Gel-based horticultural substrate
A vertical substrate comprised of a gel on a wire or mesh scaffolding may be used for growth of plants. The gel may include two polysaccharide components, with a second of the two components providing increased rigidity and/or adherence to the scaffolding. Plants may be grown, including from seed, in the substrate.
1. A plant growth medium held vertically, comprising:
a vertically arranged substrate comprising a gel and a scaffolding for the gel, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface when held horizontally;
the gel comprising 0.2% to 3% gellan gum by weight and 0.0007% to 0.3% chitosan by weight; and
the scaffolding at least partially encapsulated in the gel and positioned about mid-way between the top surface and bottom surface of the substrate.
2. The plant growth medium of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is in a form of a planar slab.
3. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , wherein the scaffolding includes a wire frame assembly comprising a first wire mesh and a second wire mesh so as to form rectangular openings.
4. The plant growth medium of claim 3 , wherein the wire mesh includes openings between 4 and 50 times a width of wires in the mesh.
5. The plant growth medium of claim 3 , wherein the wire mesh includes a space between wires of 0.26 inches (0.66 cm) and 3.12 inches (7.93 cm).
6. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , wherein the mesh is comprised of metal.
7. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , wherein the mesh is comprised of plastic.
8. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , wherein the mesh is comprised of a synthetic material.
9. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , wherein the mesh is comprised of plastic-coated wire.
10. The plant growth medium of claim 2 , further comprising plant seeds approximately ⅛ inch from a first planar surface of the planar slab.
11. The plant growth medium of claim 1 , wherein the gel further comprises activated charcoal.
12. The plant growth medium of claim 1 , wherein the vertical substrate has a length between 5 feet and 9 feet and a width of between 29 inches and 7 feet.
13. The plant growth medium of claim 1 , wherein the gel further comprises an acidic fertigation solution having a conductivity between 1.0 and 1.4 millisiemens/centimeter.
14. The plant growth medium of claim 1 , wherein the gel further comprises, sodium nitrate, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, boron, calcium, magnesium, or any combination thereof.