media
In addition, the prior art hydroponic and aeroponic disposed within the housing comprising a generally low
apparatus failed to provide for testing of the nutrient water retention, porous material having a plurality of
?uid for harmful anaerobic bacteria or other harmful elongated, interconnecting cellular channels providing
organisms until the plant was too seriously infected to 45 ?uid communication between the pair of openings at
apply corrective action. opposite ends of the housing and containing a seed
Also, the prior art hydroponic and aeroponic appara proximate the middle of the module.
tus of the prior art failed to allow for sterilization of the The self-contained nutrient plant growing module
apparatus and system without having to destroy or comprises, basically, a chemically neutral, generally
remove the plants being propogated. water insoluble, plant support media comprising a gen
In most cases, where sand, gravel or the like were erally low water retention, porous material having a
used as the plant support or propagation media, correc plurality of elongated, generally parallel, interconnect
tive action required sterilization of the entire media ing cellular channels providing ?uid communication
from the outset. With sand, gravel or other mineral generally linearly from top to bottom of the media and
material, sterilization was a tedious and expensive pro containing a water soluble, time release, comminuted
cedure. plant nutrient homgeneously distributed throughout the
Where the plant support media utilizes a randomly porous material and containing a seed proximate the
interconnected cellular plastic material, although the middle thereof.
material was initially sterile, its water retention charac It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to
teristics were relatively high such that some of the nu provide a plant propagation system and apparatus.
trient ?uid would remain in the same cells for long It is a further object of the present invention to pro
periods of time. If unwanted anaerobic bacteria were vide a plant propagation system and apparatus that is
inadvertently introduced into the nutrient, the stagnant computer controlled to achieve optimum or maximum
material in the cells would become a breeding ground plant growth potential.
for the bacteria or other harmful organisms which 65 It is still a further object of the present invention to
could not be completely ?ushed out all of the cells of provide a plant propagation system and apparatus in
the randomly interconnecting cellular plant support which the parameters of plant growth rate and matu
media. rity, nutrient temperature, plant exposure to nutrient
4,669,217
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time, air temperature, air humidity and nutrient quality tion shown containing a mature plant stalk and root
are controlled by a computer to achieve optimum or system.
maximum plant growth potential. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the
It is yet a further object of the present invention to typical plant propagation module of the present inven
measure plant growth rate and produce maturity utiliz tion showing the method of hermetically sealing the
ing computer image recognition techniques. module for shipping and storing.
It is another object of the present invention to pro FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a further embodiment
vide a plant propagation system and apparatus utilizing of the plant propagation module of the present inven
a two-reservoir nutrient system in which nutrient is tion utilizing a ?at slab of linear foam plastic as the plant
periodically transported from a ?rst reservoir to a sec support media.
ond reservoir containing the roots of the plant being FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional, elevational view showing
propagated and back to the ?rst reservoir whereby the the method of installing the plant propagation module
plant roots are cyclically exposed to the nutrient solu shown in FIG. 11 in the upper plant nutrient reservoir
tion and to a gas or gases in a generally closed or sealed housing.
system free of anaerobic bacteria or other harmful or 5 FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the
ganisms. self-contained nutrient plant propagation module of the
It is still another object of the present invention to present invention.
provide a plant propagation system and apparatus that
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
can be completely ?ushed of nutrient and anaerobic or
EMBODIMENT
other harmful bacteria or organisms without the re
moval of the plant propagation support media or the With reference to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a sche
plants being propagated. matic diagram of the overall plant propagation system
It is yet another object of the present invention to and apparatus 10 of the present invention comprising,
provide a sterile seed germination media. basically, a ?rst or lower nutrient reservoir 12 and a
25
It is another object of the present invention to pro second or upper nutrient reservoir 14 in ?uid communi
vide a plant propagation support module utilizing a cation with ?rst reservoir 12 by means of conduit 16.
linear foam plastic having elongated, generally parallel Several plant propagation modules 18 containing
interconnecting cellular channels. plants 19 are adapted to be in ?uid communication with
It is yet another object of the present invention to the interior of second nutrient reservoir 14.
‘ provide a self-contained nutrient plant propagation A nutrient supply tank 20 is in ?uid communication
module utilizing a linear foam plastic in which is dis with ?rst reservoir 12 through conduits 22 and 24 to
persed a comminuted, water-soluble, time release nutri provide nutrient solution 26 in ?rst nutrient reservoir 12
ent. for pumping up to second nutrient nutrient reservoir 14.
These and other objects of the present invention will Two conduits are used so that as old nutrient is being
35
become manifest upon study of the following detailed removed from one end of ?rst nutrient reservoir 12,
description when taken together with the drawings. fresh nutrient is pumped into the other end of ?rst nutri
ent reservoir 12 to avoid creating a pressure difference
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
within reservoir 12 which would allow outside air to
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall plant enter the reservoir housing.
propagation system and apparatus of the present inven If a liquid fungicide is to be used, a fungicide pump
tion. and supply tank 21 is arranged to be in ?uid communi
FIG. 2 is an elevational, partial cut-away side view of cation with lower reservoir 12 through conduit 23.
the two-reservoir plant propagation apparatus of the Fungicide pump and supply tank 21 is also electrically
present invention. ' 45 connected to computer and data processor controller 80
FIG. 3 is an elevational, cross-sectional view of the in order to control the ?ow of fungicide into nutrient
two-reservoir plant propagation apparatus of FIG. 2 reservoir 12 to prevent the growth of harmful organ
taken at lines 3-3. isms on the roots of the plants 19 contained in upper
FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a typical plant propa reservoir 14.
gation module with installation collar used in the two 50 A conduit 30 connects ?rst nutrient reservoir 12 with
reservoir plant propagation apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3. compressed gas tank 32. The ?ow of compressed gas
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a typical plant propa from tank 32 is controlled by solenoid valve 34.
gation module of the present invention. A nutrient testing means 38 is also connected in ?uid
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the communication with ?rst nutrient reservoir 12 by
typical plant propagation module of the present inven 55 means of conduits 40 and 42.
tion showing the cellular channel arrangement of the A nutrient temperature transducer 46 is located in
low water retention, porous plant propagation material ?rst reservoir 12 to measure nutrient temperature.
of the present invention. A ?rst nutrient reservoir level transducer indicator 48
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the is also mounted in ?rst reservoir 12 to measure the level
typical plant propagation module of the present inven 60 of nutrient therein.
tion shown with a typical ungerminated seed contained A second nutrient level transducer indicator 50 is
therein. mounted in second nutrient reservoir 14 to measure the
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the nutrient level in that reservoir.
typical plant propagation module of the present inven A nutrient heating element 54 is also mounted inside
tion shown with a newly germinated seed contained 65 ?rst nutrient reservoir 12 to maintain the nutrient 26 at
therein. a constant temperature or at various predetermined
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the temperatures during the growing cycle as determined
typical plant propagation module of the present inven by the plant growth and maturation characteristics.
4,669,217
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An air temperature transducer 58, a light level trans as well as controlling the parameters of differential
ducer 60 and a humidity detector transducer 62 are all plant growth rate, air temperature, light level, air hu
located within the greenhouse or the area proximate midity, nutrient temperature and nutrient quality, gas
plant propagation modules 18 in second reservoir 14. exposure to the root system, optimum or maximum
An additional air temperature transducer 64 and hu plant growth rate and produce maturation potential can
midity transducer 66 are located outside the green be achieve. '
house as indicated by dashed line 68 schematically With respect to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a more
marking the extent of the the greenhouse shelter or detailed elevational, partial cut-away view of the two
closed environment for plant propagation modules 18 in reservoir plant propagation apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
order to compare exterior to interior growing parame First nutrient reservoir 12 comprises, basically, a
ters. cylindrical pipe or housing 110 having end caps 112 and
A light source 70 is also mounted within the green 114 to hermetically seal the pipe.
house proximate plant propagation modules 18. Pipe 110 can comprise a polyvinylchloride or other
An air heating device 72 is also mounted within the non-phytotoxic plastic of suf?cient size to store the
green house in order to maintain air temperature at a necessary volume of nutrient desired for periodically
predetermined level or levels. nurturing the plants in second nutrient reservoir 14.
A motor driven vent mounted in the greenhouse roof Conduit 30, in ?uid communication with compressed
is used to vary the atmospheric conditions within the gas tank 32, is also in ?uid communication with ?rst
greenhouse depending upon exterior and interior tem nutrient reservoir 12 and is connected to pipe or hous
perature and humidity differentials. 20 ing 110 by an airtight seal ?tting 116.
A computer and data processor controller 80, utiliz A controlled ori?ce bleed valve 118 is also mounted
ing a cathode ray screen (CRT) console 82 and key in pipe or housing 110 to provide a-controlled bleeding
board 84, is used to measure and control the parameters of gas out of pipe or housing 110. Bleed valve 118 can
affecting growing conditions. also be provided with a one-way valve to permit gas to
Plant growth rate and produce maturation rate are 25 escape from pipe or housing 110 and prevent air or
measured by an image transducer 86 which converts the gases outside housing 110 from entering housing 110
plant image to digital data for measuring differential and maintain its closed or sealed condition.
plant growth and maturation rate is also connected to Conduit, 16 which ?uidly communicates ?rst nutrient
computer and data processor controller 80 through reservoir 12 with second nutrient reservoir 14, is her
relays 102 and 104, respectively. 30 metically sealed to pipe or housing 110 of ?rst nutrient
In addition, interior temperature transducer 58, inte reservoir 12 by seal member 120 and to pipe or housing
rior light level transducer 60, interior humidity trans 130 of second reservoir 14 by seal member 122.
ducer 62, exterior temperature transducerv64, exterior It will be noted that the bottom end 124 of conduit 16
humidity transducer 66, ?rst nutrient level transducer is located proximate the bottom of pipe or housing 110
48, second nutrient level transducer 50, nutrient temper while the top end 126 of conduit 16 is located proximate
ature transducer 46, nutrient test device 38 and nutrient the bottom portion of pipe or housing 130 of reservoir
supply tank 20 are all connected to computer and data 14.
processor controller 80. Second or upper reservoir 14 comprises a generally
Further, light source 70, air heater 72, motor oper cylindrical pipe or housing 130 ?tted with end caps 132
ated vent 74, nutrient heater 54 and solenoid valve com 40 and 134 to hermetically seal the pipe ends.
pressed gas control 34 are all connected to electric A number of plant propagation modules 18 are‘
power source 90. They are, however, also controlled by mounted in the top surface of pipe or housing 130 of
computer and data processor controller 80 through upper or second nutrient reservoir 14 with a blank mod
various relays. In particular, nutrient heater 54 is con ule 136 provided with a cap 138 which can be removed
trolled by relay 92, light source 70 is controlled by relay for inspection of the interior of pipe or housing 130 and
94, air heater 72 is controlled by relay 96, solenoid valve be used as an opening for providing replacement nutri
34 is controlled by relay 98, and air vent 74 is controlled ent if nutrient supply tank 120 is not used.
by relay 100. With reference to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a cross
A pair of compressed gas tanks 33 and 35, respec sectional, elevational view of the ?rst and second nutri
tively, are arranged to be ?uidly connected to solenoid 50 ent reservoir configuration of FIG. 2 taken at lines 3-—3.
valves 37 and 39, respectively, through conduits 41 and With speci?c reference to conduit 16, it will be noted
43. Both solenoid valves 37 and 39 are ?uidly connected that a hole 140 tangent the inside surface of housing 130
to upper reservoir 14 through conduit 45. is provided proximate top end 126 of conduit 16 in order
Solenoid valves 37 and 39 are also electrically con to provide a drain for all of the nutrient from upper
nected to computer and data processor controller 80. nutrient reservoir 14 down to lower nutrient reservoir
By ?lling compressed gas tank 33 with, for example, 12.
carbon dioxide gas, and tank 35 with, for example, oxy To operate the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,
gen gas, the ratio of the gas mixture to the plant root with compressed gas solenoid valve 34 closed, gas bleed
system in upper reservoir 14 can be readily controlled. vent 118 is ?rst adjusted to provide a very slow leakage
Nitrogen gas could also be substituted for either oxy 60 of gas and out of housing 110 to allow any ?uids in
gen or carbon dioxide gases or a third or fourth com- ' second nutrient reservoir 14 to flow down into ?rst
pressed gas tank and solenoid valve ?ow control could nutrient reservoir 12. During this condition, all of the
be added. roots'142 of plants 19 growing in plant modules 18 will
Also, a gaseous fungicide could be substituted for any be exposed to gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or
of the above named gases in order to control any plant 65 oxygen or a mixture of these or other gases. Upon com
root diseases. mand by computer and data processor controller 80,
Thus it can be seen that by controlling the cyclic rate solenoid valve 34 is caused to open when it is energized
of nutrient feeding of the plants growing in modules 18, by activation of relay 98.
4,669,217
7 8
Upon activation, solenoid valve 34 will allow com are combined, generates carbon dioxide gas which
pressed gas to pass from compressed gas tank 32, “blows” or creates the cellular structure while the mix
through conduit 30 into ?rst nutrient reservoir 12 thus ture is still ?uid and concurrently causes the resin to
causing pressure to be applied to the surface or nutrient polymerize and produce a generally self-supporting
mass having an open or interconnecting cellular struc
Pressure thus applied will force nutrient 26 into open ture.
ing 124 of conduit 16 the bottom end thereof, up The elongated cellular structure is achieved by caus
through conduit 16 and out through top opening 26 and ing the foam, during its ?uid phase prior to full poly
opening 140 to flood into pipe or housing 130 of second merization, to ?ow unidirectionally. That is, in one
or upper nutrient reservoir 14. 10 method, the ?uid foam is placed at the bottom of a
The level of nutrient 26 in upper nutrient reservoir 14 narrow tube and allowed to expand or “blow” up
will thus rise and ?ood roots 142 providing nutrients wardly in the tube. The cellular structure will then be
and water to the plants 19 supported in plant propaga elongated in the direction of ?ow of the ?uid foam as it
tion support modules 18. expands in the tube.
At a predetermined time, computer and data proces In another method, the two-part isocyanate materials
sor controller 80 will deenergize relay 98 closing sole are mixed together in a container and, while still in the
noid valve 34 to stop the ?ow of compressed. gas ?uid phase, mechanically squeezed in a lateral direction
through conduit 30 into ?rst nutrient reservoir 12. forcing the ?uid to ?ow or be extruded in one longitudi
When the ?ow of gas is stopped, the ?ow of gas being nal direction thus elongating the cellular structure in the
bled from lower nutrient reservoir 12 by bleed valve 20 direction of ?uid ?ow.
118 at a lower rate than the incoming gas from com This mechanical process can include a mold having
pressed gas source 32 will continue because of the hy movable walls whereby the walls are moved to com
draulic head of the nutrient solution in upper or second press the foam plastic While in the fluid phase to force
nutrient reservoir 12. Thus, the nutrient solution in the material to ?ow unidirectionally along a longitudi
upper reservoir 14 will slowly ?ow back down into ?rst 25 nal axis thus elongating the cellular structure parallel to
nutrient reservoir 12 through conduit 16 depending the unidirectional axis.
upon the rate of gas ?owing out of bleed valve 118. This mechanical process can also include a mold
By using bleed valve 118, it can be seen that no out having an entry port and an elongated necked down
side air will ever enter ?rst or lower nutrient reservoir portion. The foam plastic is poured into the entry port
12 since gas will at all times be escaping from bleed where it expands and is forced into the elongated
valve 118 when nutrient is being forced up to second necked down portion while still in the ?uid phase where
nutrient reservoir 14 by compressed gas or ?owing back the cells are caused to elongate along the longitudinal
down by gravity to ?rst nutrient reservoir 12. axis of the elongated necked down portion.
In addition, by controlling the ?ow of gases into‘ These various mechanical processes tend to further
upper reservoir 14 from tank 33 or 35, a minimum 35 cause the walls of the cellular structure to rupture and
amount of outside air will enter upper reservoir 14 thus increase the number of interconnections between
through cellular channels 158 in plant propagation mod cells.
ule 18. In other words, just enough outside air will enter By aligning the elongation of the cells vertically, it
cellular channels 158 to ?ush out any nutrient solution can be seen that any ?uids container in the cells will
but not enough air will be permitted to enter upper 40 tend to drain downwardly and thus result in a low
reservoir 14 because of the injection of gases from tanks water retention foam plastic material.
33 and 35 to replace the volume of ?uid ?owing back It must be pointed out that the elongated, intercon
down to lower reservoir 12. necting cellular foam plastic material of the present
Thus, roots 142 in upper reservoir 14 will periodi invention is fabricated using carbon dioxide to expand
cally be fed nutrient to sustain their growth and be 45 or “blow” the material. This is to be contrasted with
exposed to oxygen to reduce the danger of anaerobic other gases such as Freon which are used to “blow” or
bacteria from growing and causing damage to the expand polyurethane foam.
plants.
In some instances, a small amount of water can be
With reference to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a typical added to the mixture to produce steam during the foam
plant propagation module 18 whose outer housing 152 ing process to further expand the material.
is frictionally engaged with a collar or sealing ring 150. Applicant has found that an organically neutral or
Collar or sealing ring 150 is adapted to be attached “non-toxic” gas such as carbon dioxide does not cause
and hermetically sealed to a hole in upper housing 130 any growth retardation for sensitive clonal tissue when
with outer housing 152 of the plant propagation module compared with polyurethane foams using Freon and
18 frictionally engaging the inner surface of sealing ring 55 other gases to create the cellular structure.
150 so that it can be removed and replaced readily once In most cases, when foamed, the cellular material is
the plant has ?nished its growing cycle. sterile, however, since the isocyanate foam material has
With reference to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a more a relatively high softening and melting point, ?nal steril
detailed view of the plant propagation support module izing can be accomplished by autoclaving using super
18 shown in FIG. 4. 60 heated steam at a temperature below the softening point
The plant propagation support module 18 comprises, of the material.'
basically, an outer housing 152 comprising a generally With reference to FIG. 6 there is illustrated a cross
cylindrical water impervious, rigid plastic pipe open at sectional, elevational view of the plant propagation
both ends and containing a generally low water reten support module 18 of FIG. 5 showing the generally low
tion, porous foam plastic material 54. 65 water retention porous foam plastic material 154 which
Porous plastic foam material 54 (154) (180) (202) further comprises a plurality of elongated, interconnect
comprises a two-part isocyanate foam, well known in ing cellular channels 158 providing ?uid communica
the art, which, when the two parts, resin and oxidizer, tion between the open ends of tubular housing 152.
4,669,217
9 10
With reference to FIG. 7, the plant propagation sup porous plastic material having a plurality of elongated,
port module 18 of FIGS. 5 and 6 is shown containing an interconnected cellular channels 182 providing ?uid
ungerminated seed 160 which has been forced down communication between the upper surface 184 and
into porous foam plastic material 154. It can be seen that bottom surface 186 thereof.
the resilience of porous foam plastic material 154 must A pair of I-beam reinforcing members 190 and 192 are
be suf?cient to hold seed 160 in place and, at the same disposed along the parallel longitudinal edges of porous
time, close off the entry point of the seed by expanding rectangular sheet 180 with the edges of sheet 180 abut
back into the hole to prevent any exposure of seed 160 ting the web of I-beams 190 and 192, respectively, and
to the outside air or excess moisture. enclosed, respectively, between the top and bottom
With reference to FIG. 8, there is further illustrated ?anges of the I-beams.
the plant propagation support module 18 of FIGS. 5, 6 With reference to FIG. 12, there is illustrated the
and 7 showing seed 160 now germinated into a plant method of installing plant propagation module 180
having a stalk 162 and a root structure 164. mounted in housing 130 of upper nutrient reservoir 14.
It will be noted that the root structure 164 will gener It can be seen that a slot is cut longitudinally in pipe
ally follow the line of least resistance to the nutrient or housing 130 with the cut edges being adapted to abut
solution generally following cellular channels 158. the flanges of I-beams 190 and 192, respectively, and be
It will also be noted that as seed 160 expands, the frictionally engaged between the ?anges of those two
resiliency and crushability of porous foam plastic mate— I-beams.
rial 154 is such as to permit expansion of the plant with The use of the plant propagation support module
out cracking or ?ssuring of the block of material 154. 20 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 permits more rapid and easier
With reference to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a further removal replacement of the support module from upper
progression of the growth of plant stalk 162 in the plant or second nutrient reservoir 14 by merely sliding the
propagation support module 18 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 module along the cut edges of pipe or housing 130 and
and 8 illustrating the compression and crushing of the replacing it with a new module.
cellular structure adjacent stalk 162 to provide plant 25 To operate the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through
support while the cellular structure at the outer edges 12, inclusive, computer and data processor controller 80
near housing 152 remains somewhat intact. is initially programed to the growth parameters of the
With reference to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a fur particular plants being propagated in plant module 18.
ther embodiment of the plant propagation support mod These parameters would typically include the follow
ule 18 of FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 further comprising a mg:
shrink wrap plastic or upper or top cap 168 and a similar 1. Plant maturation period.
bottom cap 170 to hermetically seal seed 160 in porous 2. Optimum air temperature range during maturation
foam plastic material 154 to maintain the sterility of period.
plant propagation support module 18 and to prevent 3. Optimum root temperature range during matura
moisture from entering and causing seed 160 to prema 35 tion period.
turely germinate.
4. Variation of root temperature range during matu
It can also be seen that by utilizing the apparatus of ration period.
FIGS. 2 and 3 and the cellular structure of porous mate 5. Optimum humidity level and range.
rial 154, the ?uid rises in upper reservoir 14, and by 6. Variation of humidity level during maturation per
capillary action ascends into channels 158 of the cellular 40 iod.
structure, nutrients can be provided to the seed as well 7. Optimum root-nutrient exposure time.
as to the roots of the growing plant. 8. Variation of root-nutrient exposure time during
Then, as the ?uid ?ows back down into lower or ?rst maturation period.
nutrient reservoir 12, air will be drawn into the cells or 9. Ratio of plant exposure to light and dark.
channels 158 from outside of upper nutrient reservoir 14 45 10. Variation of ratio of plant exposure to light and
pulling any water entrained in the cells and held there dark during maturation period.
by capillary action, back into the interior of upper reser 11. Ratio of nutrient to gas exposure time of roots
voir 14. Thus a very small amount of nutrient solution during maturation period.
will remain in the cellular structure in plant propagation With the above parameters established, the system is
support module 18 to minimize the growth of any harm 50 now ready to start up for continuous operation.
ful organisms. During continuous operation, inside and outside tem
Should the nutrient become contaminated, a sterile perature and humidity are continuously monitored. As
solution can be placed on the top surface of porous the temperature and humidity vary from optimum, cor
material 54 and be drawn into cellular channels 158 to rective measures are made as directed by computer and
thus ?ush out any contaminated nutrient without hav data processor controller 80.
ing to remove or destroy any of the plants being sup In addition, nutrient temperature is also monitored
ported by plant propagation support module 18 shown. and controlled by computer and data processor control
In the alternative, a fungicide can be injected into the ler 80 should it vary from the parameters set.
nutrient from fungicide pump and supply tank 21 in the As an additional control, image transducer 86 con
event the nutrient become contaminated with an organ 60 stantly monitors plant growth rate to determine
ism such as, for example, that which would cause whether the growth rate meets or exceeds that for
“damping off" or other common plant disease. Such which the maturation period parameter has been set.
contamination would be detected by nutrient test de If growth rate is to low, nutrient rate and other pa
vice 38. rameters are adjusted to assure optimum or maximum
With reference to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a fur 65 growth rate potential.
ther embodiment of the plant propagation support mod In the event nutrient test device 38 detects unwanted
ule of the present invention comprising a generally particles, organisms or nutrient concentration in nutri
rectangular sheet 180 of a generally low water retention ent solution 26, computer and data processor controller