CELLULOSE FILAMENT MEDIUM FOR GROWING PLANT SEEDLINGS
Cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture. Composition of matter suitable for forming a cellulose filament medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture. Method of forming a medium for growing plant seedlings, comprising: adding a sufficient amount of water to a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture, to lower the consistency to between about 14% to 27%. Method of growing plant seedlings comprising: implanting plant seeds in a mixture of water and cellulose filaments, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture.
1 . A plant seedlings growth composition, comprising:
a mixture of cellulose filaments and an aqueous liquid, wherein the cellulose filaments are at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose filaments are untreated or treated.
3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the medium is treated to enhance the cation exchange capacity of the medium by adding enhancers, wherein the enhancers are selected from the group consisting of:
charged groups substituted onto the filaments;
peats;
clays;
nanoclays; and
combinations thereof.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the mixture is substantially free of soil.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose filaments are never-dried cellulose filaments.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein the cellulose filaments have
an average aspect ratio from about 200 to about 5000;
an average width from about 30 nm to about 500 nm; and
an average length of about 200 μm to about 2 mm.
7 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the cellulose filaments are at a consistency of between about 28% and 35% in the mixture.
8 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the cellulose filaments are unbleached.
9 . The composition of claim 1 wherein the cellulose filaments have
an average aspect ratio from about 200 to about 5000;
an average width from about 30 nm to about 500 nm; and
an average length of about 200 μm to about 2 mm.
10 . A method of forming a plant seedlings growth composition, comprising:
preparing a mixture of cellulose filaments and an aqueous liquid, the cellulose filaments being at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture; and
lowering the consistency of the cellulose filaments to between about 284% to 35% in the mixture.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the consistency of the cellulose filaments is further lowered to about 14% to 27% in the mixture.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cellulose filaments are unbleached.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cellulose filaments are untreated or treated.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising treating the mixture to enhance the cation exchange capacity of the mixture, wherein the treating comprises adding enhancers, wherein the enhancers are selected from the group consisting of:
charged groups substituted onto the cellulose filaments;
peats;
clays;
nanoclays; and
combinations thereof.
15 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the cellulose filaments have
an average aspect ratio from about 200 to about 5000;
an average width from about 30 nm to about 500 nm; and
an average length of about 200 μm to about 2 mm.
16 . A method of growing plant seedlings comprising:
implanting plant seeds in a mixture of cellulose filaments and an aqueous liquid, wherein the cellulose filaments are at a consistency of between about 4% and 50% in the mixture.
17 . The method of growing plant seedlings of claim 16 , further comprising treating the mixture to enhance the cation exchange capacity of the mixture, wherein the treating comprising enhancers, wherein the enhancers are selected from the group consisting of:
charged groups substituted onto the cellulose filaments;
peats;
clays;
nanoclays; and
combinations thereof.
18 . The method of growing plant seedlings of claim 17 , wherein the cellulose filaments have
an average aspect ratio from about 200 to about 5000;
an average width from about 30 nm to about 500 nm; and
an average length of about 200 μm to about 2 mm.