Molds for the growing of seedlings

A mold for growing a seedling, the mold comprising:

• a dry mass consisting of ground turf mixture;
• synthetic material comprising an open-cell foam material comprising hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer in an amount of about 6 to 8% by weight relative to the dry mass;
• and
• water sufficient to facilitate reaction of the synthetic material in the mixture with the dry mass and water;
• said synthetic material, when mixed with said dry mass and water, permitting said mold to be self-supporting and to retain a predetermined shape including a recess therein adapted to retain a seedling without being maintained by an encompassing container, said mold being prepared by an automated continuous method comprising the steps of:
• sequentially arranging a mold tool in each of a plurality of workstations in a rotary table, each mold tool being shaped and configured to make one said mold therein;
• introducing a ground turf mixture dry mass into each mold tool in turn;
• introducing water into the dry mass in each mold tool;
• introducing a synthetic material comprising hydrophilic polyurethane prepolymer into the dry mass and water mixture in a ratio of about 6 to 8% by weight relative to the dry mass;
• mixing the dry mass, water and synthetic material together;
• curing the mixture in each mold tool having a projecting pin for forming a recess in the mold;
• drying the mixture in each mold tool to remove excess water;
• and
• ejecting the cured mold from each mold tool in turn.