GB2135165A

GB2135165A - Controlled growth of moss

Info

Publication number: GB2135165A
Application number: GB08303838A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dr Edmund Carus; John Tracey Scales
Original assignee: Vernon Carus Ltd; Institute of Orthopaedics
Current assignee: Vernon Carus Ltd; Institute of Orthopaedics
Priority date: 1983-02-11
Filing date: 1983-02-11
Publication date: 1984-08-30
Also published as: GB8303838D0; GB2135165B

Abstract

A method of growing moss comprises placing a single species of sphagnum moss (1) upon a support (4), placing the support adjacent a supply of hydroponic nutrient (3) and allowing the moss to grow into the nutrient. A mist spray (5) of water or nutrient may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Controlled growth of moss This invention relates to a method of growth of moss, particularly, but not exclusively to growth of pure species of sphagnum moss.

Sphagnum moss is particularly useful forformation of surgical dressings. The utility of sphagnum moss arises because of the unique structure of the leaves which comprise wide, elongated cells with perforated walls. These cells account for the high absorbtive capacity of the moss. A moss leaf can contain up to 20 or 25 times its own weight of water.

The perforated water storage cells are strengthened by internal spiral rings of elastic or resilient material.

Absence of impurities and contaminants is essential if moss is to be used as a surgical dressing.

According to the present invention a moss growing method comprises placing a single species of sphagnum moss upon a support, placing the support adjacent a supply of hydroponic nutrient and allowing the moss to grow into the nutrient.

More than one single species of moss may be grown by this method if convenient. The species of moss may be selected from Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum. Other species may be employed if convenient.

Use of hydroponic technique of cultivation obviates the disadvantages of conventional or natural moss cultivation due to variation in solar energy, temperature, availability of light and water, humidity and the presence of impurities or toxic substances in the soil.

The support and supply of nutrient are preferably contained in a chamber in which there may be apparatus for supplying a mist spray of water or nutrient. An artifical source of light may also be provided. The latter may comprise a lamp of the kind commonly used for horticultural purposes.

The support may comprise a perforated screen or mesh tray through which the moss may grow downwardly into the nutrient. Alternatively a rotating, perforated, cylindrical support may be provided.

A plurality of supports may be employed and these may be successively passed over a trough containing the nutrient.

The moss may be trimmed or completely removed from the support when desired, the subsequent product being suitable for drying and manufacture into surgical dressings or for any other use.

The method may be automated to provide constant control of the growing environment and automatic harvesting dependent on the weight or length of moss grown on the support. The age of the moss at harvesting may be selected to minimise development of large or thick stems, these being undesirable in surgical dressings.

The invention is further described by means of example, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 illustrates apparatus used in performance ofthe method; Finiirf! 2 illustrates a later stage in growth of the moss; and Figure 3 illustrates cutting of moss from the support.

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a trough 2 containing hydroponic nutrient3 contained in a chamber (not shown) having a light source 6 and a mist sprayer 5. A perforated support 4 disposed above the surface of the nutrient 3 carries a quantity 1 of a single species of moss. A plurality of supports 4 may be arranged to circulate within the chamber, passing successively over the nutrient and under the light source.

Figure 2 illustrates moss 7 growing downwardly into the nutrient 3 from the support. When a desired weight or length of moss is obtained the support may be removed from the chamber and the freshly grown portions 7 removed by cutting as shown in Figure 3. Collection and drying of the cut moss 7 may be automated. The support 4 and stock of moss 1 may be returned to the chamber for further growth.

A suitable chamber is the Land Saver "Mini-Eight" manufactured by Hydrodan Limited modified as described in the above specification.

CLAIMS (Filed on 1 Feb '84) 1. A moss growing method comprising placing a single species of sphagnum moss upon a support, placing the support adjacent a supply of hydroponic nutrient and allowing the moss to grow into the nutrient.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein the species is selected from: Sphagnum papiliosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support and hydroponic nutrient are contained in a chamber, the chamber further containing apparatus for providing a mist spray of water or said nutrient.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a perforated screen or mesh through which the moss may grow downwardly into the said nutrient.

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a rotatable perforated cylindrical support.

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a plurality of supports arranged to be successively passed over a trough of said nutrient.

7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the moss is removed from the support when it has attained a desired weight or length.

8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein more than one species of sphagnum moss is placed on the support.

9. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Controlled growth of moss This invention relates to a method of growth of moss, particularly, but not exclusively to growth of pure species of sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss is particularly useful forformation of surgical dressings. The utility of sphagnum moss arises because of the unique structure of the leaves which comprise wide, elongated cells with perforated walls. These cells account for the high absorbtive capacity of the moss. A moss leaf can contain up to 20 or 25 times its own weight of water. The perforated water storage cells are strengthened by internal spiral rings of elastic or resilient material. Absence of impurities and contaminants is essential if moss is to be used as a surgical dressing. According to the present invention a moss growing method comprises placing a single species of sphagnum moss upon a support, placing the support adjacent a supply of hydroponic nutrient and allowing the moss to grow into the nutrient. More than one single species of moss may be grown by this method if convenient. The species of moss may be selected from Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum magellanicum and Sphagnum imbricatum. Other species may be employed if convenient. Use of hydroponic technique of cultivation obviates the disadvantages of conventional or natural moss cultivation due to variation in solar energy, temperature, availability of light and water, humidity and the presence of impurities or toxic substances in the soil. The support and supply of nutrient are preferably contained in a chamber in which there may be apparatus for supplying a mist spray of water or nutrient. An artifical source of light may also be provided. The latter may comprise a lamp of the kind commonly used for horticultural purposes. The support may comprise a perforated screen or mesh tray through which the moss may grow downwardly into the nutrient. Alternatively a rotating, perforated, cylindrical support may be provided. A plurality of supports may be employed and these may be successively passed over a trough containing the nutrient. The moss may be trimmed or completely removed from the support when desired, the subsequent product being suitable for drying and manufacture into surgical dressings or for any other use. The method may be automated to provide constant control of the growing environment and automatic harvesting dependent on the weight or length of moss grown on the support. The age of the moss at harvesting may be selected to minimise development of large or thick stems, these being undesirable in surgical dressings. The invention is further described by means of example, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 illustrates apparatus used in performance ofthe method; Finiirf! 2 illustrates a later stage in growth of the moss; and Figure 3 illustrates cutting of moss from the support. The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a trough 2 containing hydroponic nutrient3 contained in a chamber (not shown) having a light source 6 and a mist sprayer 5. A perforated support 4 disposed above the surface of the nutrient 3 carries a quantity 1 of a single species of moss. A plurality of supports 4 may be arranged to circulate within the chamber, passing successively over the nutrient and under the light source. Figure 2 illustrates moss 7 growing downwardly into the nutrient 3 from the support. When a desired weight or length of moss is obtained the support may be removed from the chamber and the freshly grown portions 7 removed by cutting as shown in Figure 3. Collection and drying of the cut moss 7 may be automated. The support 4 and stock of moss 1 may be returned to the chamber for further growth. A suitable chamber is the Land Saver "Mini-Eight" manufactured by Hydrodan Limited modified as described in the above specification. CLAIMS (Filed on 1 Feb '84)

1. A moss growing method comprising placing a single species of sphagnum moss upon a support, placing the support adjacent a supply of hydroponic nutrient and allowing the moss to grow into the nutrient.