Abstract: The invention relates to a system, in which water, optionally mixed with nutrients, is supplied to a substrate used for horticulture. Commonly an excess of water is supplied, so that it is necessary to drain the excess. Usually this is achieved by providing drainage hoses, in which an underpressure is maintained. To avoid that the roots of the plants grown in the substrate grow into the hoses and block these, the invention provides coupling members for coupling mineral wood to a drainage hose, when said coupling member is formed by a porous body arranged at least partly in said mineral wool and provided with a cavity connected to said drainage hose. According to a preferred embodiment the porous body of said coupling member is formed by mineral wool compressed such, that the density thereof is greater than the density of the non-compressed mineral wool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the mineral wool culture of plants, whereby water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein are supplied to, and if necessary discharged from, the mineral wool in which the plant grows, whereby in said mineral wool the suction pressure is adjusted using a capillary system connected for liquid communication with mineral wool, with which capillary system water and any required nutrients are actively supplied to and/or discharged from said mineral wool, in order to readjust the predetermined suction pressure; and to a device for the mineral wool culture of plants, comprising: mineral wool in which the plants can grow; means for supplying water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein to said mineral wool; and means for discharging water and any fertilizers that may be comprised therein from said mineral wool, wherein a capillary system connected for liquid communication with said mineral wool, to which system are linked means for adjusting the suction pressu

Abstract: The invention relates to a porous product for cultivating plants, comprising a matrix of mineral fibres which can be moistened with water, by material present in said porous product having a greater water retaining capacity than said mineral fibres which form said matrix and which can be moistened with water, of which preferably said material consists of flakes having a greater water retaining capacity and are accommodated therein over the whole height or only a portion of the height, and comprises mineral fibres that can be moistened with water, the density of which is at least 20, preferably 30, or more preferably 40 kg/m.sup.3 greater than the density of the mineral fibre matrix, and further to a method for manufacturing such a porous product.