HYDROPONICS GROWING MEDIUM
A hydroponics growing medium comprising mineral fibres and an organic binder, the growing medium has a Weathered Interlaminar Strength of at least 4 kilopascals and a phenol content of less than or equal to 0.01% by weight.
1 .- 13 . (canceled)
14 . A hydroponics growing medium comprising mineral fibers and an organic binder, the hydroponics growing medium having a weathered interlaminar strength of at least about 4 kilopascals and a phenol content of less than or equal to 0.01% by weight.
15 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein which the weathered interlaminar strength is at least about 5 kilopascals.
16 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 wherein the phenol content is less than 0.005% by weight.
17 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the organic binder is substantially phenol free.
18 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the hydroponics growing medium comprises about 2 to about 10% by weight of organic binder.
19 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the hydroponics growing medium comprises greater than about 4% by weight of organic binder.
20 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the organic binder comprises a product of a reaction including a reducing sugar.
21 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the organic binder comprises at least one Maillard reaction product.
22 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the organic binder comprises a product of a reaction of citric acid, ammonia and dextrose.
23 . The hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 , wherein the organic binder is a product of a reaction between reactants derived essentially from natural and sustainable raw materials.
24 . A method of growing a plant comprising using the hydroponics growing medium of claim 14 .
25 . A hydroponics growing medium comprising mineral fibers and an organic binder, the hydroponics growing medium having a weathered interlaminar strength of at least 4 kilopascals and the organic binder being derived essentially from natural and sustainable raw materials.