Plant growing system

Abstract

Systems and associated apparatus and methods are described for growing plants in a dense and efficient manner in an indoor environment using artificial light. The systems are configured to hold a high density of plants at a relatively close, substantially fixed distance from a light fixture that provides artificial light for growth of the plants. As the plants grow, the plants are transferred to one or more following stations or stages, each of which is configured to hold the now larger plants at the same relatively close, substantially fixed distance from a light fixture. By providing multiple stages to accommodate plant growth, and maintaining the close positioning of the plants to the light fixtures, the impact of the artificial light on the growth of the plants is maximized and the efficiency of the electrical energy use is increased.

1 . A plant growing system, comprising:
 first and second plant growing stations that are arranged next to one another;   the first and second plant growing stations each include a light fixture and a plant support structure that is configured to hold a plurality of plants thereon with the plants facing the light fixture, the light fixture and the plant support structure are mounted to permit relative movement therebetween;   the plant support structure of each of the first and second plant growing stations includes a first surface that in use faces toward its associated light fixture;   in the first plant growing station, there is a first substantially constant distance between the light fixture thereof and the first surface of the plant support structure thereof;   in the second plant growing station, there is a second substantially constant distance between the light fixture thereof and the first surface of the plant support structure thereof;   the first distance is less than the second distance; and   the first and second plant growing stations are vertical plant growing stations, and the plant support structure of each plant growing station comprises at least one vertical panel, and the vertical panel is movable in a linear direction relative to the light fixture.   
     
     
         2 . The plant growing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third plant growing station, wherein the first plant growing station is followed by the second plant growing station, and the second plant growing station is followed by the third plant growing station;
 the third plant growing station includes a light fixture and a plant support structure comprising at least one vertical panel that is configured to hold a plurality of plants with the plants facing the light fixture thereof, the light fixture of the third plant growing station and the plant support structure of the third plant growing station are mounted to permit relative movement therebetween;   the at least one vertical panel of the third plant growing station includes a first surface that in use faces toward the light fixture thereof;   in the third plant growing station, there is a third distance between the light fixture thereof and the first surface of the plant support structure thereof; and   the third distance is greater than the second distance.   
     
     
         3 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The plant growing system of  claim 1 , wherein each vertical panel is formed with a plurality of holes in which root balls of the plants can be held. 
     
     
         10 . The plant growing system of  claim 9 , wherein each vertical panel is a double sided panel having a plurality of holes formed on each side of the panel in which root balls of the plants can be held. 
     
     
         11 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A plant growing system, comprising:
 first and second plant growing stations that are arranged next to one another;   the first and second plant growing stations each include a light fixture and a plant support structure that is configured to hold a plurality of plants thereon with the plants facing the light fixture, the light fixture and the plant support structure are mounted to permit relative movement therebetween;   a plurality of plants mounted on the plant support structure of each of the first and second plant growing stations;   in the first plant growing station, a first substantially constant distance between the light fixture thereof and the plants mounted on the plant support structure thereof;   in the second plant growing station, a second substantially constant distance between the light fixture thereof and the plants mounted on the plant support structure thereof; and   the first substantially constant distance is equal to the second substantially constant distance; and   the first and second plant growing stations are vertical plant growing stations, and the plant support structure of each plant growing station comprises at least one vertical panel, and the vertical panel is movable in a linear direction relative to the light fixture.   
     
     
         14 . The plant growing system of  claim 13 , wherein each vertical panel includes a first surface facing the light fixture of the respective plant growing station, a second surface opposite the first surface and that is exposed to air, and a plurality of holes formed through the panel from the first surface to the second surface, wherein in use, root balls of the plants are held in the holes with the plants facing the light fixture and the root balls of the plants exposed to air. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A plant growing station useable in a plant growing system, comprising:
 a light fixture and a plant support structure that is configured to hold a plurality of plants thereon with the plants facing the light fixture, the light fixture and the plant support structure are mounted to permit relative movement therebetween;   the plant support structure includes a first surface that in use faces toward the light fixture with a substantially constant distance therebetween, a second surface opposite the first surface and that is exposed to air, and a plurality of holes formed through the panel from the interior surface to the second surface, wherein in use, root balls of the plants are held in the holes with the plants facing the light fixture and the root balls of the plants exposed to air; and   the plant support structure comprises at least one vertical panel that is formed with a plurality of the holes, and the vertical panel is movable in a linear direction relative to the light fixture.   
     
     
         17 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The plant growing station of  claim 16 , wherein the vertical panel is a double sided panel having a plurality of holes formed on each side of the panel in which root balls of the plants can be held.