Apparatus and method for propagating plants

A method of propagating plants, comprising:

• (a) providing a transparent film;
• (b) sealing said transparent film to form a three-dimensional enclosure capable of maintaining an inner positive gas pressure, said enclosure having at least two walls, said enclosure having an inner space positioned between said walls, said enclosure further having an outer surface, said enclosure further having a substantially watertight lower portion, said enclosure further having a membrane vent upon said outer surface;
• (c) providing living plant material having a root system and leaves within the inner space of said enclosure;
• (d) providing a reservoir of liquid nutrient solution within said substantially watertight lower portion of said inner space of said enclosure;
• (e) positioning said root system of said living plant material for contact with said reservoir of liquid nutrient solution, thereby facilitating nutrient uptake by said root system;
• and
• (f) diffusing gas through said membrane vent.

A method of growing plants, comprising:

• (a) providing a film enclosure, said film enclosure having at least two walls, said enclosure having an inner space positioned between said walls, said enclosure further having an outer surface, said enclosure providing a substantially water impermeable lower portion and a membrane vent positioned upon said outer surface, said enclosure being capable of maintaining a gas positive pressure within its inner space;
• (b) providing living plant material having a root system and leaves within said inner space of said enclosure;
• (c) providing a reservoir of liquid nutrient solution within said substantially watertight lower portion of said inner space of said enclosure;
• (d) positioning said root system of said living plant material for contact with said reservoir of liquid nutrient solution, thereby facilitating nutrient uptake by said root system;
• and
• (e) providing a support tray having a lower surface adapted for transporting a fluid;
• said enclosure being positioned within said support tray;
• and
• (f) delivering a cooling fluid along said lower surface of said support tray, said cooling fluid contacting said outer surface of said enclosure, thereby removing heat from said inner space of said enclosure.

A method of propagating plant material in an aseptic environment, comprising:

• (a) providing living plant material having a root system into a sealed light permeable film enclosure, said enclosure further having an outer surface and an inner space, said enclosure being configured to accommodate within said inner space living plant material and a nutrient solution, said inner space further comprising a lower portion and an upper portion and said enclosure capable of maintaining a positive gas pressure within the inner space;
• (b) providing a reservoir of liquid nutrient solution within said lower portion of said inner space of said enclosure;
• (c) providing a gas within said upper portion of said inner space of said enclosure, said gas including oxygen and carbon dioxide;
• (d) positioning said root system of said living plant material for direct contact with said reservoir of liquid nutrient solution, thereby facilitating nutrient uptake by said root system;
• and
• (e) placing said enclosure in an environment containing light, wherein said light is capable of penetrating said enclosure to facilitate growth of said living plant material within said enclosure.