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 horticultural hydrogel comprising:
carrageenan;
at least one organic material selected from the group consisting of peat, coir, silica, wood, shell, sterilized hair or fur, wool, silk, bone, antler fragments, and feather; and
water.
2 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel further comprises carbon and is not opaque.
3 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , further comprising microcrystalline cellulose, fertilizer, acid, or a combination thereof.
4 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is suitable for cultivation of kale, spinach, butter lettuce, or bok choy.
5 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel plug is suitable for cultivation of pepper, herb, berry, basil, thyme, or sage.
6 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , further comprising fertilizer, microcrystalline cellulose, acid, or a combination thereof.
7 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , wherein the horticultural hydrogel includes:
hardness of more than 150 g/cm 2 ;
electrical conductivity of 2.3 to 8.5; and
a pH between 5.2 and 8.5.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the carrageenan is kappa-carrageenan or iota-carrageenan, or a combination thereof.
9 . The horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 , wherein the carrageenan is present in an amount of from about 0.8% to about 1.7%.
10 . A method of preparing a horticultural hydrogel plug, comprising:
mixing at least one organic material with carrageenan in an amount ranging from about 0.8% to about 1.7% by weight to form a mixture;
adding water to the mixture to activate binding properties of the carrageenan;
allowing the mixture to set thereby forming a cohesive and stabilized horticultural hydrogel plug with enhanced water retention and structural integrity.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of dehydrating the horticultural hydrogel plug to a water content of 60% or less.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of rehydrating the horticultural hydrogel plug.
13 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding 0.01% to 0.1% microcrystalline cellulose to the mixture.
14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding 0.1% to 0.2% fertilizer to the mixture.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding 0.005% to 0.015% acid to the mixture.
16 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of adding carbon to the mixture.
17 . A plant cultivation system comprising:
a container;
the horticultural hydrogel of claim 1 ; and
optionally, at least one plant,
wherein the horticultural hydrogel provides for the cultivation and propagation of the at least one plant.