# US 7,607,258 B2 · Method and environment for growing plants > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,258 B2 - Document ID: US7607258B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/524,713 - Filed: 2003-08-15 - Published: 2006-06-08 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2002-08-15 - Assignees: Rockwool International A/S - Inventors: Niels Holmenlund - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607258B2 ## CPC - A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00) - A01G 27/04: using wicks or the like - Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures - A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract The invention provides a method of growing at least one plant (1), preferably a large number of plants, in which a plant is positioned for growth in a first growth substrate (2) which has a first water uptake capacity and a first sinking time S1, and the first growth substrate (2) is in fluid communication with a discrete second substrate (4) is mineral wool of density 40 to 100 kg/m2 and which has a second water uptake capacity which is less than the first water uptake capacity and a second sinking time S2 and the value of S1 is greater than the value of S2, and during growth the second substrate is flooded with water at intervals. Preferably growth is under conditions of drought stress and/or nutrient stress. The invention also provides a plant growth environment such as a filled pot (3) comprising the first and second substrates in fluid 20 communication. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of growing at least one plant, the method comprising positioning the at least one plant for growth in a first growth substrate which has a first water uptake capacity and a first sinking time with the first growth substrate in fluid communication with a discrete second substrate; wherein the second substrate is mineral wool having a density of 40 to 100 kg/m3, a second water uptake capacity which is less than the first water uptake capacity and a second sinking time; wherein the value of the first sinking time is greater than the value of the second sinking time, and flooding the second substrate with water during intervals; wherein the plant is grown under conditions of drought stress. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 in which the mineral wool has density in the range 50 to 80 kg/m3. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2 in which the mineral wool has density in the range 55 to 65 kg/m3. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 in which fibres of the mineral wool have median thickness of 2 to 10 microns. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4 in which fibres of the mineral wool have medium thickness of 3 to 8 microns. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 in which fibres of the mineral wool fibres have a substantially horizontal orientation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 in which the mineral wool is bonded with a hydrophilic binder. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 in which the first growth substrate comprises peat, coir, soil and compost. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 in which the first growth substrate comprises peat. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein at least 10 plants are grown, each in a pot having a base having apertures and the second substrate is a layer of mineral wool which is contained in the pot and forms a barrier between the first growth substrate and the apertures. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 wherein at least 10 plants are grown, each grown in a pot containing the first growth substrate in fluid communication with the mineral wool and in which the same volume of water is taken up by the mineral wool in each pot and the layer of mineral wool in each pot of the same size has the same area and volume. ### Claim 12 A plant growth environment comprising a first growth substrate which has a first water uptake capacity and a first sinking time, with the first growth substrate being in fluid communication with a discrete second substrate, wherein the second substrate is mineral wool having a density of 40 to 100 kg/m3, a second water uptake capacity which is less than the first water uptake capacity, and a second sinking time; wherein the the first sinking time is greater than the second sinking time. ### Claim 13 A method of growing at least 10 plants, the method comprising positioning each plant for growth in a first growth substrate which has a first water uptake capacity and a first sinking time with the first growth substrate in fluid communication with a discrete second substrate; wherein the second substrate is mineral wool having a density of 50 to 80 kg/m3, a second water uptake capacity which is less than the first water uptake capacity and a second sinking time; wherein the value of the first sinking time is greater than the value of the second sinking time, and flooding the second substrate with water during intervals; such that the plants are grown under conditions of drought stress. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 in which the first growth substrate is peat. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 in which each plant is in a pot having a base having apertures and the second substrate is a layer of mineral wool which is contained in the pot and forms a barrier between the first growth substrate and the apertures. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13 in which each plant is grown in a pot containing the first growth substrate in fluid communication with the mineral wool and in which the same volume of water is taken up by the mineral wool in each pot and the layer of mineral wool in each pot of the same size has the same area and volume.