Abstract: A system (10,11) for controlling plant growth conditions in hydroponic growing systems, the system for controlling plant growth conditions comprising: at least one detector (7,1101) for measuring at least one property of a plant growth substrate; first (9,1103) and second (9,12, 1107) data processing means; data storage means (1120); and the or each detector (7,1101) being arranged to measure a property or properties of a plant growth substrate and to transmit a detector identifier and the measured property or properties over a communications link to the first data processing means; the first data processing means (9,1103) being arranged to: hold in a memory predefined irrigation data defining a relationship between: plural values for one or more of temperature, pH level, water content, nutrient content, oxygen content, and plant parameters of the substrate; and plural desired irrigation parameters; process measured properties received from each detector to obtain processed properties of the substrate; provid

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 system (10,11) for controlling plant growth conditions in hydroponic growing systems, the system for controlling plant growth conditions comprising: at least one detector (7,1101) for measuring at least one property of a plant growth substrate; first (9,1103) and second (9,12, 1107) data processing means; data storage means (1120); and the or each detector (7,1101) being arranged to measure a property or properties of a plant growth substrate and to transmit a detector identifier and the measured property or properties over a communications link to the first data processing means; the first data processing means (9,1103) being arranged to: hold in a memory predefined irrigation data defining a relationship between: plural values for one or more of temperature, pH level, water content, nutrient content, oxygen content, and plant parameters of the substrate; and plural desired irrigation parameters; process measured properties received from each detector to obtain processed properties of the substrate; provid

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 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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral wool plant substrate comprising a coherent matrix of mineral wool and up to 20 volume % of an ion-exchange agent comprising a variable and/or fixed ion-exchange capacity of about 15, preferably 30 and most preferably 40 meq/100 g dry weight or more.

Abstract: Mineral wool plant substrate formed of a coherent matrix of mineral wool having 99.9 to 75 wt % mineral wool and 0.1 to 25 wt % of an organic substance. Clay may be included in the matrix. The matrix may be in the form of a pellet.