Cellular moist film plant culture system

A moist film plant culture system for growing plants comprising:

• impermeable envelope having top and side wall means confining an air space in which roots of plants can grow, said envelope means having a seam along at least one edge thereof,
• support means for supporting the root ball of a plant within said air space,
• a first water absorbent matting material of high capillarity fastened within the envelope and a second water absorbent matting material of high capillarity surrounding the root ball, the surrounded root ball and expanding root system and the growing plant structure being supported on said first matting material within said air space,
• said envelope being two ply with one ply including a flexible moisture impermeable outer sheet and a second ply including said first matting material, said envelope further including a plurality of stiff cross ribs to maintain the walls and top means of the envelope in an elevated position to maintain said interior air space when the seam is closed, said flexible envelope being collapsible for shipping the culture system,
• a dry chemical nutrient packet, said packet being formed by a third water absorbent matting material enclosing a dry chemical nutrient, said nutrient pack being in contact with said first water absorbent material and spaced from the root ball, a nutrient transfer means for transferring nutrient from said packet to said plant structure, said transfer means including said matting materials, whereby when said water absorbent materials are wet, dissolved chemicals are leached from said nutrient packet and will migrate from the chemical packet to the root ball and to all root bearing surfaces,
• means for closing the seam of said envelope around the individual stems of a plurality of plants whereby the root balls and growing roots of said plants are surrounded by a confined pocket of highly humid air within said envelope and in contact with said water absorbent material and the leaves and stems of said plant protrude beyond said seams, and,
• a water reservoir spaced from said root ball and from said chemical packet and located to maintain water in contact with said first matting material and out of free water contact with the dry chemical packet.