Growing systems and methods

Abstract

Growing systems may include a number of modular growing chambers adapted to be configured in a stacked arrangement with each growing chamber surrounding a corresponding portion of the plant. The grow chambers may be selectively added or removed during plant growth, such that different sections of the growing plant may be influenced differently using aeroponic, hydroponic or other growing techniques. The grow chamber stack may be portable and provided with integrated or independent lifting devices to assist an operator in adding or removing chambers from the stack. Three growing processes may be facilitated using such systems. These include a process for producing assorted product from a single plant for simultaneous harvest, a process for producing an extended harvest of a desired size product from a single plant, and a process for extending the productive life of a plant and provide for multiple, continued, and perpetual harvest.

1 . A grow system for managing the growth of plants comprising:
 a plurality of grow chambers, each of the grow chambers being adapted to interconnect with one another to form a grow chamber stack;   each grow chamber being adapted to provide a controlled growth environment, separate from the growth environment provided by the other grow chambers in the stack, for a respective section of a single one of the plants when the grow chamber is positioned in the grow chamber stack;   at least two of the grow chambers each defining a respective plant section growth pathway extending through the respective one of the at least two grow chambers, the respective plant section growth pathways being vertically aligned when the grow chambers are stacked, the plant section growth pathways together defining a vertical growth pathway extending through the stack.   
     
     
         2 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers defines respective lateral growth pathways extending from the vertical growth pathway. 
     
     
         3 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers includes at least one sidewall and at least one access port in the at least one sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The grow system of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers includes a removable panel for selectively covering the at least one access port. 
     
     
         5 . The grow system of  claim 4 , wherein the access port includes at least one interlocking lip for engaging the removable panel. 
     
     
         6 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers includes at least two floor panels that cooperate to form a floor of the respective chamber. 
     
     
         7 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers includes at least one floor panel. 
     
     
         8 . The grow system of  claim 7 , wherein the at least two floor panels in each chamber include a recess formed therein. 
     
     
         9 . The grow system of  claim 8 , where the recess formed in each floor panel includes a gasket for interfacing with the plant. 
     
     
         10 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one grow chamber includes at least one lifting interface. 
     
     
         11 . The grow system of  claim 1 , further comprising a lifting station for selectively supporting one or more of the grow chambers in the grow chamber stack. 
     
     
         12 . The grow system of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame for supporting one or more of the grow chambers. 
     
     
         13 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the chambers includes elements for engaging an adjacent chamber in the stack. 
     
     
         14 . The grow system of  claim 1 , further comprising a nutrient distribution system for distributing nutrients to one or more of the chambers in the chamber stack. 
     
     
         15 . The grow system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the grow chambers comprises an integrated nutrient distribution sub-system for distributing nutrients in the grow chamber, wherein the nutrient distribution sub-system includes quick connect fittings for coupling the nutrient distribution sub-system to the nutrient distribution system. 
     
     
         16 . The grow system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the grow chambers in the stack are of identical construction. 
     
     
         17 . The grow system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support structure within at least one of the grow chambers for supporting a section of the plant. 
     
     
         18 . A process for managing plant growth comprising:
 providing a plurality of grow chambers, each of the grow chambers being adapted to form a grow chamber stack and provide a controlled growth environment for a respective section of the plant;   initiating growth of a starter product in a first one of the chambers;   installing a second one of the chambers above the first chamber to influence the growth of a first section of the plant;   installing a third one of the chambers above the second chamber to influence growth of a second section of the plant.   
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 11  further comprising the steps of producing assorted sizes of product from the plant by harvesting product from at least two of the chambers, the product in each respective chamber having a different maturity level, at approximately the same time.