Abstract: This invention includes a coherent growth substrate product formed of mineral wool, the product having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and a seed hole extending from the top surface towards the bottom surface, the base of the seed hole defining a seed bed, wherein the volume of the growth substrate product is not more than 150 cm3, and wherein the seed bed has a width of at least 5 mm.

Abstract: A system and related method for monitoring plant growth conditions is provided, comprising a plurality of detectors (7) and central detector data processing means (1103); each detector (7) being arranged to measure properties indicative of a temperature, a water content, and a nutrient content, of a plant growth substrate; each detector (7) being further arranged to transmit the measured property or properties over a communications link to the central detector data processing means (1103); the central detector data processing means (1103) being arranged to store predefined irrigation data, defining a relationship between plural values for temperature, water content, pH level and/or nutrient content of the plant growth substrate; and plural desired irrigation output values; process the measured properties from each detector (7) to determine calculated properties of the substrate; and provide an output indicative of a desired irrigation input for the growth substrate, based upon measured properties received fro

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided, which comprises: one or more plant growth substrates (1); one or more detectors (7) arranged to monitor nutrient levels of at least one of the plant growth substrates; at least one irrigation device (6) arranged to supply water to the plant growth substrates; and control means (9) connected to said detectors and said at least one irrigation device. The supply of water by the at least one irrigation device is controlled by the control means in dependence on the monitored nutrient levels. In this manner, the water and nutrient levels of the substrates can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fiber (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided together with an irrigation strategy for providing water to the substrate. The substrate comprises a slab having a volume of 3 to 20 liters on which a single block containing one or more plants is disposed. In the context of this substrate, it is found that an irrigation strategy can be used which comprises a first period during which the desired water content in the slab is reduced to a minimum level before increasing and a second period during which the desired water content is maintained at a substantially constant level, wherein the difference between the minimum level and the constant level expressed as a percentage of the water content required to saturate the plant growth substrate is less than or equal to 25%. This provides excellent control over the balance between vegetative and generative growth in the plant.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of growing plants in a mineral wool growth substrate, the method comprising: providing at least one mineral wool growth substrate comprising man-made vitreous fibers bonded with a cured binder composition, and positioning one or more seeds or plants for growth in the growth substrate, and allowing growth of the one or more plants, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises: a) a sugar component, and b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component, wherein the binder composition prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.

Abstract: A system and related method for monitoring plant growth conditions is provided, comprising a plurality of detectors (7) and central detector data processing means (1103); each detector (7) being arranged to measure properties indicative of a temperature, a water content, and a nutrient content, of a plant growth substrate; each detector (7) being further arranged to transmit the measured property or properties over a communications link to the central detector data processing means (1103); the central detector data processing means (1103) being arranged to store predefined irrigation data, defining a relationship between plural values for temperature, water content, pH level and/or nutrient content of the plant growth substrate; and plural desired irrigation output values; process the measured properties from each detector (7) to determine calculated properties of the substrate; and provide an output indicative of a desired irrigation input for the growth substrate, based upon measured properties received fro

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided, which comprises: one or more plant growth substrates (1); one or more detectors (7) arranged to monitor nutrient levels of at least one of the plant growth substrates; at least one irrigation device (6) arranged to supply water to the plant growth substrates; and control means (9) connected to said detectors and said at least one irrigation device. The supply of water by the at least one irrigation device is controlled by the control means in dependence on the monitored nutrient levels. In this manner, the water and nutrient levels of the substrates can be accurately controlled.

Abstract: A plant growth system is provided, which comprises: 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 means 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 means 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.

Abstract: The invention provides a multiple density growth substrate product (1) formed of a coherent matrix of man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) bonded with binder, having an upper surface (2) provided with a recess (3) adapted to receive a seed or seedling and an opposite lower surface (4) on which the product rests when in use, the product being formed of at least two layers including an upper layer (5) positioned at the upper surface and having a first density and a lower layer (6) positioned at the opposite lower surface and having a second density, wherein the first density is less than the second density by at least 5 kg/m3 and wherein the loss on ignition (LOI) in the upper layer is at least 3.5 wt %.

Abstract: A man-made vitreous fibre (MMVF) plant growth substrate is provided together with an irrigation strategy for providing water to the substrate. The substrate comprises a slab having a volume of 3 to 20 litres on which a single block containing one or more plants is disposed. In the context of this substrate, it is found that an irrigation strategy can be used which comprises a first period during which the desired water content in the slab is reduced to a minimum level before increasing and a second period during which the desired water content is maintained at a substantially constant level, wherein the difference between the minimum level and the constant level expressed as a percentage of the water content required to saturate the plant growth substrate is less than or equal to 25%. This provides excellent control over the balance between vegetative and generative growth in the plant.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of growing plants in a mineral wool growth substrate, the method comprising: providing at least one mineral wool growth substrate comprising man-made vitreous fibres bonded with a cured binder composition, and positioning one or more seeds or plants for growth in the growth substrate, and allowing growth of the one or more plants, wherein the binder composition prior to curing comprises: a) a sugar component, and b) a reaction product of a polycarboxylic acid component and an alkanolamine component, wherein the binder composition prior to curing contains at least 42% by weight of the sugar component based on the total weight (dry matter) of the binder components.

Abstract: This invention includes a coherent growth substrate product formed of mineral wool, the product having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and a seed hole extending from the top surface towards the bottom surface, the base of the seed hole defining a seed bed, wherein the volume of the growth substrate product is not more than 150 cm3, and wherein the seed bed has a width of at least 5 mm.

Abstract: This invention includes a coherent growth substrate product formed of mineral wool, the product having two opposed top and bottom surfaces and a channel which is open at the bottom surface and extends from the bottom surface at least 50% of the height of the growth substrate product and wherein the volume of the growth substrate product is not more than 150 cm3.

Abstract: A method of growing a fruit or vegetable crop comprises: positioning a plant in the form of a seed or a seedling or a cutting of the crop in a first coherent mineral wool growth substrate having a volume not more than 150 cm3, allowing the plant to root and grow for at least 2 days and not more than 30 days, then transferring the plant within the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a second coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume 60 to 1500 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 2 to 5 weeks, transferring the plant within the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a third coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume of from 700 to 45 000 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 1 to 7 weeks before any further transfer is effected.

Abstract: A method of growing a fruit or vegetable crop comprises: positioning a plant in the form of a seed or a seedling or a cutting of the crop in a first coherent mineral wool growth substrate having a volume not more than 150 cm3, allowing the plant to root and grow for at least 2 days and not more than 30 days, then transferring the plant within the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the first coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a second coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume 60 to 1500 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 2 to 5 weeks, transferring the plant within the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate so that the second coherent mineral wool growth substrate is in contact with a third coherent mineral wool growth substrate having volume of from 700 to 45 000 cm3, and allowing the plant to grow for a further 1 to 7 weeks before any further transfer is effected.