Method and apparatus for aeroponic farming

Abstract

A system and method of aeroponic farming includes depositing seeds in a flat containing micro-fleece cloth and placing the flat within a growth chamber. The upper side of the flat is subjected to light of the proper frequencies to promote growth in plants. A nutrient solution is sprayed onto the micro-fleece cloth and the developing root mass of the plants, while controlling temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide within the growth chamber. The plants are harvested resulting from the seeds at a desired stage of growth. The growth chambers can be stacked on each other and / or located side by side to save space within a facility, and to permit sharing the subsystems which control the nutrient solution, temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide for the growth chambers.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0002] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 608,687 filed on Sep. 10, 2004 and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AEROPONIC FARMING, incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates generally to the field of aeroponics, and more particularly to an apparatus which enhances the efficiency of aeroponic farming. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Aeroponic growing is distinct from other hydroponic or soil-less plant culture which include ebb and flow, pond, and aggregate growing methods. In the ebb and flow method, the roots are periodically submersed in liquid nutrients; in the pond culture method, the roots are suspended in a solution of liquid nutrients, which solution is generally oxygenated; and in the aggregate growing method, the liquid nutrients are supplied to plants in a non-soil containing aggregate. Because plants require oxygen to their roots, hydropo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, a cloth flat for seed germination includes a plurality of strips of micro-fleece cloth sewn together to form a plurality of transverse furrows that remain closed when tension is applied orthogonal to the furrows, whereby when un-germinated seeds are positioned within the furrows, the closed furrows protect the un-germinated seeds from direct light.

Problems solved by technology

Plants fully immersed in water grow less well due to lack of oxygen for their roots.

Visits to several facilities identified the drawbacks of NFT and pond systems, such as the large amounts of water required, the need for sophisticated light control and cooling systems, insect problems, and labor for transplanting the individual plants.

However, modifications need to be made to existing systems for cost efficient commercialization.

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