Claims:WE CLAIM
1. A seed germination bag comprising :
a. an outer casing;
b. a wicking layer provided inside the outer casing; and
c. a cover provided on the outer casing, the cover being openable or tearable on application of a force exerted by a plant shoot, thereby enabling plant growth without manual intervention.
2. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer casing comprises a biodegradable material.
3. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein the biodegradable material comprises a molded material, a formed material, a composted material, a shaped material, or combinations thereof.
4. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer casing is non-permeable.
5. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer casing houses at least one of a growing media layer, and a fertilizer layer.
6. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the growing media layer includes one or more of geotextile fabric, rockwool, lightweight expanded clay aggregate, hydrocorn, grow rock, coconut fiber, coconut chips, coco peat, perlite or vermiculite.
7. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fertilizer layer is placed on either side of the growing media layer.
8. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer casing houses a seed layer.
9. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a peelable cover, the peelable cover being placed on top of the cover.
10. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover includes one or more loosely attached flaps, the flaps being openable in nature on application of the force exerted by the plant shoot.
11. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover includes a material that can be easily torn by the application of the force by the plant shoot.
12. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover is made of a fabric or a biodegradable material.
13. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 12, wherein the fabric is sun-safe.
14. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seed germination bag is a disposable seed germination bag.
15. The seed germination bag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wicking layer is made of a wicking material.
16. A seed germination bag comprising :
a. a cover provided on an outer casing, the cover is openable or tearable on application of a force exerted by a plant shoot, thereby enabling plant growth witout manual intervention.
17. A hydroponic unit comprising:
a. one or more trays;
b. a secondary water reservoir coupled to each of the one or more trays; and
c. one or more seed germination bags placed on respective one or more trays, the one or more seed germination bags comprising
i. a wicking layer coupled to the secondary water reservoir; and
ii. a cover such that the cover is openable or tearable on application of force by a plant shoot, thereby enabling plant growth witout manual intervention.
18. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the wicking layer of the seed germination bag is made of a wicking material.
19. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the secondary water reservoir is coupled to a primary water reservoir by a feeding pipe.
20. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cover includes a material that can be easily torn by the application of the force by the plant shoot.
21. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cover includes one or more loosely attached flaps, the flaps being openable in nature on application of the force exerted by the plant shoot.
22. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cover is made of a fabric or a biodegradable material.
23. The hydroponic unit as claimed in claim 22, wherein the fabric is sun-safe.
Dated this 21th day of September, 2017
___
Shuchi Agarrwal
of SS Intellectual Property Neeti Consultancy LLP Agents for the Applicants
The Controller of Patents,
The Patent Office, Mumbai , Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(Section 10 and Rule 13)

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
SEED GERMINATION BAG

2. APPLICANTS:
Cresla Private Limited, an Indian company of the address 202 Sobo Center, South Bopal, Village - Bopal, Taluka – Daskroi, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380058

The following specification particularly describes the invention:

FIELD OF INVENTION
[001] This invention relates generally to a seed germination bag for growing plants and more particularly, a seed germination bag for growing plants in a hydroponic system.

BACKGROUND
[002] The process of growing plant/crop in an indoor hydroponic unit is lengthy and complex. To grow plants hydroponically, a hydroponic unit and a growing system compatible with the hydroponic unit is required. The hydroponic unit includes a light source, a water supply means, a holding means (eg. beds) and a planting surface. The holding means holds the growing system. Conventionally, a growing system setup comprises: a growing media, seeds and fertilizer/nutrients. Setting up a growing system includes laying growing media, laying of seeds in the growing media, covering the seeds, and providing means to provide fertilizer and water to the growing media.
[003] All these steps require technical expertise for selecting one or more of the growing media, correct amount of growing media, spacing of seeds, the amount of seeds required for maximum growth, covering of seeds in the seeding phase, right amount of fertilizer, etc. To reduce the complexity level in growing hydroponics, several growing systems with preset growing medium, seeds and fertilizers have been developed. However, in such growing systems, constant monitoring of water level and germination phase is a necessity.
[004] The water level monitoring in currently used hydroponic growing system is essential to prevent underfeeding or overfeeding of water. Further, in some growing systems, the germinated seeds have to be transplanted to a new growing system for complete harvesting. Therefore, constant monitoring of germination in such growing system is also crucial. The monitoring and identification of the seed germination stage is a tedious and difficult task for users either due to design of a growing system or lack of knowledge. Additionally, changing of a growing system poses a challenge for accurate growth/cultivation of a plant/crop. Moreover, once the plant/crop is cultivated, either the supportive mean of the hydroponic unit is required to be cleaned after every harvest or has to be replaced with a new one. Therefore, a growing system with the corresponding hydroponic unit is required to overcome one or more of underfeeding/overfeeding of water/nutrients/fertilizers, manual monitoring of the seed germination, transplanting the germinated seed into a new growing system and/or changing or replacing the supportive mean of hydroponic shortcoming of the current hydroponic systems.

SUMMARY
[005] The disclosed invention is a seed germination bag (growing system) for cultivating plants, seedlings, seeds, or the like in a hydroponic environment. The seed germination bag includes an outer casing, a wicking layer provided inside the outer casing; and a cover provided on the outer casing, the cover being openable or tearable on application of a force exerted by a plant shoot, thereby enabling plant growth without manual intervention.
[006] In an exemplary embodiment, the hydroponic environment includes a hydroponic unit having one or more trays, a secondary water reservoir coupled to each of the one or more trays, and one or more seed germination bags placed on respective one or more trays. Each of the one or more seed germination bags include a wicking layer coupled to the secondary water reservoir; and a cover such that the cover is openable or tearable on application of force by a plant shoot, thereby enabling plant growth witout manual intervention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[007] The summary above, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present disclosure, exemplary constructions of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to specific devices, methods and instrumentalities disclosed herein. Moreover, those in the art will understand that the drawings are not to scale. Wherever possible, like elements have been indicated by identical numbers.
[008] Fig 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a seed germination bag.
[009] Fig 1B illustrates an embodiment of the seed germination bag.
[0010] Fig 1C illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the seed germination bag with flaps in closed configuration.
[0011] Fig 1D illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the seed germination bag with flaps in open configuration.
[0012] Figs 2A -2D illustrate various aspects of an exemplary hydroponic unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] Prior to describing the invention in detail, definitions of certain words or phrases used throughout this patent document will be defined: the terms "include" and "comprise", as well as derivatives, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or" is inclusive, meaning and/or; Definitions of certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, and those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that such definitions apply in many, if not most, instances to prior as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.
[0014] Wherever possible, same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts. Moreover, references to various elements described herein are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the disclosure to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims.
[0015] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[0016] In the present disclosure, a seed germination bag refers to an assembly or system that includes a combination of two or more of an outer casing, a plant growing/rooting media, a wicking layer, seed(s)/seedling(s) of plant(s), fertilizer or nutrients housed within the outer casing, a cover and a peelable cover. The seed germination bag is a self-sustained plant growing system.
[0017] FIGs 1A to 1C depict several embodiments of a seed germination bag. Though the following description provides details of the layers/components in the context of seed germination bag, the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to a non-seed germination bag containing such layers/components.
[0018] “Outer casing” refers to a hollow casing of the seed germination bag with one or more openings that facilitate insertion of the plant growing media/ other materials like rooting media. The openings may be sealed thereafter.
[0019] “Growing system” refers to an arrangement of plant growing components, including growing media, water, fertilizer in which one or more seeds are placed and allowed to germinate into a plant and is housed within the outer casing.
[0020] “Flap” refers to a lid or an attachment provided with a cover of the seed germination bag of which a certain portion maybe attached to the cover temporarily.
[0021] “Hydroponic unit” and the like refer to an apparatus designed to be used indoors to germinate and/or grow plants. The unit is modular, self-contained, and houses or provides necessary growing conditions for plants (e.g., light, water, fertilizer, growing unit, etc.), such as through the use of a plant growing system as defined above.
[0022] “Tray” refers to a supporting means provided in the hydroponic unit to hold the seed germination bag.
[0023] “External environment” is the environment in which the seed germination bag is used to cultivate the crop. It includes both types of crop cultivation; indoor crop cultivation (hydroponic, aquaponics) as well as outdoor farming in a field.
[0024] FIGs. 1A-1C depict a seed germination bag 100 according to exemplary embodiments. In an embodiment (FIG 1A), the seed germination bag 100 may have an outer casing 110, and a cover 160. The seed germination bag 100 may have a circumference optimized according to, for example, the amount of growing media provided in the seed germination bag 100, the types of seeds planted, or the types of plants that germinate from the seed germination bag 100.
[0025] The outer casing 110 of the seed germination bag 100 forms the housing of the seed germination bag 100. The outer casing 110 may be made up of biodegradable material. In some of the embodiments, the outer casing 110 may be composed of a formed, molded, composted material and/or shapeable material or a combination thereof for example, composted and molded or formed coco peat moss. In an alternate embodiment, the outer casing 110 may be made of plastic or paper derivatives. In another embodiment, the outer casing 110 is made of formed or molded manure. The manure can be derived from any animal source, for example the manure may be derived from a cow, bull, or horse. In another embodiment, the outer casing 110 is made of a material derived from poultry feathers. In some embodiments, outer casing 110 is made of a fabric obtained from organic, inorganic and/or natural sources. The outer casing 110 may include one or more layers of any of the foregoing materials.
[0026] In some embodiments, the outer casing 110 may be a cup-shaped bag with a single opening. The base of the outer casing 110 holds the content of plant growing system. The opening of the outer casing 110 may be covered with at least one layer of cover 160. The outer casing 110 along with the cover 160 provides a sun-safe housing for the plant growing system (plant growing medium, seed/ seedlings, and fertilizer and/or nutrient). The housing of the seed germination bag 100 thus creates a microenvironment with negligible sunlight exposure and sufficient nutrient supply to facilitate successful germination and cultivation of the plant/crop.
[0027] The outer casing 110 is designed to be placed onto a planting surface, such as, but not limited to, dirt, soil, container, raised bed, clay, rocks, gravel, sand, or a tray specifically adapted to receive the seed germination bag 100. The outer casing 110 may have several shapes, for example, it may have, but not limited to a rectangular, conical, circular, triangular etc. body shapes which are optimized as per the planting surface. The specific shape of the outer casing 110 can be optimized for smooth penetration into a planting surface and in providing sufficient germination area to seeds/seedlings. To hold and protect the plant growing system/young seeds/seedlings, the outer casing 110 may be sufficiently rigid. Additionally, the outer casing 110 may be non-permeable in nature to retain water within and prevent permeation of water from the housing of the seed germination bag 100 to the external environment.
[0028] The overall thickness of the outer casing 110 may play an important role in the germination of seeds in the seed germination bag 100. This thickness of outer casing 110 may be fixed or variable throughout the length and circumference and may depend upon the application.
[0029] The cover 160 of the seed germination bag 100 may be made of a biodegradable material and is configured to fit in the opening of the outer casing 110. The cover 160 is designed of such a material that the force exerted by a shoot would be sufficient to tear it. Such materials include without limitation formed, moldable, composted, and/or shapeable materials. Optionally, to prevent excess sunlight/light penetration during the seed germination phase, the material used for making the cover may be sunsafe. In an exemplary embodiment, the cover 160 may be placed as a flap or alternately as a layer on the opening of the outer casing 110. The shape of the cover 160 may be complimentary to the shape of the outer casing 110.
[0030] In an embodiment, the cover 160 may contain one or more loosely attached flaps 165. The one or more loosely attached flaps (depicted in FIG 1C) are cut-out from the cover 160 and their detachable end is temporarily attached to the cover 160 till a plant from underneath pushes/lifts the flaps upwards. Alternately, on germination of a seed, a shoot growth may tear the temporary connection of the flaps. The thickness of the cover may be uniform or variable throughout its length. The detachable end of the flaps may be placed/stitched/glued/joined to the cover 160 with temporary adhesion properties.
[0031] In an alternate embodiment, the cover 160 may be provided as a layer. The cover 160 may be formed of the same material as that of the outer casing 110. Further, the cover 160 may be placed/mounted/glued/joined to the opening of the outer casing 110.
[0032] In the present embodiment, all the components of the plant growing system including seeds/seedlings, water, growing media and fertilizers/nutrients may be supplied inside the seed germination bag from the opening of the outer casing 110. The supply of the plant growing system may be performed before the sealing of outer casing 110 with the cover 160.
[0033] FIG 1B depicts an embodiment of the seed germination bag 100 that is self-sustainable and may be used as a ‘grow and throw’ bag after harvesting of a crop. The embodiment of the seed germination bag 100 may have an outer casing 110, a wicking layer 120, a fertilizer layer 130, at least one growing media layer 140, a seed/seedling layer 150, a cover 160 and a peelable cover 170. The seed germination bag 100 of the present disclosure can be utilized to grow plants/crops via hydroponic/aquaponics as well as for outdoor farming. It should be noted that though the seed germination bag is depicted to contain the aforesaid layers, it is possible to increase or decrease the number and/or sequence of placement of the layers.
[0034] Details of the outer casing 110 have not been repeated for brevity and can be referred from the description of FIG 1A.
[0035] The wicking layer 120 may be positioned on the base of the outer casing 110. Alternately, the position of the wicking layer 120 inside the outer casing 110 may vary as per the water feeding requirement of the seed germination bag 100. The wicking layer 120 may be made of a wicking material capable of capillary action for water transportation, for example, cotton, synthetic material etc. A portion of the wicking layer 120 may be arranged in a configuration to connect with a secondary water reservoir 260 (FIG 2A) present in a hydroponic unit 200 (FIG 2A). The thickness of the wicking layer 120 may vary as per the desired requirement. In an alternate embodiment, the wicking layer 120 may not be provided in the seed germination bag 100 and water may be supplied directly to the seed germination bag 100 from the opening of the outer casing 110.
[0036] The fertilizer layer 130 may be positioned above the wicking layer 120 for optimized mixing of fertilizer. In another embodiment, the fertilizer layer 130 housed in the seed germination bag 100 may be positioned at the base of the outer casing 110 or in a suitable position to optimize the supply of nutrients to the growing system. In yet another embodiment, the fertilizer layer 130 may be embedded within the outer casing 110.
[0037] The fertilizer layer 130 may be made up of one or more types of fertilizers that apply to a growing media or a plant tissue to supply one or more nutrients for plant growth. The type of fertilizer broadly includes without limitation nitrogen, phosphate, potassium, compound, organic or other elements (calcium, magnesium, and sulfur) class fertilizers or combination thereof. The source of the fertilizers may include natural or organic. The fertilizers may include fertilizers with a coating or controlled released fertilizers. In another embodiment, the fertilizer layer 130 may additionally include secondary nutrients (e.g., sulfur, calcium, or magnesium) and/or micronutrients, which are conventional and generally known and understood by in the art. The amount/thickness of fertilizer layer 130 may depends upon requirement or application.
[0038] The at least one growing media layer 140 may be incorporated and housed within the outer casing 110 and positioned above the fertilizer layer 130. The positioning of the growing media layer 140 may vary within the housing of the seed germination bag 100 or in some embodiments may be incorporated within the outer casing 110. The growing media layer 140 is the rooting media that provide a substrate in which seeds grow. The growing media layer 140 may be made of a variety of materials. These might include, for example, geotextile fabric, coir (compressed, non-compressed, screened, coir dust, and/or coir pith), peat, peat moss (for example, sphagnum peat moss), peat humus, vermiculite, compost perlite, bark, bark fines, composted bark fines, wood shavings, saw dust, mulch, a modified cornstarch, corn stover, sunflower stem, composted rice hulls, reed sedge peat, composted manure, composted forest products, coffee grounds, composted paper fiber, digested manure fiber, composted tea leaves, bagasse, yard waste compost, cotton derivatives, wood ash, bark ash, vegetative by-products, agricultural by-products, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the growing media layer 140 may include fertilizers or fertilizing agents. The amount/thickness of growing media layer 140 may depends upon desired application.
[0039] In an alternate embodiment, the one or more growing media layer 140 may be made up of geotextile fabric and may perform the function of wicking layer 120 by transporting water from secondary water reservoir 260 to the housing of seed germination bag 100.
[0040] The seed layer 150 may be positioned within the growing media layer 140. In an exemplary embodiment, the seed layer 150 may be placed between more than one layer of growing media layers 140a and 140b. The seed layer 150 may contain a wide variety of plants. The variety of seeds may include, but not limited to flowers, vegetable, fruits, herbs, grass, trees, or perennial plant parts (e.g., bulbs, tubers, roots, crowns, stems, etc.). The exemplary seeds may include globe tomato, cherry tomato, roma tomato, cantaloupe, honey dew, jalapeno pepper, sweet pepper, straight cucumber, zucchini, yellow zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, cilantro, dill, thyme, bush bean, looseleaf lettuce, butterhead lettuce, romaine lettuce, smooth leaf spinach, snap pea, oregano, thyme, mint, radish, eggplant, broccoli, collards, cabbage, leek, zinnia, sunflower, marigold, carrot, corn, beet, parsnip, turnip, swiss chard, fennel, marjoram, or combinations thereof. In exemplary embodiments, each seed germination bag 100 includes at least one type of seed/ seedlings.
[0041] In another embodiment, the seeds used to form the seed layer 150 may be coated with various agricultural agents that may help preserve the longevity of the seed. These coatings may help prevent dehydration of the seeds and/or provide protection from various other adverse effects. These coatings may include, for example, fungicides, insecticides, biocides, coatings to promote water absorption and retention, or any other agricultural agent that is generally known in the art. In an embodiment, the agricultural agents may be organic or naturally derived agents that are environmentally safe and help attain organic product classification. In one embodiment, the seed may be coated with a fertilizer or a fertilizing agent. In another embodiment, the seed may be coated with agents (e.g., limestone, talc, clay, cellulose or starch) that help to pellet the seed, which results in a more uniform seed product. The amount/ space between the seeds in the seed layer 150 may depend upon the variety of the plant need to be grown.
[0042] Details of the cover 160 have not been repeated for brevity and can be referred from FIG 1A.
[0043] The peelable cover 170 is placed over the cover 160 and protects the cover 160 and content housed in the seed germination bag 100 during transportation. The peelable cover 170 keeps all layers of seed germination bag 100 intact and prevents excess sunlight penetration/fungal/bacterial/algal contamination during the transportation of the seed germination bag 100. The peelable cover 170 may be made of a biodegradable material and is configured to fit into the outer casing 110. The peelable cover 170 may be made up of one or more than one layers of biodegradable material like formed, moldable, composted, and/or shape able materials. The shape of the peelable cover 170 may be complimentary to the shape of the outer casing 110. The peelable cover 170 may be removable or attached to the outer casing 110 as a flange or a lid. In an embodiment, to use the seed germination bag 100, the peelable cover 170 is to be removed from it. The thickness of the peelable cover 170 may depends upon desired application.
[0044] FIG 1C depicts a top view of the seed germination bag 100. The cover 160 includes multiple flaps 165 all of which are depicted in closed configuration.
[0045] FIG 1D depicts an alternate top view of the seed germination bag 100. The cover 160 includes multiple flaps 165 with some of the flaps 165 in open configuration. As can be seen from the embodiment depicted in the diagram, because the flaps are cut-out from the cover, when a seed grows into a shoot, the force exerted by the shoot is sufficient to open the flaps from the cover 160 thereby eliminating the need to manually watch for spouting and growth of seeds. In alternate embodiment, the cover 160 may not contain flaps 165 but made of material that may be torn by the pressure exerted by the shoots as they grow, thereby eliminating the need to manually watch for spouting and growth of seeds.
[0046] It is to be noted that a seed germination bag 100 may contain a single flaps rather than multiple flaps and numerous such bags 100 may be placed onto a tray 270 or other planting surface/supporting means. These multiple seed germination bags 100 may have same or different types of seeds/seedlings.
[0047] FIGs. 2A-2D depict an exemplary embodiment of a hydroponic unit 200 used to cultivate plants/crop using one or more seed germination bags 100. The hydroponic unit 200 may be an indoor, modular, self-contained and portable unit. In an alternate embodiment, the seeds germinate in the hydroponic unit 200 using a seed germination bag 100 and later on are transplanted in outdoor fields for complete cultivation. In an exemplary embodiment, the hydroponic unit 200 may comprise a base 210, a plurality of channels 220, a primary water reservoir 230, a water pump 235, a feeding pipe 244, a return pipe 246, a secondary water reservoir 260, at least one tray 270, at least one door 280, a display screen 285, a control panel 295, a light source (not shown) and a plurality of exhaust fans 298.
[0048] In an embodiment, the plurality of channels 220 may be hollow from inside to allow passage of water. The plurality of channels 220 may be placed horizontally in slanting orientation (i.e. inclined to one side) so as to divide the entire housing of the hydroponic unit 200 vertically into separate chambers (FIG 2A). The first chamber may be formed by placing one of the plurality of channels 220 above the base 210 and may house the primary water reservoir 230, water pump 235 and an electric panel (FIG 2A and 2C). Subsequently, a number of chambers may be formed by placing another one of the plurality of channels 220 over the previously formed chamber.
[0049] In an embodiment, the primary water reservoir 230 may be used to store water inside the sterilized environment of the hydroponic unit 200. The water pump 235 may be connected to the primary water reservoir 230 to supply water to one or more seed germination bags 100 placed on the channels 220 via feeding pipe 244.
[0050] In an embodiment, the feeding pipe 244 may be connected to a primary water reservoir 230 at one end and runs vertically alongside an inner wall of the hydroponic unit 200 (FIG 2B). The feeding pipe 244 may have a plurality of openings to supply water to the plurality of the channel 220. The feeding pipe 244 is connected to the upper end of the slanting channel 220 through its opening. The water flows within the slanting channel 220 from its upper end to the lower end and is collected in the secondary water reservoir 260. The return pipe 246 collects water from the secondary water reservoir 260 and returns it to the primary reservoir 230. The return pipe 246 may run vertically alongside an inner wall of hydroponic unit 200 and may present on the opposite side of the feeding pipe 244.
[0051] A number of trays 270 may be placed in each chamber and at least one seed germination bag 100 may be housed in each tray 270 to cultivate plants/crops hydroponically (FIG 2B). The hydroponic environment in the hydroponic unit 200 may be generated by supplying water from the secondary water reservoir 260 to the seed germination bag 100 by dipping the wicking layer 120 of the seed germination bag 100 into the secondary water reservoir 260 (FIG 2D).
[0052] In an alternate embodiment, the wicking layer 120 of seed germination bag 100 may be directly dipped into the slanting channel 250 near to the boundary of the respective trays 270.
[0053] An LED light may be used as the light source (not shown). The moisture/humidity can be controlled by the plurality of exhaust fans 298. All the parameters of the hydroponic environment can be controlled by the control panel 295 and may be monitored by the display screen 285 present on the door 280 of the hydroponic unit 200 (FIG 2A).
[0054] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure.