Automated growing systems

Abstract

An automated growing system comprises a plurality of vegetative production lines for moving a plurality of planted growing channels from a first end to a second end of a growing area, a plurality of flowering production lines for moving the channels from the second end to the first end, and a first conveyor belt for moving planted growing channels from the plurality of vegetative production lines to the plurality of flowering production lines. Each production line may comprise a frame, a conveyor assembly configured to receive growing channels, a fertigation delivery line comprising a plurality of regulators spaced therealong for depositing fluid into the growing channels, a drainage trough, and an air supply duct positioned under the conveyor assembly, the air supply duct comprising a plurality of openings therein for delivering conditioned air to plants growing in the growing channels. Each growing channel may comprise a trough having a first end higher than a second end, a flange extending laterally from each of a pair of opposed lateral edges of the trough and having a plurality of leach lines on an upper surface thereof extending a different predetermined distance from the first end toward the second end, and a fertigation receiving structure attached to the first end of the trough and configured to direct fluid falling therein into the leach lines of each flange.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.