Substrate for cultivating plants, method for producing substrate, and use of substrate

Abstract

A substrate (1) for cultivating plants is described and shown, wherein the substrate (1) has a plurality of substrate grains (2). The problem of specifying a substrate for cultivating plants which is particularly simple to produce and which, moreover, improves plant growth is solved substantially by the fact that the substrate grains (2) consist at least partially of crushed, used brick, wherein the used brick has already been installed in brickwork in combination with lime mortar (4), in particular with plaster mortar and / or with masonry mortar.

Description

[0001] Substrate for cultivating plants, process for producing substrate and use of substrate

[0002] The invention relates to a substrate for cultivating plants, wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of substrate grains.

[0003] The invention also relates to a process for producing the substrate according to the invention.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a substrate according to the invention.

[0005] For the propagation and cultivation of plants, a substrate is required that provides sufficient minerals and nutrients for plant growth. In addition, a water-retaining effect improves the conditions for plant growth.

[0006] It is known from the state of the art to produce a corresponding substrate for the cultivation of plants based on clay or lava rock.

[0007] Such a substrate has the disadvantage that the production process is particularly complex, as the substrate base, i.e., clay or lava rock, must first be mined and then further processed to produce individual substrate grains. Furthermore, when using clay-based plant substrate, nutrients in the form of fertilizer or compost must be added to the soil.

[0008] From the state of the art of DE 10 2006 006 372 B4 it is known to use brick gravel from masonry rubble as decorative gravel for garden design or as drainage fill.

[0009] Furthermore, the article "Recycling of Masonry Rubble - Current Status and New Utilization Routes (Part 2)" by Anette Müller (DOI: 10.13140 / 2.1.3104.3204) describes the use of recycled building materials, predominantly made of brick, for vegetation-related applications. Mixtures of compost as a nutrient source and crushed brick rubble as a scaffolding material are described in detail.

[0010] Based on the prior art presented, the object of the invention is to provide a substrate for cultivating plants that is particularly easy to produce and that also improves plant growth. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a substrate according to the invention and the use of a substrate according to the invention.

[0011] According to a first teaching of the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a substrate as described above in that the substrate grains consist at least partially of broken, used brick, wherein the used brick was already installed in a masonry in combination with lime mortar, in particular with plaster mortar and / or with masonry mortar.

[0012] According to the invention, it was recognized that substrate made from used bricks, i.e. bricks that were already installed in a masonry structure and were removed during demolition of the masonry, is suitable both as a breeding ground and as a water reservoir for the cultivation of plants. It is relevant that the used brick was installed with lime mortar, so that over the years the lime has permeated the brick in its installed state, thereby increasing the brick's mineral content. Thus, the brick permeated with the lime mortar and thus also the substrate grains broken out of the brick form a breeding ground on which plants can be cultivated particularly advantageously. Furthermore, the substrate grains from the broken brick also serve as a water reservoir.

[0013] Furthermore, salts present in the brick due to freezing and thawing cycles, as well as pollutants created during the firing process, have already been washed out of the brick. The use of such a used brick to produce the substrate according to the invention thus also guarantees that such a substrate is free of pollutants and salts that are harmful to plant growth.

[0014] According to the invention, used bricks that have been built with cement are not used.

[0015] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, all substrate grains of the substrate according to the invention consist exclusively of broken, used brick. According to this embodiment, the substrate contains no additives, such as additional nutrients to improve plant growth. In particular, no chemical additives and no additional compost are present. The substrate thus consists exclusively of masonry rubble. Any residues of lime mortar present on the brick or the substrate grains made from the brick are not excluded according to this embodiment.

[0016] According to an alternative embodiment, the substrate comprises both substrate grains made of broken, used brick and other components, such as substrate grains made of a different material. This embodiment has the advantage that the substrate can be adapted for cultivation. For example, the substrate can be adapted to the conditions for cultivating small-growing plants or trees.

[0017] The used brick is particularly preferably in the form of a clinker brick. In the context of the invention, clinker bricks have the advantage of being essentially impermeable to water due to their manufacturing process. In any case, the used brick is a building brick and not a roof tile. It is also conceivable that the used brick is a clay brick or a field-fired brick.

[0018] According to a further embodiment, the substrate comprises both substrate grains consisting of broken clinker brick and substrate grains consisting of broken clay brick and / or substrate grains consisting of broken field-fired brick.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment of the substrate according to the invention, the substrate grains are at least partially interspersed with lime mortar. This embodiment ensures that the substrate grains contain sufficient nutrients for plant cultivation.

[0020] Particularly preferably, at least 20% of the substrate grains obtained from a used brick, preferably at least 40% of the substrate grains obtained from a used brick, particularly preferably at least 60% of the substrate grains obtained from a used brick, are interspersed with lime mortar. This design also ensures that a sufficiently high mineral content is available in the substrate to nourish the plants, so that the addition of additional components, such as compost, is not necessary.

[0021] A further substrate design is characterized by a grain size of between 5 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm. This grain size ensures, on the one hand, that sufficient material is available to nourish the plant, and, on the other hand, that the substrate is sufficiently manageable for its use and, moreover, provides a sufficiently large water reservoir.

[0022] Such a grain size is particularly advantageous for use in green roofs. Since the substrate grains according to the invention provide sufficient nutrients for a long period of time, the time-consuming, regular addition of nutrients is eliminated.

[0023] In the context of the present invention, the grain size of an individual substrate grain is understood to mean at least one direction of extension of the substrate grain. This takes into account that the individual substrate grains may not necessarily be substantially spherical, but may also be irregular.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the grain size of the substrate granules is between 1 mm and 10 mm. Smaller substrate granules are also suitable for cultivating plants, especially smaller plants. Furthermore, as explained in more detail below, the substrate granules can also be used, for example, as grit for spreading on ice and snow.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the grain size of the substrate particles is less than 1 mm. Such a fine grain size is suitable not only for plant cultivation but also as a spreading material.

[0026] Furthermore, it is advantageous if lime mortar residues are applied to at least some of the brick substrate grains. Such plaster residues from lime mortar increase the mineral content of the individual substrate grains and thus of the entire substrate. This ensures the supply of nutrients for a particularly long period when cultivating plants on this substrate. It also simplifies the dismantling of the used bricks to provide used bricks, since only a rough cleaning of plaster residues is required, or even no cleaning at all.

[0027] For example, the substrate can also be mixed with potting soil to improve the pH of the soil. This application also has the previously described advantage of improving plant cultivation through the use of the substrate according to the invention.

[0028] According to a second teaching of the present invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method described at the outset for producing a substrate according to the invention in that at least one used brick is crushed so that a plurality of substrate grains are formed, wherein the at least one used brick was installed in a masonry in combination with lime mortar.

[0029] The method according to the invention has the advantage that a substrate for cultivating plants can be provided particularly easily, since further processing of the substrate grains, for example adding additional nutrients, can be omitted.

[0030] The substrate produced by the method has the features of at least one embodiment of the previously described embodiments of the substrate according to the invention.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the process, the used brick is first removed from an existing masonry and provided as a used brick.

[0032] In order to adapt the substrate to different applications, according to a further advantageous embodiment, the substrate grains are sorted and / or filtered with regard to their grain size.

[0033] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the method, in a first filtering step, the substrate grains are filtered through a first sieve and through a second sieve, wherein the first sieve has a first passage opening size and wherein the second sieve has a second passage opening size, wherein the first passage opening size is larger than the second passage opening size, so that in a first filtering step, a first substrate with a first grain size and a second substrate with a second grain size are produced.

[0034] For example, the first aperture size is 16 mm and the second aperture size is 5 mm. If the first substrate is filtered through the second sieve, the first filtering step can thus provide a first substrate with a grain size between 5 mm and 16 mm and a second substrate with a grain size between 0 and 5 mm.

[0035] Optionally, the first substrate having the first grain size is comminuted again, wherein the substrate grains thus produced are filtered through a third sieve and through a fourth sieve, wherein the third sieve has a third passage opening size and wherein the fourth sieve has a fourth passage opening size, wherein the third passage opening size is larger than the fourth passage opening size, so that in a second filtering step a third substrate having a third grain size and a fourth substrate having a fourth grain size are produced.

[0036] For example, the third sieve has a third aperture size of 12 mm, and the fourth sieve has a fourth aperture size of 5 mm. Overall, the two filtering steps described above can produce a first substrate with a grain size between 5 mm and 16 mm, a third substrate with a grain size between 5 mm and 12 mm, and a second or fourth substrate with a grain size between 0 mm and 5 mm.

[0037] Optionally, the second or fourth substrate can be ground again and filtered in a third filtering step using a fifth sieve having a fifth aperture size. The fifth aperture size is smaller than the fourth aperture size. According to one embodiment, the fifth aperture size is 1 mm.

[0038] Of course, other grain sizes can also be realized by adapting the described processes.

[0039] According to a third teaching of the present invention, the object set out above is achieved by using a previously described substrate according to the invention for cultivating plants. Particularly preferably, the substrate according to the invention is used exclusively for cultivating plants. Specifically, the substrate is neither mixed with other components, such as compost, nor chemically treated. Rather, the substrate granules alone provide sufficient nutrients for plant growth and also serve as a sufficient water reservoir.

[0040] A particularly preferred use relates to the use of the substrate as a nutrient medium for green roofs, in particular flat roofs.

[0041] Another use of a previously described substrate is as a grit for spreading on ice and / or snow. Compared to conventional road salt, the substrate according to the invention has the advantage in this application that it not only has an anti-slip effect but can also be added to the soil after the onset of thawing, providing the previously described positive effects on plant growth.

[0042] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and developing the substrate according to the invention, the method according to the invention, and the uses according to the invention. Reference is made to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and to the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show:

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a substrate according to the invention,

[0044] Fig. 2 shows a further embodiment of a substrate according to the invention,

[0045] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of an inventive

[0046] substrate,

[0047] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of an inventive

[0048] substrate,

[0049] Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of an inventive

[0050] substrate, Fig. 6 an embodiment of a method according to the invention,

[0051] Fig. 7 shows a first embodiment of a use according to the invention,

[0052] Fig. 8 shows a further embodiment of a use according to the invention.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a substrate 1 according to the invention in a container 3. The substrate 1 has individual substrate grains 2 which consist of broken brick. In the illustrated embodiment, the brick is in the form of clinker brick. It is relevant that the clinker brick is a used clinker brick. This means that the clinker brick was already used in masonry. It is also relevant that the clinker brick was used in combination with lime mortar 4. This means that the lime mortar 4 has permeated the clinker brick over the years and thus increased the nutrient content of the brick for the cultivation of plants or even created it in the first place. As a result, the broken brick, and therefore the substrate grains 2, also contain sufficient nutrients to enable and promote plant growth.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the substrate grains 2 have a grain size between 5 mm and 16 mm. In addition, residues of the lime mortar 4 are arranged on and around some of the substrate grains, which in turn increase the nutrient content of the substrate 1.

[0055] The substrate 1 shown in Fig. 1 consists exclusively of broken brick. No additional substrate grains of any other material or other additives, such as compost, are present.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows another substrate 1 comprising a plurality of substrate grains 2, wherein the substrate grains 2 consist of different broken bricks. Part of the substrate grains 2 consists of broken clinker brick. Another part of the substrate grains 2 consists of broken clay brick, and a third part of the substrate grains 2 consists of broken field-fired brick. Lime mortar residues 4 are also present, arranged on different substrate grains 2. The substrate shown in Fig. 2 also contains no further chemical additives and is therefore suitable for plant cultivation in the state shown.

[0057] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of a substrate 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the previously illustrated embodiments, the substrate grains 2 have different grain sizes. The substrate 1 comprises substrate grains 2 with a grain size greater than 16 mm and, in addition, substrate grains 2 with a grain size below 5 mm.

[0058] The embodiment of a substrate 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 4 comprises substrate grains 2 which have a grain size between 1 mm and 10 mm.

[0059] The embodiment of a substrate 1 according to the invention shown in Fig. 5 comprises substrate grains 2 which have a grain size of less than 1 mm.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method 5 for producing a substrate 1 according to the invention. In a first step 6, the brick constructed with lime mortar 4 is removed from an existing masonry structure. Optionally, the brick is cleaned, whereby lime mortar residues may remain on the brick.

[0061] The used brick thus provided is then crushed 7. Optionally, the substrate grains thus produced are sorted according to their grain size 8.

[0062] For this purpose, in at least one filtering step, the substrate grains 2 are filtered into substrates with different grain sizes, for example using two sieves which have different opening sizes.

[0063] Fig. 7 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an inventive use 9 of the substrate 1 for cultivating plants 10. In the illustrated use 9, the plants 10 are cultivated exclusively on the inventive substrate 1. Due to the particularly high nutrient content of the substrate 1, the plants 10 can grow particularly well on this substrate. According to the use 9 illustrated in Fig. 7, the inventive substrate 1 is used as a basis for a green roof. For this purpose, the substrate is applied to a flat roof and then planted.

[0064] Fig. 8 shows a further use 9, wherein the substrate 1 is initially applied as grit on snow 11, where it has an anti-slip effect. After the onset of thawing, the substrate 1 penetrates the soil, where it then in turn improves the nutrient content of the soil for the cultivation of plants 10.

[0065] Reference symbol

[0066] 1 substrate

[0067] 2 substrate grains

[0068] 3 containers 4 lime mortar

[0069] 5 Process for producing substrate

[0070] 6 Removing a brick from a masonry

[0071] 7 Crushing the brick

[0072] 8 Sorting the substrate grains according to grain size 9 Use of the substrate for cultivating plants

[0073] 10 plants

[0074] 11 Snow

Claims

Patent claims 1. Substrate (1) for the cultivation of plants (10), wherein the substrate (1) has a plurality of substrate grains (2), characterized in that the substrate grains (2) consist at least partially of broken, used brick, wherein the used brick was already installed in a masonry in combination with lime mortar, in particular with plaster mortar and / or with masonry mortar.

2. Substrate (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that all substrate grains (2) consist exclusively of broken, used brick.

3. Substrate (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the substrate grains (2) are at least partially interspersed with lime mortar (4).

4. Substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least 20% of the substrate grains (2) obtained from a used brick, preferably at least 40% of the substrate grains (2) obtained from a used brick, particularly preferably at least 60% of the substrate grains (2) obtained from a used brick are interspersed with lime mortar (4).

5. Substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the grain size of the substrate grains (2) is between 5 mm and 16 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 12 mm.

6. Substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the grain size of the substrate grains (2) is between 1 mm and 10 mm.

7. Substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the grain size of the substrate grains (2) is less than 1 mm.

8. Substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that residues of the lime mortar are arranged on at least some of the substrate grains (2) made of brick.

9. Method (5) for producing substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one used brick is crushed (7) so that a plurality of substrate grains (2) are formed, wherein the at least one used brick was installed in a masonry in combination with lime mortar.

10. Method (5) according to claim 9, characterized in that the used brick is removed from an existing masonry (6) and provided as a used brick.

11. Method (5) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the substrate grains (2) are sorted and / or filtered (8) with regard to their grain size.

12. Method (5) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that in a first filtering step the substrate grains (2) are filtered through a first sieve and through a second sieve, wherein the first sieve has a first passage opening size and wherein the second sieve has a second passage opening size, wherein the first passage opening size is larger than the second passage opening size, so that in a first filtering step a first substrate (1) with a first grain size and a second substrate (1) with a second grain size is produced.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that in a second filtering step, the first substrate (1) with the first grain size is comminuted again and that the substrate grains (2) thus produced are filtered through a third sieve and through a fourth sieve, wherein the third sieve has a third passage opening size and wherein the fourth sieve has a fourth passage opening size, wherein the third passage opening size is larger than the fourth passage opening size, so that in a second filtering step, a third substrate (1) with a third grain size and a fourth substrate with a fourth grain size are produced.

14. Use (9) of substrate according to one of claims 1 to 8 for the cultivation of plants (10).

15. Use (9) according to claim 14, characterized in that Cultivation of plants (10) exclusively the substrate (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 is used, wherein the substrate (1) provides sufficient nutrients for plant growth.

16. Use (9) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the substrate is used as a nutrient medium for greening roofs, in particular flat roofs.

17. Use (9) in particular according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the substrate (1) is first applied as grit on ice and / or snow (11).

Images