Growth medium for sphagnum moss
One object of the present invention is to provide means for readily attaining a large scale cultivation of sphagnum moss under various conditions, in other words, means for establishing a sphagnum field under various conditions. Specifically, the present inventors have found that the above object can be attained through provision of a sphagnum cultivation base having a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and one or more units of live sphagnum whose stem portions have been aligned in bunch(es), such that the bunch(es) of live sphagnum stem is/are in contact with the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, that the growth point of of live sphagnum is substantially exposed from the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and that the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is capable of being brought into contact with water of a water basin, and through construction of a system on the basis of the base. The present invention can considerably contribute to environmental improvements, since, in particular, the present invention can grow sphagnum having a remarkable carbon dioxide fixation capacity.
The present invention relates to a cultivation base for sphagnum.
BACKGROUND ARTScientifically, sphagnum, or peat moss, is a moss plant which belongs to subclass Sphagnidae. There have been reported about 150 species belonging to one genus in one family worldwide, including about 36 species found in Japan. Sphagnum is known to be the economically most valuable moss plant, and in Japan, it is usually used for horticultural purposes.
Meanwhile, in high moors, peat develops on water tables, and, under thickly grown sphagnum, peat formed primarily from dead remains of sphagnum is known to accumulate to layers of several meters. Over a long period of several thousand years, such high moors have continued to fix enormous volumes of carbon dioxide, and thus are currently known to be a very important CO2 absorption resource on the earth. Also, sphagnum bogs are known to provide precious habitats to animals and plants that can survive only in them.
Presently, for many reasons, high moors are rapidly disappearing, raising concerns that global warning might be accelerated by worldwide reduction in CO2 fixation and that animals and plants which can survive only in a sphagnum bog might be decreased in number or endangered.
Under such circumstances, provision of means for cultivating sphagnum in large amounts with ease is awaited.
Heretofore, several methods for cultivating sphagnum have been reported (see, for example, The World of Green Gem “Fuukiran” (a variety of Neofinetia falcata), Internet <URL: http://www.fuukiran.jp/fuukiran/mizugoke/mizugoke2.htm>; “Wild grasses and other plants—sphagnum, Internet <URL: http://www3.plata.or.jp/Dionaea-Club/plants/sanyasou/mizugoke.htm>). However, none of the reported methods are suitable for large-scale cultivation, because care must always be taken so as not to allow the sphagnum to dry up, and moreover, the methods are not simple. Thus, these methods are considered to have disadvantages from the viewpoints of continued cultivation.
Incidentally, in relation to the present invention, a patent application has been filed regarding a sheet-like absorbent making use of excellent absorptive power of dry sphagnum (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 8-126662).
An object of the present invention is to provide means for cultivating sphagnum on a large scale, with ease, and in a variety of environments; in other words, means for realizing a sphagnum bog in a variety of environments.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONWith an aim to attain the above-mentioned object, the present inventors started with an idea of using the excellent capacities of dried sphagnum in drawing up water from a water basin, and found that when the thus-drawn-up water is brought into contact with the stem of a live sphagnum plant body, efficient growth of a growth-point-bearing portion of a live sphagnum plant (such a portion is primarily a leaf or a branch) can be realized. The invention which broadly relate to cultivation of live sphagnum includes, among others, an invention drawn to a cultivation base which is needed for cultivation, and a cultivation method and cultivation system employing the cultivation base.
That is, in an aspect of the present invention which is drawn to the above-mentioned cultivation base, the present invention provides a sphagnum cultivation base (hereinafter may be referred to as the present sphagnum cultivation base) comprising a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and one or more units of live sphagnum, each of said unit(s) is a bunch of live sphagnum whose stems are bunched, the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum being in contact with the bunched stems of live sphagnum, a growth point of the live sphagnum being substantially exposed outside the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum being maintained under condition that permit contact with water of a water basin.
In another aspect of the present invention which is drawn to the above-mentioned cultivation method, the present invention provides a sphagnum cultivation method (hereinafter may be referred to as the present cultivation method) which employs the present sphagnum cultivation base and comprises, while maintaining a growth point of a live sphagnum plant at a point above the water surface of a water basin, wetting the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum by bringing the mass into contact with the water of the water basin, and supplying the water that permeates the aggregated mass to wet the dried sphagnum to the live sphagnum, to thereby nurture the live sphagnum.
In yet another aspect of the present invention which is drawn to the above-mentioned cultivation system, the present invention provides a sphagnum cultivation system (hereinafter may be referred to as the present cultivation system) which employs the present sphagnum cultivation base and comprises, while maintaining a growth point of a live sphagnum plant at a point above the water surface of a water basin, wetting the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum by bringing the mass into contact with the water of the water basin, and supplying the water that permeates the aggregated mass to wet the dried sphagnum to the live sphagnum, to thereby nurture the live sphagnum.
In the present invention, the term “live sphagnum” refers to a sphagnum plant which exhibits life activities at least to some extent. In other words, the term “live sphagnum” should be considered to encompass both cultivated or wild sphagnum (containing sufficient amounts of water) and simply dried sphagnum, which has not undergone any sterilizing treatment by means of, for example, heating [note that although simply dried sphagnum is faded in color because chlorophyll is lost, unless a considerable period of time has passed, the moss can be revived if supplied with water (generally speaking, a drying period of not longer than about one month at normal temperature is considered to be the limit after which the moss having undergone the drying period can be revived)].
In the present invention, the term “dried sphagnum” refers to both the above-mentioned dried sphagnum which has undergone a sterilizing treatment and simply dried sphagnum. From viewpoints of economy, etc., dried sphagnum which has undergone a sterilizing treatment is preferably employed. In this connection, according to the present invention, it is essential that “dried sphagnum” contain water upon use of an invention product, and therefore, dried sphagnum which has come to contain water at any point in time; e.g., during manufacture or use of a product of the invention, should be construed as falling within the technical scope of the present invention.
The sphagnum—either live sphagnum or dried sphagnum—to which the present invention is applied may be any moss plant, so long as it belongs to the Sphagnum L. of Sphagnaceae in Bryopsida, Bryophyta. Some sphagnum examples of Japanese origin include Sphagnum palustre L., Sphagnum papillosum Lindb., Sphagnum magellanicum Brid., and Sphagnum aongstroemii C. Hartm., Sphagnum compactum DC., Sphagnum microporum Warnst. ex Card, Sphagnum calymmatophyllum Warnest. & Card., Sphagnum subsecundum Nees ex Sturm, Sphagnum girgensohnii Russow, Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) H. Klinggr., Sphagnum fimbriatum Wilson ex Wilson & Hook.f., Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw., Sphagnum junghuhnianum Dozy & Molk. Subsp. Pseudomolle (Warnest.) H. Suzuki, Sphagnum tenellum Hoffm., Sphagnum cuspidatum Hoffm., Sphagnum recurvum P. Beauv., and Sphagnum squarrosum Crome. Needless to say, sphagnum mosses originating from any region other than Japan may also be used in the present invention.
Of the listed mosses, Sphagnum palustre L. is a preferred sphagnum moss as either the “live sphagnum” or “dried sphagnum” in the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 2 (1) to (4) show an exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of a basic embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 3 (1) to (5) show another exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of the basic embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 4 (1) and (2) show an exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of the basic embodiment of the present invention in which two or more units of live sphagnum are employed.
FIGS. 5 (1) and (2) show another exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of the basic embodiment of the present invention in which two or more units of live sphagnum are employed.
FIGS. 6 (1) to (4) show an exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of an embodiment of the present invention employing a support.
FIGS. 7 (1) to (3) show another exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of an embodiment of the present invention employing a support.
FIGS. 8 (1) to (3) show an exemplary process for producing a sphagnum cultivation base of an embodiment of the present invention employing a constructive design.
FIGS. 9 (1) to (6) schematically show the growing process of live sphagnum, in which the moss plants form a raised mound (hereinafter simply referred to as “hillock”) in the vicinity of the depression and grow with accelerated speed.
FIGS. 10 (1) to (4) show embodiments employing addition components.
FIGS. 11 (1) and (2) are a partial sectional elevation showing a sphagnum cultivation system of the present invention to which addition components are added to form an add-on flat surface.
FIGS. 12 (1), (2), (3)-1, (3)-2 and (3)-3 show an embodiment of the present cultivation system, in which the present sphagnum cultivation base is installed in a water basin.
FIGS. 13 (1) to (5) show an embodiment in which the present sphagnum cultivation base is installed in a hole formed in the ground or a concrete surface.
FIGS. 15 (1) to (3) show an example of the present sphagnum cultivation base employing a bucket-shaped support.
FIGS. 17 (1) to (6) show an embodiment of the present cultivation system in which the present sphagnum cultivation base is installed above the bottom of a water basin through use of a hanging device.
FIGS. 18 (1) to (4) show another embodiment employing a hanging device.
FIGS. 20 (1) and (2) show an embodiment of the present cultivation system in which the present sphagnum cultivation base floats near the water surface of a water basin with a buoyant force.
FIGS. 21 (1) and (2) show a large-scale application of the present cultivation system in which the present sphagnum cultivation bases float near the water surface of a water basin with a buoyant force.
FIGS. 22 (1) to (3) show an embodiment of the present sphagnum cultivation base employing a lightweight material such as expanded polystyrene.
<The Sphagnum Cultivation Base of the Present Invention>
The present sphagnum cultivation base at least includes the following (1) and (2): (1) a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum (hereinafter may be referred to as “dried-sphagnum molded product”) and (2) live sphagnum.
(1) Dried-Sphagnum Molded Product
The dried-sphagnum molded product literally refers to a product formed of dried sphagnum which is molded into a certain shape. No particular limitation is imposed on the shape of the dried-sphagnum molded product, and the dried-sphagnum molded product may be formed to any shape, so long as the molded product holds live sphagnum such that the level of the growth points of the live sphagnum is higher than the water level of a water basin, in the cultivation method and cultivation system of the present invention described later. For example, according to one typical embodiment, a depression is formed in the dried-sphagnum molded product, and one or more units of bunched stems of live sphagnum are inserted into the depression under compressed condition, and the growth points of the live sphagnum are substantially exposed from the depression of the dried-sphagnum molded product. On the basis of this embodiment, a specific dried-sphagnum molded product may have a depression that receives densely collected stems of live sphagnum.
Next will be described the dried-sphagnum molded product. The molded product may be formed through the following methods, for example.
a) Method for Producing a Dried-Sphagnum Molded Product Employing, as a Binder Component, a Component which can be Hardened Afterwards (Hereinafter May be Referred to Simply as “Hardenable Component”)
Examples of the “hardenable component” include clay mixed with a solvent such as water, and paper fibers mixed with a solvent such as water. Of these, paper fibers mixed with water are preferred. That is, the dried-sphagnum molded product is preferably molded by use of a binder containing at least paper fiber.
The paper fiber may be provided as, for example, shredded paper or a paper precursor. “Shredded paper” refers to a product obtained by literally shredding a paper material, and no particular limitation is imposed on the type of the paper material. Examples of the type of the paper material which may be employed include newspaper, sanitary paper, magazines, flyers, and copy paper. Alternatively, kenaf paper (i.e., paper produced from kenaf fiber through a production process similar to that employed in production of normal paper) may be employed. The expression “shredded” refers to a state in which a paper material is cut so that the paper material is partially or entirely reduced to individual paper fibers. No particular limitation is imposed on the shredding method. Shredded paper may be prepared through shearing in water through use of a shear blade, abrasion in water through use of a file blade, crumbling with hands in water, or a similar technique.
The paper precursor refers to a water-containing fibrous material of plant origin which may be directly transformed to paper and is obtained through a refining process of pulp.
No particular limitation is imposed on the ratio of paper fiber to water. However, the ratio of paper fiber (dry basis) to water by mass is typically about 1:4000 to about 1:10, preferably about 1:3000 to about 1:500.
In addition to the above paper fiber and water, other components may be incorporated into the hardenable component in accordance with needs. Examples of the components include fine soil matter (i.e., minute substances whose forms resemble soil) such as gravel, sand, soil, earthenware powder, glass powder, ash, lightweight aggregate, clay, peat moss, and perlite, and water-permeable viscous binder components such as starch. In addition, for example, plant fibers (excluding paper fibers), dried sphagnum moss, or seeds of plants may be incorporated.
Alternatively, the dried-sphagnum molded product may be produced by separately preparing a hardenable component, and combining the hardenable component with an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum (through, for example, applying the hardenable component to the dried sphagnum) when the present sphagnum cultivation base is produced. Alternatively and preferably, the dried-sphagnum molded product is produced by preparing, in advance, a composition containing a hardenable component and dried sphagnum, and the thus-obtained composition is employed in the manufacture of the present sphagnum cultivation base.
For example, when a water-containing composition containing paper fiber or a similar substance described above (hereinafter simply referred to as “paper fiber”) is employed as a hardenable component, preferably, the paper fiber and dried sphagnum are mixed together at a ratio by mass (paper fiber:dried sphagnum (dry basis)) of about 1:100 to about 1:20, and the mixture is mixed with water in an amount of about 1 to about 20 mass % with respect to the resultant mixture.
b) Method for Producing a Dried-Sphagnum Molded Product Employing a Depression of a Support
“Support” refers to an object which has a certain shape when left to stand (including an object which changes its shape upon application of a driving force produced, for example, by electric power). No particular limitation is imposed on the shape of the support, so long as a depression capable of securing dried sphagnum in a certain shape can be formed in the support. In addition, no particular limitation is imposed on the raw material for forming the support. Examples of the raw material which may be employed include wood, stone, plastic, expanded polystyrene, rubber, metal, bisque, earthenware, porcelain, clay, carbon fiber, glass, pumice, and charcoal. It should be noted that portions of the support with which the live sphagnum is brought into direct contact (for example, as described later, “a flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening of the depression formed in an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum or a support in which live sphagnum is fitted”) are preferably formed of a raw material containing substantially no nutrients for organisms. Specific examples of the raw material containing no nutrients of organisms include the above-described substances. However, lumber, paper clay, leaf mold soil, and similar materials may not be preferred as a raw material for forming the support (at least the portion with which live sphagnum is brought into direct contact), since they contain microorganism-assimilable carbon sources in non-negligible amounts; particularly, bacteria, fungi, algae, moss plants other than sphagnum, and other microorganisms which compete with sphagnum in growth.
b-1) When the depression of the support is a through-hole extending through the support, the “dried-sphagnum molded product” which is in contact with the live sphagnum is substantially exposed at the bottom of the cultivation base. When the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum which has been substantially exposed is brought into contact with water of a water basin, water infiltrates the dried-sphagnum molded product and then moves, through the boundary at which the live sphagnum and the dried sphagnum are in mutual contact, to the live sphagnum, whereby the live sphagnum is supplied with water. In another embodiment, both live sphagnum and dried sphagnum may be brought into direct contact with water of a water basin. In this embodiment, however, filtering capacities—for removing debris or impurities in soaking water—of dried sphagnum are not utilized by live sphagnum. In other words, in a preferred embodiment, only the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is brought in contact with water of a water basin, and the live sphagnum is supplied with water which has passed through the dried sphagnum, whereby the live sphagnum is supplied with water filtered through the dried sphagnum.
In particular, when water is fed to the water basin from a water source which may abundantly contain microorganisms, such as a eutrophic lake or marsh, a muddy river, or recycle water produced by simple treatment of sewage, the live sphagnum may be brought into contact with water and the microorganisms contained therein. Therefore, when the water source of the water basin is a possibly microorganism-enriched one as described above, the support is preferably formed from a water-impermeable material such as stone, plastic, expanded polystyrene, rubber, metal, earthenware, porcelain, clay, carbon fiber, or glass. In such a case, if the support is made from a water-permeable material, such as bisque, paper clay, gravel, pumice, or a water-permeable composition (described later), preventive measures are preferably taken. That is, a water-impermeable material (e.g., a water-impermeable vinyl polymer sheet) is placed between the live sphagnum and the water-permeable material, so as to prevent passage of water between the water-permeable support and the live sphagnum.
b-2) Among the above water-impermeable materials for forming a support, expanded polystyrene is advantageous, since expanded polystyrene is water-impermeable, contains substantially no nutrients for organisms, can be readily processed to form a desired shape, is lightweight, and is easy to handle. In addition, expanded polystyrene floats on water. Therefore, in an embodiment in which a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention is floated on water, the support is preferably made from expanded polystyrene. However, with expanded polystyrene, product can hardly be imparted with a natural impression. For example, even when a colored paint is applied to surfaces of a product made of expanded polystyrene, unnatural impression may not be completely eliminated.
In such a case, the following steps α) to δ) (the steps can be applied to any substances, including expanded polystyrene, which can form a support of the present sphagnum cultivation base) may be performed on the surfaces of the product, whereby a product made of expanded polystyrene or a similar substance will be imparted with a natural appearance.
α) To the surface of the support made of expanded polystyrene or a similar substance, there is applied a liquid substance which is hardened afterwards and is viscous before hardening. Examples of the curable substance include adhesives such as silicone adhesives, urethane adhesives, vinyl acetate adhesives, cellulose adhesives, synthetic rubber adhesives, ultraviolet-curable adhesives, anaerobic adhesives, and ultraviolet anaerobic adhesives, with silicone adhesives being preferred.
No particular limitation is imposed on the method for applying the liquid substance to surfaces. For example, a liquid substance contained in an injection container (e.g., an injection tube) is injected onto a surface of the support, and the injected liquid substance is leveled through use of a coater or a similar tool. When a thin layer is to be formed, the liquid substance may be applied through use of a brush.
β) Subsequently, the surface of the liquid substance layer is napped. No particular limitation is imposed on the method for napping the surface. For example, the surface of the liquid substance layer may be napped through tapping of the surface by means of a napper (such as a metal wire brush), which is rigid.
γ) Thereafter, onto the nappy surface of the liquid substance layer are scattered fine soil matter (e.g., gravel, sand, soil, earthenware powder, glass powder, ash, lightweight aggregate, clay, peat moss, perlite), pigments, colorants, moss, green algae, or other substances. Subsequently, excessive scattered substances are preferably removed by washing the surface with a water flow obtained from tap water and having pressure controlled via a shower nozzle. Subsequently, the surface is leveled slightly, and the liquid substance is hardened (through drying, UV-irradiation, formation of anaerobic atmosphere, or a similar technique, depending on the type of the curable substance), to thereby form a surface having a natural texture, like that of an earthen wall, on the support. Alternatively and preferably, a precursor composition of a water-permeable composition described below may be employed as the fine soil matter.
δ) The surface produced in γ) above may be covered by a coating film. The coating film is preferred for preventing nutrients of microorganisms present on the surface of the support from appearing on the formed surface. However, when the substance scattered to the support is an organism such as a green algae or a moss other than sphagnum, the coating process inhibits life activities of the organism and is therefore not preferred (in this case, the moss other than sphagnum and live sphagnum may compete in growth). The coating film may be formed by applying a desired coating material to the surface, and drying and solidifying the coating material. No particular limitation is imposed on the coating material, and any product available as glaze may be employed. Preferably, the coating material maintains its transparency as long as possible and is as highly safe as possible. For example, a water-thinnable acrylic resin agent (e.g., product of Atomix, Inc.) sold as a water-thinnable coating base stabilizer is particularly preferably employed as the coating material. In addition, the coating material may be waterproofed in accordance with needs by, for example, applying a silicone coating agent to the upper surface of the coating material.
Through the above steps α) to δ), the surface of a support made of expanded polystyrene or a similar substance can be modified to give a natural impression.
b-3) Preferred examples of a raw material of the water-permeable substance include “a composition containing ‘shredded paper and/or a paper precursor’ (hereinafter may be referred to simply as ‘shredded paper or the like’) and fine soil matter” (hereinafter the composition may be referred to as a water-permeable composition).
The water-permeable composition is an energy-saving material obtained from natural sources, which material needs no heat treatment in production of a support product.
The terms “shredded paper,” “paper precursor,” and “fine soil matter” have the same meanings as described above.
In production of a support product, water is necessarily added to the water-permeable composition.
Specifically, the water-permeable composition is derived from a precursor composition. That is, firstly, a precursor composition containing “shredded paper or the like,” fine soil matter, and water is prepared, and the water-permeable composition is formed from the precursor composition.
No particular limitation is imposed on the ratio of “shredded paper or the like” to fine soil matter contained in the water-permeable composition or a precursor composition thereof. However, the ratio by mass of “shredded paper or the like”:fine soil matter is preferably about 1:2 to about 1:4. When the amount of the “shredded paper or the like” is excessively large, the water-permeable composition itself is fragile, and the formed support may assume the color of the raw material paper, which is not adequate in terms of color design of the support. When the amount of the fine soil matter is excessively large, the base composition of the water-permeable composition exhibits lowered binding performance and therefore cannot be hardened stably through drying, and cost per volume of the compositions also tends to increase.
The fine soil matter incorporated into the water-permeable composition preferably contains clay. No particular limitation is imposed on the amount of clay incorporated. The fine soil matter may be formed of only clay. However, typically, the ratio by mass of clay to fine soil matter other than clay is preferably about 1:10 to about 1:1.
No particular limitation is imposed on the ratio of the “shredded paper or the like” and fine soil matter to water contained in the precursor composition of the water-permeable composition, and any ratio may be selected. However, the ratio is typically about 1 to about 30 mass %, preferably about 3 to about 25 mass %, on the basis of the entirety of the precursor composition. When the amount of water contained is excessively small, shredding of paper to form shredded paper is difficult, and shredded paper and fine soil matter cannot be kneaded thoroughly. When the amount of water is excessively large, the precursor composition is so heavy that an excessively large load is imposed to workers preparing the composition, while wasting an unnecessarily large amount of water.
In accordance with needs, the water-permeable composition may contain, in addition to the above essential components, other components such as plant fibers (e.g., root portions of plants such as roots forming a root-spread surface and cut pieces of root), straws, ground garbage, charcoal pieces, ore stones, plant seeds, and dried sphagnum.
The water-permeable composition may contain a moss plant (other than dried sphagnum) in such a manner that the moss plant is exposed from the surface of the water-permeable composition.
Specifically, a water-permeable composition containing a desired moss plant can be prepared by incorporating the moss plant into a precursor composition of the water-permeable composition.
The moss plant may be those living in a natural field or those obtained through cultivation. Alternatively, the moss plant may be the so-called “cultured moss plant” produced through the culture method [see, for example, “Plant biotechnology II,” Tokyo Kagaku Dozin: Gendai-Kagaku extra number 20, p. 39, “Culture of plants belonging to the family Bryophyta” described by Ono]. Typically, moss plants obtained through cultivation are preferred.
No particular limitation is imposed on the species of the moss plant which may be incorporated into the water-permeable composition.
Examples of employable moss plants include, but are not limited to, Atrichum P. Beauv. (Tachigoke-zoku) such as Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv (Namigata-Tachigoke); Pogonatum P. Beauv (Niwa-sugigoke-zoku) such as Pogonatum inflexum (Lindb.) Lac. (Ko-sugigoke); Polytrichastrum G. L. Smith (Miyama-sugigoke-zoku) such as Polytrichastrum formosum (Hedw.) G. L. Smith; Polytrichum Hedw. (Sugigoke-zoku) such as Polytrichum commune Hedw. (Uma-sugigoke); Ceratodon Bird. (Yanouenoaka-goke-zoku) such as Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Bird. (Yanoueno-akagoke); Dicranum Hedw. (Shippogoke-zoku) such as Dicranum japonicum Mitt. (Shippogoke), Dicranum nipponense Besch (O-shippogoke), Dicranum scoparium Hedw. (Kamojigoke), Dicranum polysetum Sw. (Nami-shippogke); Leucobryum Hampe (Shiragagoke-zoku) such as Leucobryum scabrum Lac. (O-shiragagoke), Leucobryum juniperoideum (Brid.) C. Mull. (Hosoba-okinagoke); Bryum Hedw. (Hariganegoke-zoku) such as Bryum argenteum Hedw. (Gingoke); Rhodobryum (Schimp.) Hampe (Kasagoke-zoku) such as Rhodobryum giganteum (schwaegr.) Par. (O-kasagoke); Plagiomnium T. Kop. (Tsuru-chochingoke-zoku) such as Plagiomnium acutum (Lindb.) T. Kop. (Kotsubogoke); Trachycystis Lindb. (Kobano-chochingoke-zoku) such as Trachycystis microphylla (Dozy et Molk.) Lindb. (Kobano-chochingoke); Pyrrhobryum Mitt. (Hinokigoke-zoku) such as Pyrrhobryum dozyanum (Lac.) Manuel (Hinokigoke); Bartramia Hedw. (tamagoke-zoku) such as Bartramia pomiformis Hedw. (O-tamagoke); Climacium Web. et Mohr (Koyano-mannengusa-zoku) such as Climacium dendroides (Hedw.) Web. et Mohr (Furoso), Climacium japonicium Lindb. (Koyano-mannengusa); Racomitrium Brid. (Shimofurigoke-zoku) such as Racomitrium ericoides (Web. et Brid) Brid (Hai-sunagoke), Racomitrium japonicium Dozy et Molk. (Ezo-sunagoke), Racomitrium canescens (Hedw.) Brid. ssp. Latifolium (Sunagoke), Racomitrium barbuloides Card. (Kobanosunagoke); Hypnum Hedw., nom. cons. (Haigoke-zoku) such as Hypnum plumaeforme Wils. (Haigoke); Thuidium Bruch et Schimp. in B. S. G. (Shinobugoke-zoku) such as Thuidium Kanedae Sak. (Toyama-shinobugoke). In many cases, these mosses favor a growth environment different from that favored by sphagnum. Therefore, moss plants which will go with sphagnum must be carefully selected, considering various factors such as optimum growth pH.
These moss plants may be employed singly or in combination of two or more species.
When a water-permeable composition containing a moss plant is used as the dried-sphagnum molded product of the present sphagnum cultivation base, at least at the point in time when the base product is completed, the moss plant is preferably exposed from the surface of the water-permeable composition, from the viewpoint of ensuring photosynthesis of the moss plant and appearance of the base.
In order to expose a moss plant, firstly, the amount of the moss plant contained in the water-permeable composition may be increased. Specifically, the moss plant is incorporated into the water-permeable composition in an amount of about 2 to about 15 times (by mass) the total amounts of the other components. When the amount of the moss plant is less than twice the amount of the other components, the other components (paper fiber, fine soil matter, and dried sphagnum) cover a larger area of the surface of the water-permeable composition, preventing sufficient photosynthesis of the moss plant. When the amount of the moss plant exceeds 15 times the amount of the other components, fixation force of the moss plant to the water-permeable composition tends to be weak.
In a second method, while the amount of the moss plant in the water-permeable composition is less than twice (by mass) (preferably, is 0.1 to 1 times) the amount of the other components, part of the moss plant that is located near the surface of the formed water-permeable composition is positively exposed through any of various methods.
For example, in a method 1), the formed water-permeable composition is dried, and the surface of the composition is planed by means of an electric-powered tool equipped with a file or a similar tool. Alternatively, in the most preferred method 2), in the course of molding a water-permeable composition, a water flow is applied to the surface of the precursor composition before complete loss of moisture.
The exposure method 2) is considerably advantageous in that the moss plant can be effectively exposed and that the exposure process generates no dust, which may otherwise be formed through peeling or a similar technique.
In the exposure method 2) employing a water flow, when the water flow is applied to the precursor composition, the precursor composition still contains moisture; i.e., the precursor composition is in the state of “before solidified.” Therefore, if a typical precursor composition containing no moss plant is employed, the entire precursor composition may be disintegrated by the water flow. However, disintegration of the entire precursor composition is prevented, since the water flow is weakened by part of the moss plant that is located near the surface of the precursor composition to which the water flow is applied. Therefore, only fine soil matter or “shredded paper or the like” present near the surface of the precursor composition is removed by the water flow. Thus, the exposure method 2) enables very easy exposure of the moss plant in a desired exposure state. Notably, the power of the water flow may be as low as that of a water flow obtained from typical household tap water in Japan, by mounting a hose equipped with a nozzle to the tap and allowing water to flow through the hose and the nozzle (although the water pressure of the thus-obtained water flow may be insufficient in the case where the volume of water supply is limited or in other cases where the tap water pressure is lowered).
When the water-permeable composition forms a sphere or a similar shape, exposure of a moss plant may be performed through the following steps: a precursor composition of a water-permeable composition is molded to a desired shape, a plurality of the molded products that have not been completely dried are placed in a water bath equipped with a water-flow-generating mechanism such as a washing machine, and a water flow is generated to cause the water flow and the water-permeable composition molded products to be brought into contact with one another, to thereby expose the moss plant by the friction force generated therebetween. When the water-bath treatment is performed through use of a typical household washing machine, the water-permeable composition molded products are brought into contact with one another in the water stream for about 2 to about 10 minutes.
As described above, by molding a precursor composition of a water-permeable composition into a desired shape and drying the molded product, a support having the desired shape is provided.
b-4) When the depression of the support is not a through-hole extending through the support (i.e., the depression has a closed bottom), and the support has no passageway extending from the closed bottom to the bottom of the support, the support is required to be formed of a water-permeable material as described above for allowing passage of water through the support body from a water basin to the dried sphagnum placed in the depression. Examples of the water-permeable material include bisque, paper clay, gravel, and pumice. However, in this embodiment, when water of the water basin is obtained from a water source which abundantly contains microorganisms, such as a eutrophic lake or marsh, a muddy river, or recycle water produced by simple treatment of sewage, it is very likely that microorganisms are brought into contact with the live sphagnum.
c) Other Molding Methods
Methods for molding dried sphagnum other than the methods described in a) and b) are exemplified as follows. For example, dried sphagnum may be imparted a shape (i.e., molded) by laying the individual dried sphagnum bodies one over another to have a desired shape, and binding the shaped plants through use of a wire material (e.g., cotton thread, silk thread, or metal wire), a film material, or a mesh material. “Molding” also encompasses packing, with dried sphagnum, a hole formed in the ground, a concrete surface, or a similar surface.
Alternatively, molding may be performed by forming an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum to a desired shape; setting any of the above moss plants on an area of the side surface, the area being proximate to the bottom of the mass and surrounding the mass [the area corresponding to the side determined in consideration of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum when the present sphagnum cultivation base is placed in such an orientation as to grow sphagnum in the base (i.e., in a state enabling use of the base according to the present invention)]; covering the area with a transparent film; allowing the set moss plant to grow; and removing the transparent film. Through this process, the mass of the dried sphagnum can be molded through use of the moss plant set on a surrounding surface of the mass.
Alternatively, molding may be performed by, instead of planting the above moss plant, sowing seeds of a typical plant on an area of the side surface of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, the area being proximate to the top of the mass and surrounding the mass; allowing the seeds to spread roots in the dried sphagnum to form a root-spread surface; and removing the film and the seeds. Through the process, the mass of the dried sphagnum can be molded through use of the root-spread surface.
The above-described molding methods a) to c) may be employed singly or in combination of two or more methods. In particular, when a support is employed in the present sphagnum cultivation base, the molding method a) is preferably employed in combination.
(2) Live Sphagnum
The “stem portion having a growth point” means the following: even if the stem of live sphagnum is cut along a plane within a stem portion having a “growth point,” the plant body of the live sphagnum can extend from the cut plane. Specifically, the present sphagnum cultivation base preferably employs sphagnum containing stems having a length of about 2 cm or more. The live sphagnum containing leaves (leaf-like portions) and branches (branched portions) is preferred, from the viewpoint of design, but it may be the case that the live sphagnum contains neither leaves nor branches. So long as the live sphagnum contains a stem portion having a growth point, cultivation of sphagnum can be performed through use of the present sphagnum cultivation base (leaves and branches themselves can also grow). Whether or not a stem portion or a similar portion has a growth point can be determined by detecting, with the naked eye, the presence or absence of a greenish color in a cut plane of the stem or a similar portion. Specifically, the presence of a greenish color reveals that the stem portion contains a growth point, whereas the absence of a greenish color reveals that the stem portion contains substantially no growth point.
When stems of live sphagnum are referred to as being “bunched” or “densely collected,” it means that a plurality of live sphagnum bodies are gathered with their stems aligned. Typical examples of this mode include bundled stems. The stems may or may not be entangled with one another. In addition, the “bunched stems” or “bunch of stems” may be formed from a single live sphagnum plant by folding the stem of the sphagnum. Preferably, the “bunched stems” employed in the present sphagnum cultivation base, etc. has stems under compressed conditions, since the stems under compressed conditions are advantageous in forming a raised mound of live sphagnum (also known as “hillock”), which will be described later.
The “bunch of stems” may be placed, in the present sphagnum cultivation base, at one or more sites and at one or more bunches per site. The site(s) may be located inside or outside the dried-sphagnum molded product. The “bunch of stems” is required to be in contact with the dried-sphagnum molded product so as to allow the live sphagnum to use, for growing, water absorbed by the dried-sphagnum molded product (soaking water).
In addition, a portion of live sphagnum that contains a growth point is required to be substantially exposed from the dried-sphagnum molded product. This is because the growth point of the live sphagnum is required not to be submerged in water in the present sphagnum cultivation base, and the “not-submerged in water” conditions can be readily realized by substantially exposing the growth point of the live sphagnum from the dried-sphagnum molded product.
As used herein, “substantially exposing” means not only the state in which the live sphagnum is projected from the dried-sphagnum-moss, but also the state in which, for example, the live sphagnum has a length smaller than the depth of the depression formed in the dried-sphagnum molded product; i.e., the top end of the live sphagnum thus remains in the depression, as well as the state in which a space is provided above the support, corresponding to the live sphagnum so that the live sphagnum can grow to be exposed from the dried-sphagnum molded product.
In the present sphagnum cultivation base, as described above, the live sphagnum is exposed at a surface portion of the base. The aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is also required to be exposed to another or the remaining portion of the base, which is different from the live sphagnum-exposed portion. The exposed portion of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is also required to be connected to an area in contact with the live sphagnum in the present sphagnum cultivation base. The exposed portion of the dried sphagnum is brought into contact with water of a water basin to absorb water, and the absorbed water is allowed to infiltrate to the area in contact with the live sphagnum, whereby water is fed to the live sphagnum for growing the live sphagnum in the present sphagnum cultivation base.
As described above, the present sphagnum cultivation base should have a portion formed of dried sphagnum, the portion being located at a site different from the exposure site of the live sphagnum and to be brought into contact with water of a water basin when the present sphagnum cultivation base is used. As described above, feeding water through the dried sphagnum to the live sphagnum is advantageous in that water is filtrated through the dried sphagnum to remove undesired components of the water basin (e.g., dirt), and the thus-obtained clean water can be fed to the live sphagnum. The effect of the filtration can be enhanced by increasing the total length of the dried sphagnum (the total length encompasses the longitudinal length of a single dried sphagnum plant and the total length of a plurality of dried sphagnum plants bound together in the longitudinal direction).
(3) Embodiments of the Present Sphagnum Cultivation Base
1) In a first embodiment, the present sphagnum cultivation base employs no support. FIGS. 2 (1) to (4) show an exemplary process for production of a sphagnum cultivation base 20A, etc. of the present invention according to the first embodiment.
In
Thus, there can be produced a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention, containing live sphagnum 23 and the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum 221 which is molded, the stem 231 of the live sphagnum 23 being in contact with the inside of the molded product.
Alternatively, a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention may be produced by preparing a dried-sphagnum molded product and fixing a bunch of live sphagnum whose stems are bunched to the molded product with bringing the bunched stems (i.e., densely collected stems) into contact with the molded product. Accordingly, there is provided “a sphagnum cultivation base comprising a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum having a depression, one or more units of the bunched stems of live sphagnum are inserted into the depression, preferably under compressed condition or tightly, and a growth point of the live sphagnum is substantially exposed from the depression of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum.” For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 (1) to (5), there are prepared a hollow cylindrical member 241 having open ends and a circular bottom plate 242 having a projection 2421. The circular bottom plate 242 can be assembled to and removed from the hollow cylindrical member 241. The bottom plate 242 is assembled to the hollow cylindrical member 241 such that the projection 2421 is located inside the hollow cylindrical member, to thereby form a bottom of the hollow cylindrical member. Into the inside space of the cylindrical member, a water-containing composition 243 containing dried sphagnum is poured [
Alternatively, the method for producing the present sphagnum cultivation base shown in FIGS. 2 (1) to (4) may be modified as follows. For example, in the step performed prior to rolling of the sheet in the direction indicated by arrow 211, a rod member (not shown) is placed on dried sphagnum instead of the live sphagnum 23, and the sheet is rolled. Subsequently, the rod member is removed from the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, to thereby produce a dried-sphagnum molded product having a depression formed therein at a place corresponding to the rod. A stem bunch 231 of the live sphagnum 23 is fitted into the depression of the dried-sphagnum molded product, thereby producing a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention.
It should be noted that, although one unit of live sphagnum 23 is employed in these examples, two or more units of live sphagnum 23′ may be employed as shown in FIGS. 4 (1) and (2). Specifically, two or more units of live sphagnum 23′ are processed in a manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 2 (1) to (4) [
Alternatively, instead of the bottom plate 242 having a single projection 2421 shown in FIGS. 3 (1) and (2), a bottom plate 242′ having a plurality of projections 2422 may be employed. Specifically, the general procedure shown in FIGS. 3 (1) to (5) is performed through use of the bottom plate 242′ [
As described above, the present sphagnum cultivation bases 20A and 20B are molded through use of the hardenable, water-containing composition. Alternatively or additionally, other methods may be employed to produce a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention. For example, as described in c) above, an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum may be molded through use of a linear material (e.g., cotton thread, silk thread, metal wire) or a film material. Alternatively, an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum may be molded through use of a moss or a root-spread surface.
In the first embodiment, the height of the present sphagnum cultivation base [i.e., the height of the dried-sphagnum molded product when the base is placed for use, as measured from the bottom of the molded product to the exposed live sphagnum (the highest one when a plurality of live sphagnum plants are employed): the height corresponding to h in the case of the present sphagnum cultivation base 10A] is not higher than the maximum height to which the dried sphagnum can deliver water, and the height of the present sphagnum cultivation base may be appropriately determined in accordance with specific usages of the base. The height to which water can be delivered varies depending on the type, quality, or a similar factor of the dried sphagnum, and is difficult to determine accurately. However, typical height is about 60 cm. The sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention must have a certain height, since, for growth of the live sphagnum, the live sphagnum is required not to submerge in water of a water basin. There has already been reported a sphagnum cultivation performed at a height of 0 cm or thereabouts. The present sphagnum cultivation base is required to have a height of at least about 2 cm, preferably 5 cm or more. When the height is lower than about 2 cm, the live sphagnum is difficult to bring into steady contact with the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum in a stable manner, and in practice the live sphagnum cannot be maintained above water of a water basin.
2) In a second embodiment, the present sphagnum cultivation base employs a support. FIGS. 6 (1) to (4) schematically show a production process of a sphagnum cultivation base 30A, etc. of the present invention according to the second embodiment.
In
Alternatively, the support 35A and the dried sphagnum are molded in continuous steps. Specifically, the cylindrical member in the state shown in
No particular limitation is imposed on the shape of the support. For example, as shown in
Through use of differently designed supports, sphagnum cultivation bases can be produced in various forms. For example, in
Also in the second embodiment, like the sphagnum cultivation base according to the first embodiment, the distance (height) between the present sphagnum cultivation base and the live sphagnum is not greater than the maximum height to which the dried sphagnum can deliver water, and, specifically, the maximum height is typically about 60 cm. The height is at least about 2 cm, preferably 5 cm or higher.
<The Cultivation Method and Cultivation System of the Present Invention>
The above-described sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention facilitates cultivation of sphagnum moss through implementation of the present cultivation method by use of the present cultivation system, and cultivation of sphagnum can promote improvement of the environment.
In the present cultivation method and cultivation system, a portion of the sphagnum cultivation base that differs from the exposed portion of live sphagnum; typically, an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, is brought into contact with the water of a water basin, whereby the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is saturated with water and the water (soaking water) is supplied to the live sphagnum. Meanwhile, the growth points of the live sphagnum (i.e., the portions that will grow as branches and leaves) must be maintained at the water surface of the water basin, or at a position higher than the water surface of the water basin.
(1) The term “water basin” is broadly defined as an area where water can exist to directly supply water to the present sphagnum cultivation base, and the water basin may be man-made or natural. That is, if natural, the water basin is generally defined as natural water basins such as lakes, marshes, moors, bogs, rivers, and groundwater zones; if man-made, the water basin is broadly defined as small-scale, man-made water basins such as plates, jars, and vats; comparatively large-scale man-made water basins such as water storage tanks, ponds, man-made rivers, man-made groundwater zones, pools, dams, and rice fields; or other man-made water basins produced according to a desired design.
(2) No particular limitation is imposed on the portion of the present sphagnum cultivation base which is brought into contact with the water of the water basin, so long as such contact at least enables the water of the water basin to contact the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum. In an example of the most basic embodiment, an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is substantially exposed at the portion of contact with water. Here, the term “substantially exposed” means, in a case where the present sphagnum cultivation base is placed in the water basin, that the water of the water basin is in such a state that it can directly contact the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum. So long as this is the case, this expression naturally encompasses cases where the present sphagnum cultivation base is not used in combination with the above-described support, as well as cases where a support is employed, and the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum protrudes from the support, or a through-hole formed at a bottom portion of the support is filled so as to become level. However, in addition to this, cases where the through-hole is filled with an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum so as to define a depression also fall within the scope of “substantially exposed,” so long as the aforementioned contact conditions with the water of the water basin are fulfilled. Further, a water-permeable material such as a sponge, water-permeable film, or meshed material or the like may be provided between the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and the water of the water basin, to the extent that the water of the water basin can quantitatively and qualitatively contact the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the region surrounding the entrance of the through-hole of this bottom portion may be the same as the cross-sectional area of the region surrounding the through-hole on the live sphagnum side. However, this cross-sectional area may be smaller than above, so long as an amount of soaking water sufficient for nurturing the live sphagnum is ensured in the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum. Cases where the cross-sectional area of the region surrounding the through-hole of the bottom portion is favorably made smaller than that of the live sphagnum side have been recognized, as this is a simple way to prevent slippage of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and moreover, this enables conservation of the dried sphagnum.
As the present sphagnum cultivation base in which the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum can be substantially exposed (“substantially exposed” embodiment), examples include the above-described sphagnum cultivation bases 20A, 20B, and 25 of the first embodiment. By making these such that the live sphagnum is on top and placed in the water basin, and such that water contacts the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum exposed at the bottom portion, water is raised up through the dried sphagnum from this contact point to the vicinity of the live sphagnum, thus supplying water to the live sphagnum. By virtue of this action, the sphagnum is nurtured. Further, in the sphagnum cultivation bases 30A, 30B, and 30C of the second embodiment, each of the aggregated masses of dried sphagnum is exposed at the bottom portion of the through-hole provided in the support. By placing the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum on the water basin so that the bottom portions having through-holes are on the water, water contacts the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum exposed from the through-hole of the bottom portion. Water is drawn up from these contact points to the vicinity of the live sphagnum through the dried sphagnum and water supplied to the live sphagnum, whereby the sphagnum is nurtured. In this manner, in the sphagnum cultivation base of the second embodiment, the feature where the depression provided in the support is a through-hole is one of the simplest features that enables supply of water to the live sphagnum through the dried-sphagnum molded product.
It should be noted that in a possible configuration of the present sphagnum cultivation base 30D of the second embodiment and the above-described bases 30A to 30C, the through-hole is not provided, and the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum in the support appears to fit inside in a closed state. In a case such as this, for example, there is provided a water in-flow opening on the face side of the support which opening leads water from the face side to the side of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and another opening on the side of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, the position of the water in-flow opening being higher than the position of the opening on the side of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and this sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention is placed in the water basin where the water surface is higher than the opening of the face side. By making the water flow in from the exterior towards the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and making the water contact the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, the live sphagnum can be cultivated.
Moreover, when, for example, the material of the support is a water-permeable material, by placing the present sphagnum cultivation base on the water basin having a water surface higher than the lowest position of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum at the inner side of the support, the water of the water basin penetrates the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum through the water-permeable material. This water having permeated further contacts the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, whereby the live sphagnum can be cultivated.
(3) Further, the portions including the growth points of the live sphagnum; i.e., the portions that grow as branches and leaves, must be maintained at a position higher than that of the water surface of the water basin.
These conditions are for maintaining the present sphagnum cultivation base so that the portions including the growth points of the live sphagnum are substantially prevented from being submerged underwater. Here, the expression “substantially prevented from being submerged underwater” means that the portions including the growth points of the live sphagnum are not in such a state that they are constantly underwater. For example, in a case where the present sphagnum cultivation base is installed outdoors, temporary submersion of the growth points of the live sphagnum in water due to rainfall or the like is permissible. Further, the supply of water from above the present sphagnum cultivation base with shower water or the like is also permissible, so long as the growth of the live sphagnum is not inhibited.
(4) The present cultivation method and present cultivation system differ from conventional sphagnum cultivation systems employed only on a small scale in several points. In one such point, in the present invention, the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum acts as the water-absorption means of the live sphagnum. More specifically, with conventional techniques, dried sphagnum is thinly spread as is and used as a mere water-retaining material, and cultivation of live sphagnum is performed by continuous water absorption from above. However, in the present invention, dried sphagnum is formed as an aggregated mass, whereby the bulk of the dried sphagnum is formed in a state where it can be maintained high relative to the water surface. Due to the sphagnum characteristic of having extremely excellent water-absorption capability, water is raised from below to above through this mass of dried sphagnum almost as if with a natural pump, thereby enabling supply of water to the live sphagnum arranged above. The surprising aspect of this is that the stem of live sphagnum and the dried sphagnum contacting it act just as a grafted tree, to thereby form a united body of the live sphagnum and the dried sphagnum. Transfer of water from the dried sphagnum to the live sphagnum can thus be performed very smoothly. In conventional techniques, live sphagnum can be managed by supplying water from above; however, inspection of checking the presence of water must be performed within a short period of time. This is cumbersome even with small-scale cultivation, and thus, large-scale cultivation of sphagnum with the aim of aggressive environmental recovery is extremely difficult.
In contrast, in the case of the present invention, a water basin is provided below and so long as water is secured therein, water can be supplied to the live sphagnum, thereby enabling continuous nurturing of the live sphagnum even without frequent inspections. Moreover, as the live sphagnum grows, the lower portion tissue (i.e., the stem) decays and with this decay, humic acid and fulvic acid, which are organic acids, seep through to the exterior, thereby forming an acidic environment that is resistant to microbial contamination. By virtue of this, management of the sphagnum cultivation becomes even simpler.
Further, the stems of live sphagnum in the present sphagnum cultivation base used in the present cultivation method and the present cultivation system are, as previously described, gathered into a bunch, preferably in a compressed bunch. In the present invention, an objective of making the stems of live sphagnum into a bunch, preferably into a compressed bunch, is to artificially reproduce a distinct colony called a “hillock,” which is recognized in the natural world as accompanying the growth of sphagnum. Surprisingly, by forming the stems of live sphagnum into a bunch (i.e., aligned stems are densely collected), as in the present invention, growth of the sphagnum is remarkably facilitated, to a greater extent than in a case where live sphagnum is dispersed and cultivated (this will be discussed later).
For attaining accelerated growth of live sphagnum through this hillock formation, the live sphagnum is preferably propagated on a flat surface and/or a curved surface, which extends in a substantially continuous manner to the opening-defining surface, on the live sphagnum side, of the depression of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum in the first embodiment, in which the depression of the present sphagnum cultivation base is provided; or of the depression of the support in the second embodiment.
FIGS. 9 (1) to (6) are diagrams showing the accelerated propagation process of live sphagnum plants that have formed a hillock in the vicinity of the above-described depression.
Initially, the live sphagnum 23′ extends in the upward direction [
In this manner, in the course of hillock formation, a cycle (i.e., extend in the upward direction→extend in a radial pattern→sprouting of regeneration buds→extension of regeneration buds in the upward direction→extension in radial pattern of regenerated live sphagnum→sprouting of again-regenerated buds→ . . . ) is repeated, whereby propagation of live sphagnum can be accelerated. Without this hillock formation, repetition of this kind of cycle does not occur and propagation stops at an extremely limited level.
It should be noted that the aforementioned flat surface A112 can be a curved surface, or a combination of flat and curved surfaces. However, the inclination of this flat surface and/or curved surface preferably falls within the range of −90° to +10° with respect to the horizontal plane of the opening A111 (more preferably, the inclination angle of the flat surface is substantially 0°). When the surface inclination is greater than +10°, the radial pattern extension of live sphagnum is inhibited, and there is a strong tendency for incident rays from the sun to be limited. When the surface inclination is less than −90°, live sphagnum droops. Further, a mechanism that can supply soaking water to the flat surface A112 (which may be a flat surface and/or a curved surface) may also be provided. This mechanism is typically a through-hole, connecting the upper and bottom surfaces of a component comprising this flat surface and/or curved surface, where a water-absorption material has been filled therein. Examples of this water-absorption material include dried sphagnum, live sphagnum, sponges, sand, water-absorbent resin, sea sponges, and the like; in consideration of factors such as water-lifting capability and cost, dried sphagnum is preferable. Further, no particular limitation is imposed on the distance from live sphagnum initially provided to the mechanism that can supply soaking water, but the preferable range of the distance is about 8 to 30 cm.
With reference to FIGS. 9 (1) to (6), the present sphagnum cultivation base 20B employs live sphagnum whose stems have neither branches nor leaves, and live sphagnum whose stems have both leaves and branches. Nonetheless, in place of any of these types of live sphagnum, live sphagnum whose stems have cut branches and leaves may be used so that growth points are exposed. This results in successful formation of a hillock of live sphagnum, and a propagation cycle similar to that described above can be attained.
Furthermore, as a propagation site for live sphagnum corresponding to the flat surface A112, representative examples of flat surfaces and/or curved surfaces already shown in the drawings include: the sphagnum cultivation base 30B of
Moreover, in the present cultivation method and cultivation system, in addition to the propagation promotion effect provided by the above-described hillock formation, the scale of cultivation can be further accelerated by virtue of the high reproductive ability of live sphagnum itself. That is, when live sphagnum is finely cut, many of the cut pieces themselves have reproductive capability. For example, even when initially cultivating by use of one present sphagnum cultivation base, at the stage where the leaves and branches of the live sphagnum have grown to a certain degree (preferably the stage where the leaves and branches have attained a length of about 10 cm), the branches or leaves are clipped and the clipped plant body is cut to a length of about 1 to about 2 cm. By re-using these cut pieces of live sphagnum as the live sphagnum of the present sphagnum cultivation base, multiple units of new sphagnum cultivation bases can be produced from one sphagnum cultivation base. In this case, the cut live sphagnum piece is preferably placed in its original orientation; that is, such that one end corresponding to the leaf side of the live sphagnum prior to cutting is at the upper side and the other end corresponding to the stem side is at the lower side, and the cut live sphagnum is preferably used as the live sphagnum of the present sphagnum cultivation base. When the orientation of this piece of live sphagnum is opposite the above description or the orientation is disturbed to present a disordered state, the direction of growth of the live sphagnum in the new sphagnum cultivation base may become non-uniform. Further, by using the present cultivation method and the present cultivation system, the original present sphagnum cultivation base can continuously reproduce leaves and branches from the remaining stem. As for the above-described clipping, the vicinity of the leaves is preferably cut about twice each year, and the entire stem about once each year. Further, the stem itself of the live sphagnum can be finely cut to lengths of about 2 cm and the obtained finely cut pieces can be used as the live sphagnum of the present sphagnum cultivation base.
(5) As described above, when live sphagnum is grown through use of the present sphagnum cultivation method and the present sphagnum cultivation system, the live sphagnum will densely propagate all over the initially provided flat surface and/or the curved surface serving as the site for propagation of live sphagnum, and at that point in time, the propagation of the live sphagnum slows down. However, there may be cases where provision of a wide space from the beginning with an aim to attain a massive propagation of live sphagnum is not necessarily appropriate. In such a case, it is often preferable to add sites for live sphagnum propagation at a later appropriate opportunity.
In other words, the present invention also provides a sphagnum cultivation system making use of a sphagnum cultivation base of the invention, in which a flat surface and/or a curved surface which extends substantially continuous with the opening of a depression of an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum or of a depression of a support, the opening being on the live sphagnum side, can be added at a later opportunity.
An “addition component” for providing a flat surface and/or curved surface to be extended later on is fixed in a contacting state to the outer extension portion of the component comprising the flat surface and/or curved surface substantially continuous with the opening of the depression of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum (basically in the first embodiment of the present sphagnum cultivation base) or the depression of the support (basically in the second embodiment of the present sphagnum cultivation base), the opening being on the live sphagnum side. Through use of the addition component, the flat surface and/or curved surface can be extended further to provide a continuous flat surface and/or curved surface.
For example, as shown in
Some exemplary manner of use of preferred addition components employed in the present sphagnum cultivation system in order to provide a continuous flat surface and/or curved surface extending from the initially provided flat surface and/or curved surface are: screw fixation to the outer extension portion with a screw; engagement with an interlocking structure provided at the outer extension portion (e.g., a lug provided in a protruded state in the outer direction from the bottom portion of the outer extension portion); abutment attained by placing in a state in contact with the outer extension portion; insertion attained by fitting into concave-convex structures provided on the outer extension portion; or bonding through adhesion by use of an adhesive (no particular limitation is imposed on this bonding means). These components are thus fixed, in contact, to the outer extension portion of a structural member comprising a flat surface and/or curved surface substantially continuous with the opening, on the live sphagnum side, of the depression of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum (basically in the first embodiment of the present sphagnum cultivation base) or the depression of the support (basically in the second embodiment of the present sphagnum cultivation base). For example, as shown in
FIGS. 11 (1) and (2) are a drawing showing a portion of a vertical cross-section of the present sphagnum cultivation system provided with additional flat surfaces created by addition components as shown in FIGS. 10 (2) to (4). A typical process for achieving the state shown in
(6) In this manner, by using the present cultivation method and the present cultivation system, cultivation of sphagnum can be performed easily and efficiently. The present invention enables formation of what amounts to a high moor at which sphagnum thrives, under a variety of environments even in metropolitan regions and man-made objects. Furthermore, the invention enables recovery of the continuously dwindling sphagnum bogs in the natural world. That is, under the current circumstances, the implications of efficiently cultivating expensive sphagnum with garden applications and the like are strikingly remarkable, along with the capability to easily form sphagnum bogs that have 4 to 5 times the capacity of regular plants to fix carbon dioxide, let alone the beautiful appearance of live sphagnum. Thus, the present invention is quite useful as it drastically alleviates the primary cause of global warming.
(7) The cultivation method and cultivation system of the present invention may be implemented, for example, in any of the following embodiments.
1) Embodiment in which the Present Sphagnum Cultivation Base is Installed in a Water Basin
As described above, the present sphagnum cultivation base has a portion at which the live sphagnum is exposed, and another or the other portion of the base is brought into contact with water of a water basin. In this embodiment, one or more sphagnum cultivation bases of the present invention are employed, and each base is brought into contact with water of a water basin through “installation” of the base in the water basin.
As used herein, “installation” literally refers to locating a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention (such as the sphagnum cultivation base 20A, 20B, 25, 30A, 30B, 30C, or 30D) at a site for implementing the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system, and encompasses, for example, forming a hole in the ground or a concrete surface and then placing a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention in the hole.
In this embodiment, for example, the water level of the water basin is preferably controlled such that live sphagnum of the present sphagnum cultivation base is prevented from being constantly submerged. Typically, the water level may be controlled such that water level is maintained under the height of the sphagnum cultivation base.
The simplest method to maintain the water level under the base in this embodiment for implementing the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system is, for example, that shown in
Alternatively and preferably, the water level may be controlled in a manner shown in
As described above,
This embodiment employing “installation” can be used in various applications such as a) uses on rooftops, b) uses in fallow paddy fields, c) indoor uses, and d) uses for restoring a field which was once a moor.
a) Uses on Rooftops
When the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system is used to form a water layer on a building rooftops or a similar site, a sphagnum bog can be produced on the rooftop. Cultivation of sphagnum on a rooftop or a similar site enables not only harvesting of sphagnum and fixation of carbon dioxide, but also greatly prevents an increase in temperature of the rooftop in summer. In addition, a plant unique to high moors such as Drosera rotundifolia, Vaccinium oxycoccux, Geum pentapetalum, or Primula nipponica can be grown together with sphagnum. Moreover, generation of mosquito larvae in a water basin can be substantially prevented due to acidic substances such as fulvic acid and humic acid derived from live sphagnum.
Typically, the “installation” on a rooftop or a similar site can be embodied through use of, for example, an artificial cultivation field for sphagnum, as shown in
Referring to
The present cultivation method or the present cultivation system can be implemented by fitting or placing a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention in a hole 615 formed in the gravel 614 of the artificial cultivation field 60 such that the live sphagnum is exposed, as shown in FIGS. 13 (1) to (5).
Alternatively, the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system may be implemented through use of an artificial cultivation field 60 shown in
b) Uses in Fallow Rice Field
This embodiment enables a fallow rice field to be transformed to a sphagnum bog for promotion of the agricultural sector. Water required to the sphagnum bog can be obtained from a water channel which has originally been provided for the paddy field.
Specifically, in this embodiment, for example, an artificial cultivation field 60 similar to that shown in
c) Indoor Uses
The present cultivation method or the present cultivation system can be implemented indoors, so long as the amount of light such as sunlight is sufficient for the sphagnum to perform photosynthesis necessary for its life. For indoor uses, a present sphagnum cultivation base may often require to have attractive features as an interior item. For example, the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system may be implemented on a relatively small scale through use of a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention having a support designed as desired, such as the present sphagnum cultivation base 30C. In relation to this embodiment, a sphagnum bog similar to that achieved on a rooftop as described above may also be established indoors, so long as light conditions as described above are available.
d) Uses for the Purpose of Recovery of a Former Moor
Recently, many high moors have been said to be transformed to intermediate or low moors, which are more difficult to last than high moors. In addition, moors themselves have been reported to rapidly dry up and on the way of disappearing. The present cultivation method or the present cultivation system can be employed to recover such a once-thrived moor.
Specifically, for example, a dried once-thrived moor is treated through a process as shown in FIGS. 13 (1) to (4), whereby water is delivered from the aquifer which has been lowered in the deep underground to live sphagnum located above the ground through pump-up action of the dried sphagnum, to thereby grow sphagnum for recovering the former moor to a high moor. When the level of the aquifer under the ground is too deep for the dried sphagnum to pump up water, a water source such as a water reservoir 632 shown in
2) Embodiment in which the Present Sphagnum Cultivation Base is Installed Above the Bottom of the Water Basin
As described above, the present sphagnum cultivation base has a portion at which the live sphagnum is exposed, and another or the other portion of the base is brought into contact with water of a water basin. In this embodiment, one or more sphagnum cultivation bases of the present invention are employed, and each base is brought into contact with water of a water basin through use of a mechanism with which the base can be placed above the bottom of the water basin.
This embodiment is suitable in the case where the water basin is isolated from the outside at some degree. The mechanism with which the base can be placed above the bottom of the water basin (hereinafter may be referred to as a hanging device) separates the sphagnum cultivation base from the bottom of the water basin by, for example, a force of raising the base.
In FIGS. 17 (1)-(6) (sectional elevation), a hanging device 71 is a lid of a water basin 73. The hanging device 71 has an opening 712 for allowing a stem bunch 711 of live sphagnum of the present sphagnum cultivation base 72 to be fitted in and an attachment portion 713 which is fitted in the periphery of the opening of the cylindrical water basin 73 to attach the hanging device 71 to the water basin 73 [
In addition, the hanging device may have, for example, small holes 714 for removal of water and for gas exchange, or may be provided with projections 715 [hanging device 71A shown in
In the present cultivation method or the present cultivation system in this embodiment employing “hanging” as described above, the hanging device serves as a lid sealing the water basin and thus can prevent evaporation of water from the water basin. The present embodiment is suitable for a) rooftop uses or b) indoor uses described above, or in c) uses on a slope or wall surface. In either uses a) or b) (i.e., rooftop uses or indoor uses), sphagnum moss can be nurtured by implementing the sphagnum cultivation method or sphagnum cultivation system described above on a rooftop or indoors under appropriate conditions.
An example of use c) which is realized on a slope or wall surface is shown in
3) Embodiment in which the Present Sphagnum Cultivation Base is Floated by Buoyant Force of the Base in the Vicinity of Water Surface of a Water Basin
As described above, the present sphagnum cultivation base has a portion at which the live sphagnum is exposed, and another or the other portion of the base is brought into contact with water of a water basin. In this embodiment, one or more sphagnum cultivation bases of the present invention are employed, and each base is brought into contact with water through use of a mechanism enabling the base to float, by buoyant force of the base, in the vicinity of water surface of the water basin.
The mechanism enabling the base to float, by buoyant force of the base, in the vicinity of water surface of the water basin is preferably implemented through use of a material or a device having a specific gravity lower than that of water. Examples of the material include expanded polystyrene and lumber. Examples of the device include a floating ball, a floating ring, and other devices containing a large amount of air or a similar gas.
For example, in
The present cultivation method or the present cultivation system in the “floating” embodiment is suitable in a) rooftop uses or b) indoor uses described above, or c) uses on the surface of dam lakes (artificial lakes) or water reservoirs. In either uses a) or b) (i.e., rooftop uses or indoor uses), sphagnum moss can be nurtured by implementing the sphagnum cultivation method or sphagnum cultivation system described above on a rooftop or indoors under appropriate conditions. Particularly when the embodiment is carried out on a relatively small scale, the sphagnum cultivation base according to the present embodiment is useful as an interior item, since the water tank and the expanded polystyrene part described above can be formed to have artistic appearances.
Use c) for surfaces of dam lakes (artificial lakes) or water reservoirs is one of the most promising applications. Specifically, when the present embodiment is carried out on the surface of a dam lake (artificial lake) or a water reservoir to cover the surface of the lake with sphagnum cultivation fields, evaporation of water can be reduced, and sphagnum can be cultivated without feed of water. In addition, cultivation of sphagnum is considered to slightly acidify the lake water and therefore to prevent generation of harmful planktons which may otherwise be caused by eutrophication or a similar cause.
FIGS. 21 (1) and (2) schematically show the “floating” embodiment performed on a large scale.
By maintaining the state shown in FIGS. 21 (1) and (2), sphagnum can be grown through use of the present sphagnum cultivation bases 824 on the lake surface of the dam lake 81, enabling not only cultivation of sphagnum, but also prevention of evaporation of water from the lake and improvement of environment with respect to the lake water.
In an embodiment in which the base is installed on a site, for example as shown in
In an embodiment of floating bases, for example as shown in
FIGS. 23 (1) to (3) show a sphagnum cultivation base 93 according to another embodiment of the present invention, employing a support floated on water.
As described above, environments suitable for nurturing live sphagnum can be realized in a variety of modes.
EXAMPLESThe present invention will next be described by way of Examples.
[The Sphagnum Cultivation Base According to the First Embodiment]
<Production>
(1) Old newspaper (4 g) was shredded in water (500 mL) and then kneaded thoroughly. The kneaded product was mixed with dried sphagnum plants (a commercially available product for gardening; boiled) (100 g, dry base), and water (3 L) was added thereto, thereby preparing, from shredded paper, a water-containing composition containing dried sphagnum plants.
(2) The water-containing composition (about 1 kg) was processed in a manner shown in FIGS. 3 (1) to (5), to thereby produce a dried-sphagnum molded product forming a cylinder (height: about 8 cm, diameter at bottom: about 15 cm) and having a depression (diameter: about 3 cm, depth: about 5 cm) at a center portion of one bottom of the cylinder. Separately, a bunch of live sphagnum (about 2 g, dry base) was prepared by use of Sphagnum palustre L. plants obtained in large-scale cultivation to be described later, the bunch containing branches, leaves, and stems, the stems being cut so as to have a length of 5 cm. Subsequently, the bunch was pushed into the above depression in such a manner that only the stems were twisted to be pushed in the depression in a compressed manner, to thereby prepare a sole sphagnum cultivation base according to the first embodiment.
<Growth Test>
(1) Two sphagnum cultivation bases according to the first embodiment prepared in the manner described in (2) above were placed in a plastic container having numerous side holes, and the plastic container was placed in a larger dish-like container. Sand was placed in the plastic container such that dried-sphagnum molded products of the two sphagnum cultivation bases were barely covered. Water was continuously fed to the outer dish-like container, and the water level was controlled to about 2 to 5 cm through removal of excessive water via a drain hole. Thus, the lower part (2 to 5 cm from the bottom) of each sphagnum cultivation base was always in contact with water, while water level was maintained so as not to exceed the above level. The sphagnum cultivation bases were left to stand for three months (June to August) on the rooftop of a building in Tokyo.
Another test was performed simultaneously with the above test. Specifically, dried sphagnum plants were placed in the plastic container to a level of about 6 cm, on which a thin layer of sand was formed. On the sand layer, live sphagnum plants (about 8 g (dry base); i.e., about four times the amount of the live sphagnum plants employed in the above Example) were laid such that the plants overlapped with one another, and the container was left to stand under the same conditions. Also in this test, the sphagnum plants were found to grow to a certain degree. However, the growth level was clearly found to be low as compared with the case of the above Example.
The difference in growth level is considered to be attributed to the form of the live sphagnum plants; i.e., in the above Example, the stems of the live sphagnum plants are tightly bundled, and the leaves and/or branches form a hillock.
(2) There was prepared a lightweight orbicular board made of expanded polystyrene having a thickness of about 3 cm and a diameter of about 15 cm. In the board, numerous small holes having a diameter of about 1.5 cm were formed. In each small hole, dried sphagnum plants were packed into the lower part (from the bottom to the level of about 1 cm), and a bunch of live sphagnum as described above (the stems having been cut to have a length of about 2 cm) were placed onto the dried sphagnum plants such that the stems were tightly fit in the hole. The board was allowed to float in a water bath such that the dried sphagnum plants came to the lower side. The lower side surface had been covered with a metal wire net so as not to allow the dried sphagnum plants to fall. The board was left to stand from June to September in a sunny room in Tokyo. During the course of the test, leaves and branches of the sphagnum plants grew, and, finally, the sphagnum plants covered substantially the entire surface of the lightweight orbicular board (
[The Sphagnum Cultivation Base According to the Second Embodiment]
Shredded newspaper (180 g) and fine soil matter (500 g) [containing particulate cultivation soil dedicated for paddy rice seedling culture (400 g) and clay (100 g), the particulate cultivation soil having been finely granulated by means of a mixer to have a particle size comparable to that of a commercial non-particulate cultivation soil product] were incorporated into water (3 L), and the mixture was stirred and kneaded, to thereby prepare a precursor composition for a water-permeable composition (3 L).
The precursor composition was placed in a mold, and water was drained, to thereby produce a pumpkin-shaped molded product having a height of about 12 cm and a diameter at the bottom of about 15 cm and having a through-hole (diameter: about 5 cm) extending from top to bottom. After the mold was removed, the molded product was dried, to thereby prepare a support body. A water-containing composition containing shredded paper as described above and dried sphagnum plants was packed into the lower part of the through-hole (from the bottom to the level of 7 cm). A bunch of live sphagnum containing stems (5 cm) and small amounts of leaves and branches was placed in the upper part of the through-hole such that the stems were bundled and fit into the through-hole. The support body was decorated to form a face, whereby a sphagnum cultivation base according to the second embodiment of the present invention was obtained. The base was placed in a washbowl, and water was poured into the washbowl. The water level in the washbowl was controlled to a certain level. Thus, growth of the live sphagnum plants and enjoyable appearance were attained simultaneously (FIG. 28).
[Large-Scale Cultivation of Sphagnum]
Large-scale cultivation of Sphagnum palustre L. plants was attempted through use of a fallow paddy field (about 5,000 m2) in a town in Ogachi-gun District, Akita Prefecture. Specifically, the field was dug to a depth of about 30 cm, to thereby form a stepdown area, or a trench. In order to prevent water from permeating from the bottom of the stepdown area, the bottom was coated with clay. Water conduits from an irrigation channel were connected to the stepdown area at a level proximate to the bottom for continuously feeding water from the irrigation channel. Drain ports were provided at a level of about 20 cm from the bottom for maintaining water level so as not to exceed the drain port level. In the stepdown area having such utilities, gravel was laid, thereby forming a field for cultivating sphagnum plants. Subsequently, holes (diameter: about 5 cm, depth: about 15 cm) were formed in the field, and dried sphagnum plants were packed into each hole (from the hole bottom to a level of about 10 cm). Separately, bunches of natural Sphagnum palustre L. were prepared, each bunch containing bundle of stems, the stems having been cut to have a length of about 5 cm. Each bunch was placed on the upper part of each hole such that the stems fit in the hole, to thereby form a sphagnum cultivation base of the present invention (one base per 10 cm×10 cm). The cultivation field was left to stand.
The Sphagnum palustre L. propagated all over the cultivation field [
The present invention provides a sphagnum cultivation base which facilitates efficient and easy cultivation of sphagnum and is capable of improving environmental conditions, and a sphagnum cultivation system employing the cultivation base.
Claims
1. A sphagnum cultivation base comprising a shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and one or more units of live sphagnum, each of said unit(s) is a bunch of live sphagnum whose stems are bunched, the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum being in contact with the bunched stems of live sphagnum, a growth point of the live sphagnum being substantially exposed outside the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum, and the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum being maintained under condition that permit contact with water of a water basin.
2. The sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 1, wherein the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is given a shape by a binder component containing at least paper fiber.
3. The sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 1, wherein the shape-imparted, aggregated mass of dried sphagnum has a depression, one or more unit(s) of the bunched stems of live sphagnum are inserted into the depression under compressed condition, and a growth point of the live sphagnum is substantially exposed from the depression of the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum.
4. The sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 1, wherein the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is given a shape by being fitted into a depression provided in a support.
5. The sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 4, wherein the depression provided in the support is a through hole that penetrates the support.
6. The sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 4, wherein the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum is substantially exposed at the bottom of the cultivation base.
7. A sphagnum cultivation method, comprising
- preparing a sphagnum cultivation base as described in claim 1,
- wetting the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum by bringing the mass into contact with the water of the water basin, while maintaining a growth point of a live sphagnum plant at a point above the water surface of the water basin, and
- supplying the water that permeates the aggregated mass to wet the dried sphagnum to live sphagnum, to thereby nurture the live sphagnum.
8. The sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 7, wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and the water of the water basin is achieved by installation of the sphagnum cultivation base in the water basin.
9. The sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 7, wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and the water of the water basin is achieved by means of a mechanism which permits the sphagnum cultivation base to be placed above the bottom of the water basin.
10. The sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 7, wherein the contact between the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum and the water of the water basin is achieved by means of a mechanism making use of a buoyant force to thereby float the sphagnum cultivation base in the vicinity of water surface.
11. The sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 7, wherein the sphagnum cultivation base has a flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening, on the live sphagnum side, of a depression provided in an aggregated mass of dried sphagnum or a depression provided in a support, to thereby propagate live sphagnum on the flat and/or curved surface.
12-16. (canceled)
17. The sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 11, wherein the flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening is a flat and/or curved surface which can be added later on.
18-21. (canceled)
22. An addition component for providing an add-on flat and/or curved surface which is used in a sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 11, which component further provides an additional add-on flat and/or curved surface by being fixed, in a contacting manner, to an outer extension of a member defining a first flat and/or curved surface which extends substantially continuously from the opening, on the live sphagnum side, of a depression provided in the aggregated mass of dried sphagnum or a depression provided in a support, whereby said additional add-on flat and/or curved surface forms a continuous flat and/or curved surface extending from the first flat and/or curved surface.
23-24. (canceled)
25. Sphagnum obtained by the sphagnum cultivation method as described in claim 11.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 26, 2003
Publication Date: Oct 19, 2006
Applicant: Mitsuharu Shimura (Tokyo)
Inventors: Minoru Takeda (Tokyo), Mitsuharu Shimura (Tokyo)
Application Number: 10/540,869
International Classification: B65D 85/84 (20060101);