Capillary hydration system and method
View Patent ↗A capillary hydration system and method for facilitating the growth of plants are provided. An exemplary system comprises a base having a reservoir for holding nutrient solution, and an insert portion. The insert portion comprises at least one downwardly extending plant receiving depression that is capable of holding a growth substrate. The plant receiving depression has at least one capillary opening such that when the capillary opening is in liquid communication with the nutrient solution in the reservoir, nutrient solution is wicked from the reservoir to the growth substrate by capillary action. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the capillary hydration system may further comprise cover, including a cover with a supply component for refilling the nutrient solution without removing the insert portion or the cover, and a nutrient supply level indicator.
1. A plant container for housing a plant within a plant substrate and nourishing the plant with a nutrient, the plant container comprising:
a top portion configured to house the plant and the plant substrate;
an insert portion comprising at least one plant support portion and a plurality of capillary openings, wherein the at least one plant support portion is configured to contain the plant and the plant substrate, wherein an interior wall of the at least one plant support portion is proximate the substrate and an exterior wall of the at least one plant support portion is proximate the nutrient solution;
a bottom portion, comprising a reservoir, the bottom portion being removably attachable to at least one of the top portion and the insert portion, wherein the insert portion is configured to be disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion; and
a nutrient supply device comprising a lid and a chute disposed at least within and adjacent to the top portion, wherein the chute extends downwardly in the space between the exterior wall of at least one plant support portion and the inside surface of the top and bottom portion to facilitate delivery of the nutrient to the reservoir without directly delivering nutrient to the plant substrate.
2. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one plant support portion is substantially cone shaped with a truncated rounded bottom, and wherein said capillary openings are formed in said truncated rounded bottom.
3. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein said plant substrate comprises at least one of soil, peat moss, expanded clay pebbles, rockwool, pumice stone, coconut peat fiber, compressed all natural coconut fiber, perlite, organic blends of coir, worm castings, organic compost, agrimineral 72 silicate and polymere hydro-crystals for hydrogardens.
4. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein said plant support portion is separate and removable from said reservoir.
5. A plant container according to claim 1 , further comprising a second bottom portion, said second bottom portion configured to be interchangeable with said bottom portion while the plant and said plant substrate are disposed within said top portion.
6. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein said nutrient supply device comprises at least one of a shaft, a tube, and hatch, and wherein said nutrient supply device further comprises an entrance and a lid disposed proximate said entrance.
7. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein the nutrient comprises fertilizer for hydrogardens.
8. A plant container according to claim 1 , wherein said top portion comprises a top portion alignment member, and wherein said bottom portion comprises a bottom portion alignment member disposed proximate said top portion alignment member and configured to align said top portion with said bottom portion.
9. A plant container according to claim 8 , wherein said top portion further comprises a supply device lid proximate an entrance of said nutrient supply device, and wherein said bottom portion comprises a nutrient level indicator, wherein said bottom portion alignment member and said top portion alignment member are configured to align said nutrient level indicator with said supply device lid.
10. A plant container according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one filter disposed proximate at least one of said plurality of substrate bearing members.
11. A plant container for housing a plant within a plant substrate and nourishing the plant with a nutrient, the plant container comprising:
a top portion configured to house the plant and the plant substrate;
an insert portion comprising at least one plant support portion a plurality of capillary openings, wherein the at least one plant support portion is configured to contain the plant and the plant substrate, wherein an interior wall of the at least one plant support portion is proximate the substrate and an exterior wall of the at least one plant support portion is proximate the nutrient solution;
a bottom portion, comprising a reservoir, the bottom portion being removably attachable to at least one of the top portion and the insert portion, wherein the insert portion is configured to be disposed between the top portion and the bottom portion; and
a nutrient supply device disposed at least within and adjacent to the top portion, said nutrient supply device comprising a lid configured to open to permit the delivery of nutrient solution; and wherein the nutrient supply device is located in the space between the external wall of the at least one plant support portion and the inner surface of the bottom and top portions so as to deliver the nutrient solution into the nutrient receiving area to the reservoir.