Horticultural hydrogels
The present disclosure relates to horticultural hydrogels for growing plants and/or fungi, and more particularly to hydrogel-based substrates for the germination, growth, and/or sporulation of those plants and/or fungi.
1. A method of preparing a horticultural hydrogel plug comprising the steps of:
mixing carrageenan, fertilizer, and, optionally, carbon and microcrystalline cellulose to form a mixture;
heating the mixture to at least 85° C. while mixing to form a homogeneous mixture;
cooling the homogeneous mixture to less than 70° C.; and
pouring the homogeneous mixture into a gel plug mold to form a horticultural hydrogel plug,
wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug includes:
0.8% to 1.7% carrageenan;
96% to 99% water;
0.1% to 0.2% fertilizer;
optionally, 0.01% to 0.1% microcrystalline cellulose; and
optionally, 0.005% to 0.015% acid
wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug includes:
hardness of more than 150 g/cm 2 ;
electrical conductivity of 2.3 to 8.5 mS/cm; and
a pH between 5.2 and 8.5.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting the pH with citric acid or phosphoric acid.
3. A horticultural hydrogel plug prepared according to a method of comprising the steps of:
mixing carrageenan, fertilizer, and, optionally, carbon and microcrystalline cellulose to form a mixture;
heating the mixture to at least 85° C. while mixing to form a homogeneous mixture;
cooling the homogeneous mixture to less than 70° C.; and
pouring the homogeneous mixture into a gel plug mold to form a horticultural hydrogel plug,
wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug includes:
0.8% to 1.7% carrageenan;
96% to 99% water;
0.1% to 0.2% fertilizer;
optionally, 0.01% to 0.1% microcrystalline cellulose; and
optionally, 0.005% to 0.015% acid
wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug includes:
hardness of more than 150 g/cm 2 ;
electrical conductivity of 2.3 to 8.5 mS/cm; and
a pH between 5.2 and 8.5.
4. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is suitable for cultivation of kale, spinach, lettuce, or bok choy.
5. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is suitable for cultivation of a pepper, herb, berry, basil, thyme, or sage.
6. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug includes 97% to 99% water.
7. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein water content of the horticultural hydrogel plug remains unchanged after 90 days in ambient conditions.
8. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is freeze dried and reconstituted to have a water content of 97% to 99%.
9. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is frozen to below 32° F. and thawed to at least 65° F. at least one time.
10. The horticultural hydrogel plug of claim 3 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug may lose water content such that a new water content is 60% and may be rehydrated to a water content of 97% to 99%.