Growing medium structures based on Sphagnum moss and method for the manufacture thereof

A method for the manufacture of a growing medium structure comprising Sphagnum moss that is a living biomaterial, wherein the method is a foam-laid method, which comprises the steps of:

• preparing at least one foamed dispersion by dispersing moss particles comprising Sphagnum moss that is a living biomaterial in a mixture comprising water and at least one foaming agent, wherein the foamed dispersion or dispersions comprises 0.5-10 wt % of said Sphagnum moss particles,
• decanting said foamed dispersion into a sheet mold to form a foamed dispersion or dispersions, conveying the foamed dispersion or dispersions to a wire foraminous support, and draining liquid through the foraminous support to form a web, and
• drying the web at 15-40° C. to form said growing medium structure comprising Sphagnum moss, that is a living biomaterial, and
• wherein after drying the growing medium structure comprises:
• 45-99.9 wt % of moss particles comprising Sphagnum moss;
• and
• 001-5% by weight of at least one foaming agent, wherein
• the growing medium structure has an ability to retain water in amount of 20-45 vol-% and density of 10-250 kg/m3 and a thickness of 10-300 mm.